DIY Brake Pad Replacement - How to Change Pads and Avoid Common Mistakes

Doing your own brake job, if done properly can save a lot of money. But if a brake job is done improperly it could very well cost more than if a professional was paid to do the job to begin with. I've done hundreds of brake jobs in the last 25 years as a Master Auto Technician and in this article I'll outline some of the basics. I also point out some common mistakes that beginners and even pros can make when doing a brake job.

Pulsating?

If the car shakes when the brakes are applied, this means that the brake rotors are warped. Excessive side to side run-out causes the car to shake especially when stopping quickly from highway speeds. The rotors can be machined or resurfaced to make them true again as long as they are thick enough. If there is no pulsation or brake shake, brake pads can be replaced without machining them. In my experience though, if machining or replacing the rotors is not done when doing a brake job, most of the time there will be excessive squeaking noises after a very short time. I recommend taking care of the rotors by having them machined or replaced when doing the brake job.

Lifting the Car Safely

Sounds a little too basic doesn't it? I've seen many people under cars without having a jack stand in place for safety. Hydraulic jacks are great, but what if one slips or fails in some way while someones under the car working? I can't emphasize enough the importance of having the car safely raised with a jack stand in place, just in case the car falls for some reason. A jack stand under the car is very important for anytime work is to be done under the car, like for oil changes, starter replacement or any other job that could crush a person if the jack failed. I once worked with a mechanic that was changing his starter at home. His hydraulic jack had a slow leak and before he realized that the car was lowering gradually onto him, he was pinned under the car and couldn't get out from under it. The compressing of his chest only allowed him to take very shallow breaths of air, which limited his ability to cry for help! Luckily a friend stopped by, saw what was happening and raised the car for him. If not for luck this could have had a totally different outcome, his mistake could have cost him his life.

Removing Wheels, Calipers and Rotors

After removing the wheels find the caliper bolts and check to see what type of head the bolts have to determine what tools will be needed. Common fasteners will have either regular bolt heads, allen or torx. Typically there will be two bolts holding the caliper and two bolts holding the caliper bracket. Usually just the caliper can be removed if just replacing the brake pads. Suspend the caliper with an elastic cord or something similar to prevent the weight of the caliper from possibly damaging the brake hose. If the rotor is being removed to be machined or replaced most of the time the caliper bracket will need to be removed as well. Rotors will either just slide off or on older style setups will be held on by the wheel bearings. Most cars today will have rotors that slide off. The wheel bearings on this design are not serviceable, meaning they are lifetime greased and can only be replaced when they fail so they are not repacked with grease during a brake job like in the past.

Pushing the Piston

Pushing the brake caliper piston back in is required to install the new brake pads. The piston slowly extends out as the brake pads wear. This is why no brake adjustment is needed for the disc brake system, it's basically self adjusting. Big channel lock pliers can be used to compress the piston back into the caliper. There are also brake tools that can be used to push the piston back in. A big C-clamp used to be my favorite method for returning the piston back into the caliper. If working on rear disc brakes, a piston wind back tool like the KD 41540 (one of DenLors best sellers) is usually required to push and turn the pistons back in. It is recommended to open the brake bleeder screw when pushing the piston, this allows it to go back in easier and prevents possible damage to the master cylinder and/or ABS (Anti Lock Brakes) pump or valves from forcing old fluid back into the system. Closing the bleeder valve immediately after the caliper piston is pushed back in will insure that bleeding the brakes will not be necessary. If dust boots in the caliper are broken, caliper replacement is necessary. Broken boots will allow moisture and dirt to enter the surrounding area of the piston and will cause it to stick or seize. There are slides on some caliper brackets that can freeze up or seize also that can cause uneven pad wear. The slides should be taken apart and lubricated with silicone gel or disc brake grease. The slides must work freely for the brakes to work properly.

