Has anyone ever replaced their own brake pads and rotors?

[Julpost]

My 2005 Town and Country van has been making grinding noises when I apply the brakes. It's been doing this for at least a month now and I'm finally taking it seriously. I know, not very smart!

Anyway, we don't have the several hundred dollars it would cost to have the brake pads and rotors replaced so I'm thinking of getting a Haynes manual and letting my dh at it! I'm nervous, I've never done the DIY route before with a vehicle. But I see no other way.

Has anyone else done this and could you make me feel a little more comfortable??

[j.griff]

My dh started doing our brakes after a neighbor told him it was possible, 13 years ago. It has saved us tons of money. See if your library has the manual you need, that'll save some $ too.
You can take the rotors to an Autozone or similar autoparts store and have them "turned", they usually don't need replaced. Then you would just need to change the pads, and possibly add more fluid.
:D

[Sandy in Indy]

My dh always does ours. Saves a ton of money.

[Tammy]

if you had your brake pads done in a timely manner :(

I guess we all live and learn.....I did, LOL!

Tammy

[Julpost]

I know....I feel like an idiot, I really do.

One of the biggest lessons that I'm the densest with is the foolishness of procrastination. I have listened to these brakes grind for at least a month. I am kicking and kicking myself....

I am also thankful that maybe God is being merciful to me (again) and showing me how we can do this without spending money we really don't have.

I hope I will learn this time!

Thanks for all the encouraging replies!

[3lilreds in NC]

He says it's easy to do. They're easy to get to, I guess. It will be OK, I promise, and you will be delighted with how much money you save. :)

[LMA]

Did you have the brakes evaluated? The pads may only need changing or even just a cleaning? Don't jump to the conclusion that your rotors are bad. How many miles are on the car?

[Miss Peregrine]

My dh always does ours. Saves a ton of money.

Yep.

[Miss Peregrine]

Also, if you don't let the rotors get too bad, you can have them turned rather than replaced. Dh takes them to an auto repair and they charge a few dollars to turn them.

Sounds like yours might be too far gone, but you can always check first.

[kalanamak]

even after you get out the screw that keeps them on when the wheel is off. I've had to put liquid wrench on the screw and use an impact screw driver (one you hit with a mallet...designed for it) and THEN soak the rotor with liquid wrench and THEN get out a propane torch and warm and cool the thing a few times before I could whallop it off. If you don't have many tools, please don't open this sucker up unless you know someone who does, and you can get to them. (Car on jacks will not get you there...hint).

[KristineIN]

Does your dh do other repairs, if yes, then I say could do the brakes. We have a Dodge caravan & my dh did the brakes not too long ago.

Kristine

[Audrey]

My dh is really good with repairing things. It saves oodles of money. As far as the difficulty level of brake pads & rotors -- if you can change your oil, you can do this, too. I'd recommend looking for solid instructions to help. I say that, yet, my dh never, and I mean never, reads instructions. http://easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/free-rolleye-smileys-323.gif (http://easyfreesmileys.com/Free-Rolleye-Smileys/)