Questions on Front Brakes
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 114,550
Likes: 0
From: At The Beach FL
Questions on Front Brakes
A couple of questions on Front Brakes:
1) How much should a front brake job cost? Dealer quoted over $400 :confused:
2) How long should front brakes last under "normal" driving conditions?
3) What pads should I use to replace with?
Thanks. SeaFive :cheers:
1) How much should a front brake job cost? Dealer quoted over $400 :confused:
2) How long should front brakes last under "normal" driving conditions?
3) What pads should I use to replace with?
Thanks. SeaFive :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,030
Likes: 10
From: Prescott AZ
St. Jude Donor '04
Re: Questions on Front Brakes (SeaFive)
Do it your self and save like $300. It actually real easy just pull the wheels off and unbolt the caliper. Take old pad's off add new ones. Reverese install.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,224
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OK
Re: Questions on Front Brakes (Wicked C5)
I am pretty sure the $300 you are talking about include new pads and misc. brake items as well as a brake flush and fill. When I was thinking about swapping out my calipers for red Z06 ones, they quoted me this price. Personally, I have no idea how to bleed the brakes and re-fill... I would like to learn but messing with the brakes is kind of scary to me.
You can however do the pads yourself. Like previously stated, you can unbolt the caliper (leaving the brake line on) and swap out the pads. Looked easy when I watched! :D
Patrick :seeya
You can however do the pads yourself. Like previously stated, you can unbolt the caliper (leaving the brake line on) and swap out the pads. Looked easy when I watched! :D
Patrick :seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington DE
Re: Questions on Front Brakes (SeaFive)
SeaFive:
This is a very easy DIY job that would take me about 30 minutes for both front brakes. If you're only using your car for street use the the factory pads are fine and you can buy them at a discount from Fichtner Chevrolet here on the Mall. No special tools are needed, and on the front brakes, you don't have to completely remove the calaper to change the pads.
The cost will be the cost of the pads and your time. Regarding the miles between brake jobs, it really depends if you are a "foot dragger" and do a lot of unnecessary braking, or use your engine to help slow the car when appropriate. Auto trans also will usually require more brake use that the manual trans. My 1991 Vette has 40,000 miles on it and still has the original pads, and it's an automatic.
As far as bleading the brakes, it is also a very simple job, and once you know how to do it, you'll wonder why you're paying all those $$ out for someone to do such an easy job. I love to work on my Vettes. Try it, you'll like it and you'll get to know you Vette much better. :cool:
This is a very easy DIY job that would take me about 30 minutes for both front brakes. If you're only using your car for street use the the factory pads are fine and you can buy them at a discount from Fichtner Chevrolet here on the Mall. No special tools are needed, and on the front brakes, you don't have to completely remove the calaper to change the pads.
The cost will be the cost of the pads and your time. Regarding the miles between brake jobs, it really depends if you are a "foot dragger" and do a lot of unnecessary braking, or use your engine to help slow the car when appropriate. Auto trans also will usually require more brake use that the manual trans. My 1991 Vette has 40,000 miles on it and still has the original pads, and it's an automatic.
As far as bleading the brakes, it is also a very simple job, and once you know how to do it, you'll wonder why you're paying all those $$ out for someone to do such an easy job. I love to work on my Vettes. Try it, you'll like it and you'll get to know you Vette much better. :cool:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,145
Likes: 1
From: Bradenton FLORIDA
Re: Questions on Front Brakes (SeaFive)
I did mine at 30k miles due to warped rotors. The pads still had good life but replaced them as well. It took about 30 minutes plus a trip to the local auto parts store to have the rotors turned (while I waited), Pads were $65 dollars or so from Napa, and the rotors cost $12 each to turn. About $100 total includeing the gas and the end result is as good as any shop. ( I used to wrench at a Olds/Pontiac/GMC dealer 27 years ago!)
Step by step is easy...good experiance for all C5 owners. :cheers:
Step by step is easy...good experiance for all C5 owners. :cheers:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 162
From: Louisville KY
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C6 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Re: Questions on Front Brakes (TLewis4095)
I've never done a c5 brake job, but my experience with other cars is you need a C clamp to push the caliper piston in so the new pads will fit. Also any break job I do, especially on my vette will involve turning my rotors. :yesnod: If you don't have them turned you could face warpage and or pedal vibration later. After you're done if the brake pedal feels spongy you have to bleed them ;)
[Modified by pjazz, 11:14 PM 1/23/2002]
[Modified by pjazz, 11:14 PM 1/23/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,145
Likes: 1
From: Bradenton FLORIDA
Re: Questions on Front Brakes (pjazz)
A larger lat blade screwdriver (go easy so you don't damage the piston or break the screwdriver) wedged between the old pad & rotor and gentely pry until the piston is fully retracted does it also. If done right should only marr the old pad.