Installing the Brake Pads and Calipers

Take note of any possible differences in left side brake pads and right side brake pads. Also there is sometimes differences in inboard and outboard brake pads. Obviously the friction part of the brake pad goes towards the rotor. My uncle a long time ago, before I ever started working on cars did a brake job on his Cadillac. I remember hearing that he placed the brake pads in backwards! He ruined his brake rotors. It seems like an impossible mistake, but when you're not familiar with what you're doing anything is possible. With aftermarket brake pads, most of the time they will come with their own noise insulators that fit onto the back of the pads. Some will have adhesive backs that will have plastic to peel off before installing, others may have tabs built into them. Note that if these are supplied, the OE (Original Equipment) pad insulators will not be re-used. After the pads are in place, be careful not to TWIST the brake caliper hoses when putting the calipers back on. It's a common mistake to twist them and the hoses can kink on turns.

Pump the Brake Pedal!

After everything is back together, it's time for a test drive. But first pump the brake pedal before putting the car in gear! The pedal will go to the floor and you may be headed for a crash if you don't. When the pedal is pumped the pistons are pushed out and the pedal becomes firm. There was an auto technician that I worked with that forgot to pump the brakes after doing a brake job. He backed out of his service bay, when he hit the the brakes the car kept going and he drove into the car that was half way up on the rack behind him. It broke the rear window of the car he was driving, luckily there was no other damage.

There are many types of brake systems but most disc brakes are basically the same. Following the steps I've listed here should help in replacing your brake pads. But if you are not completely confident, it's always a good idea to ask a friend that has some hands on experience to help guide you through your first brake job.

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www.coastalnissan.com SOLD - Ifyou are looking for real value on a great used car, Coastal Nissan invites you to come in and test drive this 2006 Nissan Xterra, stock# 1139A. We are conveniently located near Boston Weymouth, MA and known for our great selection, reliability and quality. Come take a look at this 2006 Nissan Xterra today. Coastal Nissan 109 Accord Park Drive Boston Weymouth MA, Nissan 800-562-9993 Coastal Nissan came about in 2001 when Richard Walker and Tom Norton decided to go into business together, leveraging their combined 30 years in the automobile industry and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. Boston Weymouth Maxima Altima Dorchester Pathfinder Norwell Massachusetts Murano Cube MA 02061 Cambridge Brockton Braintree This ONE OWNER vehicle just came in. Complete with SATELLITE READY radio, POWER windows, locks and mirrors, drivers and passengers air bags for safety, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, am/fm radio with cd player, luggage racks, RUNNING BOARDS, FOG LIGHTS, alloy wheels and remote KEYLESS entry. This vehicle has been trhough our service department. We replaced the front and rera brake pads and rotors, the battery, the engine air filter, the wiper blades, rotated the tires and performed an oil and filter change. Call today to test drive this GREAT vehicle....................

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PART2 of 3 showing how to change landrover defender discovery and range rover classic wheeelbearings wheel hubs and brake discs. Tips on what to do and what not to do. lots more on www.LandroverworkshopDVD.com www.Diy-Dvds.com www.Spanish4X4Expedition.com

2008 Nissan Pathfinder in Boston Weymouth, MA 02061 - SOLD

www.coastalnissan.com SOLD - Ifyoure looking for real value on a great used car, Coastal Nissan invites you to come in and test drive this 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. Were conveniently located near Boston Weymouth, MA and known for our great selection, reliability and quality. Come take a look at this 2008 Nissan Pathfinder today. Coastal Nissan 109 Accord Park Drive Boston Weymouth MA, 02061 800-562-9993 We look forward to serving you! This ONE OWNER just came off lease. Complete with NAVIGATION, DVD SYSTEM, SATELLITE READY radio with cd player, dual power memory LEATHER HEATED seats, auto climate control, rear ac, adjustable pedals, cruise control, traction control, driver, passanger and side air bags for safety, power windows, power locks and power mirrors. You'll also get a sunroof, luggage racks, running boards, tow hitch, fog lights, alloy wheels and remote keyless entry. This vehicle has been through our service department. We replaced 3 tires, replaced the rear brake pads, replaced the engine air filter and performed an oil and filter change. Come down and test drive this vehicle today.

1995 Buick LeSabre Brake Pad Repair

stores.channeladvisor.com Click the above link to find the brake pads for your vehicle. In this video we'll show you how to replace your old brake pads with a new set.

Auto repair videos: How to Change Brake Pads

Summary:www.know-car.com auto repair videos When changing brake pads on a car, make sure the car is jacked up, remove the bolts on the caliper and remove the brake pads. Replace brake pads in a car with help from an auto mechanic in this free video on car maintenance and repairs.

Replacing Brake Pads and Making Adjustments on MadDog brakes

Replacing Brake Pads and Making Adjustments on MadDog brakes www.goped.com

Tips to Help You Car Last Longer

Buying a new car today can be really expensive. Therefore, getting the most out of the car you already have may be your best option. Here are some of the simple tips to help make that possible.

1) Check the manual to find out what type of gasoline is recommended then stick with that type of fuel. Filling your car with regular gas when it calls for premium it can cause your engine to start knocking and this will destroy the engine. Filling your car with premium gasoline when it calls for regular grade you not only waste gas and money but it can cause problems as well.

2) Don't let your gas drop below a quarter-tank if the car has a fuel injection system. When turning corners you can interrupt the flow of fuel causing pump problems.

3) Replace your fuel filter every 10,000 mile or two year which ever comes later. Keeping the fuel clean helps to maintain long engine life.

4) Take it easy and drive smoothly. Flooring the gas to leap ahead and slamming on the breaks to a screeching halt will put wear and tear on the engine, transmission, suspension and brakes.

5) Let your car warm up before taking off and especially before turning on the air conditioner and heat or you will cause unnecessary engine wear.

6) Remember to keep the oil changed. Changing your oil every 3,000 miles or three months whichever comes first.

7) Switching to synthetic oil will offer superior protection for your car. Although it is more expensive it offers longer protection for your car some up to 12,000 miles.

8) Do not use oil additives. They don't reduce the wear on your engine and they don't boost performance.

9) Change your brake fluid every two years or 24,000 miles. If you have anti-lock brake system you should change it once a year.

10) Power steeling fluid should be changed every three years or 30,000 miles whichever comes first.

11) Keep an eye on the anti-freeze. It keeps your car running strong especially in cold weather. It also prevents rust and corrosion. For the best results use 50-50 anti-freeze-water mix using distill water not tap water. Change it every two years or 24,000 miles.

12) Replacing the battery six months before it is due to expire. A weak battery will cause alternator and starter problems.

13) Replace timing belts every 60,000 miles.

14) Turning your air conditioner, your heater and defroster on and running them for a few minutes every two weeks to keep them clog-free.

15) Protection for your car during extreme weather to prevent weather damage. Using a windshield cover to help protect the dashboard and prevent weather damage. Use silicone spray a couple times a year to help protect the weather stripping and rubber surfaces.

Saving Money on the Cost of Automobile Travel

Ways to save money are all around us, we just have to be open to using them. Finding ways to cut back on spending is sometimes as simple as examining our habits. Choose one part of your budget and find new ways to save money, then move on to another category. Soon all aspects of your budget will be adding more money to your savings account.

Use a few of these ideas to save big on your automobile travel.

[1] Slow it down.
Studies have shown that the faster you go the more gasoline your vehicle will use. Lower your speed to put savings in your pocket.

[2] Use your brakes less.
Less speed is one way of cutting down on using your brakes, avoid tailgating is another. Not only do you burn more gasoline each time you use your vehicle's brakes, you also ware out the brake pads faster, too.

[3] Do regular maintenance on your vehicle
Keeping your filters, belts and tires in the best condition can make a big difference in the fuel use of your vehicle.

[4] Do not let your vehicle sit and idle
If you know you are going to be stopped for more than 30-60 seconds,[not counting time waiting at signal lights] turn your motor off. The motor only needs about 5 seconds of fuel to restart, anything over that is wasting fuel and your money.

[5] Check for alternate routes
If you travel the same route to work or events, look for other routes. Sometimes we can find shorter routes or less fuel use ways. Look for routes with less signal lights, pot holes or hills to climb. All these things cause you to use more fuel. Saving one dollar a day is 365 dollars in a year. Do this with 5 different everyday events and you will have saved $1825.00 in one year.

[6] Lighten the Load
All of us carry little used items in our vehicles. Unload them, put them in the garage, where they belong. Every extra pound of weight you carry in your vehicle, adds to your fuel cost.

[7] Roll down the windows
Air conditioning can account for 25% of your fuel cost. For slow city travel, roll down the driver's window a few inches and the back passenger window on the opposite side for increased air flow. When going faster, close the windows and turn on the ventilation fan. Only use your vehicle's air conditioner on high heat days.

Using one or several of these suggestions will not only lead to more money in your budget but less ware and tare on your vehicle, allowing it to last longer before it needs replacing, thus meaning more savings.

How to Bleed Your Brakes - Traditional Method

If you had to replace a caliper or brake line then chances are you introduced air into the brake system which causes the "mushy" or soft feeling in the brake pedal. This is not only an inconvenience but a safety issue also. There are many ways to bleed your brakes; the traditional method will be demonstrated in this article. It is by far the cheapest alternative but also the most difficult. It requires two people to work together in unison. This is a great opportunity to work with a loved one or a best buddy. Other methods will be illustrated in other articles. To bleed your brakes, follow the steps outlined below.

1. Loosen the wheel lug nuts and raise the vehicle with a jack as outlined in our article titled "How to Replace Disc Brake Pads and Rotors" and place jack stands underneath.

2. Completely loosen the lug nuts and remove the wheels.

3. Locate the bleeders on the 4 calipers. We will start with the caliper or brake cylinder if you have drum brakes in the back that is farthest from the master cylinder.

4. We will have to loosen the bleeder ensuring that we don't break it. To do this, spray rust penetrant very liberally onto the 4 bleeders letting them soak for as long as possible. Then lightly tap the bleeder with a hammer to jolt the rust loose. Now grab your 8mm wrench or deep well socket/ratchet and loosen the bleeder. You don't need to take the bleeder off, simply loosen it about half a turn.

5. Obtain a clear rubber hose that will fit snugly over the bleeder and route it to a drain pan as brake fluid will be dripping down into it.

6. Now find a helper who will sit inside the car to assist you in the brake bleeding process.

7. Now close the brake bleeder

8. Open the cap on the master cylinder and monitor the brake fluid during the bleeding process. Ensure that you keep it full while bleeding because if you let it go down too low it will cause more air to get into the system, thus forcing you to start over.

9. The person inside the vehicle will press the brake pedal firmly 3 times and will count every time. However, on the 3rd time he/she will keep the brake pedal depressed. So when your helper is between counting 2 and 3 you will want to open the bleeder, thus allowing brake fluid to escape the system. The reason why we wait till the 3rd time is to allow brake pressure to build up in the system.

10. Tell your helper to hold the pedal down on the 3rd count giving you time to close the bleeder so that air doesn't get into the system.

11. Simply repeat steps 9-10 at that caliper/wheel cylinder until you see clear fluid (no air bubbles) escaping the clear vinyl/rubber tubing.

12. That was the right rear (RR) wheel. Now continue on to the left rear (LR) wheel. Then to the right front (RF) wheel. Then to the left front (LF) wheel.

You have now successfully bled all 4 corners of the car and your brake pedal should be much firmer then it was previously. If not, you could have improperly bled the brakes, a leak may be in the system, or the master cylinder could be damaged internally. If these steps seem a bit too much for you, look out for future articles demonstrating simpler ways to bleed your brakes, but will require you to spend money on supplies and tools.

Chillin

Cruising, doing vinces oil change and replacing his rotors and brake pads, glenn comes over to chill, raised the tsx because school starts soon and theres no time for breaking necks :)

The Possible Causes of Automotive Air Conditioning Problems

Although many people usually take the air conditioning in their cars for granted, until it stops working correctly, of course, the truth of the matter is that this is a rather important part of your vehicle with many vital components that must be maintained on a regular basis. If you've ever sat down in a car that's been sitting in the sun, you are already well aware of just how necessary a functioning air conditioning system really is.

While the push of a button is all it takes to turn the air conditioner on in your car, there are many different components working in tandem behind the scenes to produce the cool air we've come to rely upon, and any one of these may cause the system to not work properly. Fortunately, the air conditioning in cars made today are usually highly reliable systems with very little problems occurring, however, the most common difficulties are either no cool air or simply not enough cool air flowing from the vents.

No Cold Air

No cold or cool air at all coming from the air conditioner's vents may mean any one of the following problems:

- A blown fuse
- A broken drive belt
- A clog in the expansion valve
- A clogged refrigerant line
- A clogged receiver-drier line
- An existing defect in the expansion valve
- A slow leak in the hoses or seals
- A loose drive belt

Not Enough Cold Air

An insufficient flow of cool air coming from the A/C may signal another set of problems, including:

- A clogged condenser or evaporator
- A loose drive belt
- A low refrigerant charge
- A partially clogged expansion valve
- A partially clogged filter
- A problem with the compressor clutch slipping
- A slow leak somewhere in the system, such as in the hoses or seals

While it is completely normal for some refrigerant to leak from a car's air conditioning system, larger leaks may indicate a bigger problem with the compressor's seal or damage to one of the components.

Caring for Your Car's Air Conditioner

Although most repairs for air conditioning systems in cars will require special tools and equipment that many of us do not own, there are still several things you can do to keep your car's A/C running at its full capacity. Regular maintenance checks, according to the recommendations in your car's owner's manual, are important as the system contains many moving parts and components that must be checked for damage or disrepair.

Many newer makes and models of cars come equipped with filters within the duct portion of the air conditioner that are in place to trap dust and pollen before it reaches the air in the car. Although these may be rather beneficial for those people who suffer from allergies, depending on where you live and the air quality and pollution levels, the filters may fill up quickly and cause a reduction in airflow.

While there may still be enough refrigerant in place to cool the air, the clogged filter will impede the flow, making it too weak to cool down the inside of the vehicle. Directions for changing this filter and where to purchase new ones should also be in the owner's manual.

Even air conditioning systems without this special filter in place can experience reduced airflow because of trapped dirt, pollen, and moisture that may eventually turn to mold, further aggravating allergies.

If there is a musty odor coming from the A/C vents just after turning the system on, this may indicate the presence of mold which could be blocking the system's evaporator. The air might feel cool, but the flow won't be strong enough to cool off the entire car. A mechanic will be able to remove the parts necessary to clean, such as those leading to the evaporator, with certain chemicals needed to dissolve the build-up.

Even if you live in a cold climate and don't need to use your car's air conditioner very often, many mechanics recommend running the system for at least ten minutes per month to keep the moving parts within the compressor properly lubricated. The compressor is also used in many types of cars when the defroster is used, so you may not have to actually run the air conditioner at all.

Brake Pads Install and Cleaning Youtube2

onthethrottle.tv Brake Pad Installation on a Suzuki GSX-R600 by Dave Moss of Catalyst Reaction Suspension and OnTheThrottle.TV. Part 2

History and Techniques of Car Paint Repair

When you scratch or dent your car, removing the paint in the process, you have five options regarding the car paint repair from which to choose.

The first option , primarily for more extensive damage - is to take your car to a paint repair specialist (bodyshop or crash repair centre) to fix the damage and repaint the affected area. Usually this type of repair job can take several days.

The second option , primarily for minor damage (and if the car paintwork is not damaged) - is to have a paintless dent removal technician work on it, which will be much faster, cheaper and convenient as their mobile service personnel can come to you at a suitable time, rather than you going to them during your working hours.

The third option is to use a SMART repair technician (small to medium area repair technique) as these paint repair technicians specialise in minor repairs such as bumper scuffs and small scratches.

The fourth option is to attempt to do the repair job yourself, although this only solves the paint repair, not the actual dent or scratch itself. It goes without saying that if you're not experienced in this type of work, you could end up doing more harm than good, with a result that is a lot worse than when you started!

And the fifth option is to do nothing and leave it as it is. Of course, that doesn't really solve anything, but it doesn't cost you anything either. However, it is recommended that you at least "touch in" any scratches to prevent rust forming.

Which method of repair you choose depends on several different factors: the cost, the make of the car, the extent of the damage, and your car insurance cover.

If you don't have much money, then the first car paint repair option is eliminated. However, if your car is a Porsche, where the paint job comprises 21 different stages to ensure its durability, you may find the first repair option the only viable one available for major damages.

If the extent of the damage is minor, then the second or third paint repair options become the most practical, although the rather primitive touching-up method will always show much more so than the method of paintless dent removal followed by touching in, which is designed to disguise the damage to almost invisible. It is important to note that paintless dent removal is largely used when there is very minor or no paint damage.

Whichever method you choose, it is still hard to believe that the "paint" used in Auto Industry paint repair originated from a substance comprised of items such as berries, blood, plants, soot and ash, during the cave men era.

As the demand for vehicle paint increased dramatically, technologists were commissioned to discover faster ways of applying paint to automobiles. The three days needed for the numerous coats of standard paint to dry was hampering supply and a damaged car needing car paint repair was taking almost as long as a new one to finish!

Aside from perfecting the spray gun so that greater quantities of paint could be more accurately and evenly dispersed over the shell of a car, "dilutable" paint resins incorporating water were produced. These were more environmentally-friendly than previous ones, releasing water into the atmosphere upon drying instead of organic solvents and are still the ones used today.

Later, tiny metallic pieces which when administered would only be a depth of 15 microns (15 millionths of a metre) were added as well as pigments to the paints to vary the car paint palette and choice of car paint repair materials. To finish, a clear coat of protective resin was introduced over the paintjob to seal in the paint, add to durability, and give it that lustrous shine.

This explains why when you take your car to a garage it takes so long, why paintless dent removal is such good value, and why when you do a "touch up" car paint repair job yourself, it looks so noticeably different from the original manufacturer's paintjob.

Ultimately, the idea is to try to avoid needing vehicle paint repair by driving safely and carefully, whilst still enjoying your pride and joy on the roads

Diagnose & Repair a Cracked Cylinder Head : Cracked Cylinder Diagnosis: Pressurize the Cylinder

Pressurize a cylinder with a suspected problem with an air compressor to check for bubbles in the radiator to diagnose a cracked cylinder head; learn how in this free auto-restoration video. Expert: Doug Jenkins Bio: Doug, of Doug Jenkins Custom Hot Rods, not only servers the entire nation, but even customers outside the US have found the shop's services indispensable. Filmmaker: Ross Safronoff

2000 Ford Expedition -- Brake Pad Replacement - Part 1

2000 Ford Expedition -- Brake Pad Replacement. more at www.reinsmith.net

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justKAMPERS is the one stop shop for all your VW camper and beetle needs. This video shows you how to remove, check and replace the front brake pads on your VW T2 Bay Window. See all our videos at www.justkampers.com

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RayGun Technology make the best motorcycle brake rotors ever created for Harley Davidson and soon, other types of motorcycles as well. RayGun Technology guarantees the surface finish of their rotors for the life of your motorcycle when used with their brake pads. A proprietary Atomic-Forging process creates unprecedented levels of hardness and wear resistance keeps chrome looking like chrome, with no flaking, scuffing or wear.

Money Saving Tips to Lower Your Driving Costs

In hard economic times we need to make every dollar stretch as far as we can but sometimes, to save money, you have to spend a little money. This is especially true where your car is concerned. Simple low cost maintenance procedures and driving habits can save you a lot more money over the long run.

An unknown author came up with the acronym B-L-O-W-B-A-G that makes it simple to remember how to take care of the most important features on your car.

B = Brakes - Worn brake pads can damage the brake rotors leading to more expensive repairs later on.
L = Lights - It is easy and cheap to change your own light bulbs and good lights can prevent a collision by making your car more visible. Keep extra bulbs in your glove compartment just in case.
O = Oil - Oil changes are cheap and, when done on schedule, will extend the life of your engine. Make sure you use the manufacturer's recommended oil type. Check your oil level often and keep an extra bottle handy just in case.
W = Water - Check your water level and make sure you use the recommended coolant for your engine. Check your radiator for leaks and make sure your windshield washer reservoir is full.
B = Battery - Check for corrosion on your battery terminals and, if your battery is not sealed, check the water level and replace it with distilled water when necessary.
A= Air - Check your tire pressure when the tires are cold. Maintaining proper air pressure will prevent wear on your tires and extend your gas mileage.
G = Gas - Make sure your gas gauge is showing the proper level and use the proper octane level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Other money saving tips to remember include:

Tires - Rotate the tires every time you get your oil changed. Rotating your tires will prevent excessive wear and extend the life of your tires. Check the tread; worn tires can cause you to skid on wet roads or they can blow out and possibly cause a collision.

Suspension System - Making sure the springs and connections are in good working order will help extend the life of the vehicle and prevent more expensive repairs later on.

Reduce your insurance rates by attending a defensive driving course or traffic school - In some states, voluntarily attending a defensive driving course can help you reduce your insurance rates. It can also help you improve your driving habits and thus prevent more wear and tear on your vehicle. Check your state laws to see if you are eligible.

Drive the speed limit - Speeding, just by a little bit, won't save you much time and it can cost you money. For example; a ten mile trip at the posted speed of 40 mph will take 15 minutes. Driving 5 mph over the speed limit will only save you a little over a minute but it will cost more gas, create more wear and tear on the engine, and possibly lead to an expensive speeding ticket.

Replacing VW Ceramic Brake Pads, Removing Calipers

Bringing your VW car to a mechanic will give you less hustle in labor. Replacing your deteriorated brake part may be very labor intensive. But for car owners who want to save money for an auto repair, doing it yourself is the answer, regardless of the labor and time it will incur you.

A guide, like this, for replacing your VW ceramic brake pads and removing calipers will help.

First, you will need materials such as wrenches, jack, jack stands, wire brush, screwdriver or pry bar, pliers or vise grips, hammer, large C-clamp, high-temperature lubricant, latex gloves, and of course, new brake pads.

Gather together all those mentioned tools and supplies before you begin. Allow plenty of time to do the job so you don not have to hurry and cram. Safety is important whenever you are working around machinery. So, beware of hot objects, sharp instruments and hazardous materials. Though economizing in terms of money is your goal, do not substitute tools unless you are sure you will not compromise either your safety or the performance of your vehicle. Say for instance, never work on a vehicle that is only supported by a jack. Use jack stands to support the vehicle while you are working. Work on a solid and level surface. Never jack a car up on dirt or grass. Do one wheel at a time so you can use the other wheel as a reference in case you get confused. Check for any fluid leaks or cracked brake lines. If there is any, replace them as necessary.

Brake linings contain asbestos. Avoid creating or breathing dust when changing the linings or cleaning the parts. Use water to wash down the brakes before starting and wear gloves to avoid prolonged contact with your skin. Any contact of these materials to your skin may have bad effects.

To finally start, remove about half the brake fluid from the master cylinder and put it into a sealed container. Dispose it off properly. Do not reuse old brake fluid. Always use fresh brake fluid from a sealed container. Brake fluid messes up with paint so do not get it on your vehicles finish. If you do, wash it off with plenty of water. After all, brake fluid is water soluble.

Using a lug wrench, crack the wheel lugs. You need to loose one or two turns. Do not remove them completely. Jack one side of the vehicle up and support it with a jack stand. Do the same for the opposite side. Remove the lugs and then take the wheels off.

You might ask yourself how to remove the calipers. Listed are the steps on how to.
For the floating caliper, remove the two caliper guide pins or bolts. Look at the locations and positions of any bushings or guides so that they can be reinstalled properly. Rock the caliper back and forth to push the piston back enough to slide the caliper off. The floating caliper is now ready to be removed. By using a large C-clamp, push on the inboard pad to move the piston back into the caliper. Do it slow and steady. If you did not remove half the brake fluid, make an appointment to have your vehicle repainted.

Another type is the sliding caliper.

A support key or retaining clip holds the caliper to the caliper bridge. Remove the retaining bolt or screw holding the key. Then, drive the key out with an appropriate tool. Note the position of any springs or clips before you remove them. The retainers will simply lift off. Observe and note the position of the retainers before you remove them. After this, the sliding caliper is now ready to be removed. Through the use of a large C-clamp, push on the inboard pad to move the piston back into the caliper. Do it slow and steady. If you did not remove half the brake fluid, make an appointment to have your vehicle repainted.

The sliding caliper can also be removed by separating the pads from the caliper. The inner pad must be clipped to the piston. The outer pad may be pinned, clipped or pressed tightly on the caliper. Some pads may remain on the adapter or anchor when the caliper is already removed.

Clean the caliper mounting surfaces with a wire brush and remove all the rust and dirt. The sliding surfaces must be as clean as possible for proper brake operation. You need to wet down the area with water to prevent dust from sticking. Allow parts to dry.

Fixed Caliper, on the other hand, can be removed by removing the caliper mounting bolts only if the pads will not come out the back of the caliper. Push back the piston before removing the old pads. Again, if half the brake fluid was not removed, make an appointment to have your vehicle repainted.

Check the rotor or disc for scores, rusting or pitting. It is recommended that the rotors be resurfaced to remove any imperfections and true up the braking surface to prevent brake pulsations. Then, remove the pads from the calipers and remove any pins or retainers. Push pads back and pull them out.

You are done replacing your VW ceramic brake pads and removing calipers. Labor intensive, but money saving.

BMW Wheels

Fast and speedy driving with your super model BMW car merely depends on strong and strapping wheels. Wheels should be the most quality and efficient part of any vehicle. It shows the output of all other parts works with automobile. There is wide range of wheels present in the markets all over the world. This product is considered highly demanding due to maximum use of it above all other parts and equipments of the vehicle. Your BMW car can become more efficient by replacing the dull and used wheels by newly designed and high quality. Aftermarket companies provide their specialized and valued products and ensure their customers about the best performance and long time usage of these wheels. Your super machine can become road star if it has strong and efficient working wheels.

Wheels perform dual task while working with your cars, first and the major task is to give best performance by delivering strong grip on road and controlled steering. One should be assenting and watchful about the wheels that purchased for replacement. Your car's efficiency sometimes depends on the conditions of the roads where it operates. Rough and unbalanced roads make your vehicles exhausted and the main parts that can get hurt be ups and downs and roughly driving is wear outs and wheels. When you are always busy on roads than wheels become first and foremost precedence to look after and sometimes need of replacement come about. On the other hand if somebody with his or her luxuries BMW want to maintain each and every outfits at excellent conditions than the first thing came into mind is to examine the wheels and replace them when it is needed.

BMW is one of the most famous brands of the world and many of its cars ranked among top luxuries models. Customers who are passionate and affectionate for their special car mode, extremely wants to have a better and more stylish looking view for their cars. Wheels comprise of different materials and aftermarket manufacturing companies provide superb and best quality of these parts with durable and sturdy life of wheels. Now replacing the old and dumped wheels are not left an issue. A lot of wheel making companies are placing their quality and specialized products on their websites and ultimately it is now so easier and remarkable to buy all your desired products at your door step.

Now the wheels, manufactured by aftermarket companies are developing the standards and providing comparatively exclusive services to the customers. All other parts related to functions of engine and speed, productivity output comes from tires and it is also a matter of style so wheels are responsible to show the both things. It is recommended to check and monitor the physical conditions after some period of time. For a better and stylish change it is sensible to replace the existing old wheels by newly furnished and quality wheels. Aftermarket wheel manufacturers make all the wheels on the same advance standards as the parent company provides, but these parts provide the best for the needs and demands of the customers. Wheels are available of any suitable size that your require for you BMW vehicle. On internet it has become easier to select and purchase, and all your selected parts and equipments is easily provided to your doorstep.

BMW Wheels