Technical Changing discs and pads- tips?

[dry]

My 1.9 150 57 Bravo failed it's MOT yesterday- brake pads were below minimum (I should have noticed, I know!), there was a (43%! ) brake imbalance on the rear axle, and the osf pad/caliper was binding to the disc.

I've bought replacement discs and pads for all 4 corners and hope this will fix the imbalance/sticking problem. Wondered if any of you have any tips before I start to avoid mistakes? Although I'm fairly confident mechanically, it'll be my first time doing brakes.

I've done some reading and know about the possibility of an inverse thread on the rear calipers- is it fairly easy to tell if you're winding the wrong way? Will I feel resistance?

Also I'll put some copper grease on the back of the pads when installing them. Is it recommended to spray the caliper piston with anything to prevent sticking?

Thanks

 

[dtwelve]

make sure the front pads are the right size was changing discs and pads on bro fronts to find out they sent the wrong pads even thou they were the right serial number and they were brembo

 

[bravo86gaz]

Front caliper pistons simply push back, rears both turn TOWARD** front of the car - drivers side clockwise - passenger side ANTI-clockwise,

Lubricate the caliper slide pins (copper grease is usually used however some say it's not suitable due to reacting with the rubber covers)

Don't be surprised at a seized caliper, you'll know it's seized when no matter how hard you try it won't go back

 

[dry]

Thanks for the tips. I successfully (ish) changed both pads and discs on the front axle today. The bolts for the caliper bracket were extremely tight and needed a long wrench to get enough leverage, and some heat to loosen them up.

I stripped one brake disc retainer bolt whilst trying to get it out, so had to hacksaw off the head in the end. They don't appear to serve much purpose other than to guide the wheel when removing/replacing so I won't loose too much sleep!

I'm still waiting for the rear discs to arrive in the post so am yet to do the rear axle. Will let you know how I get on!

 

[dry]

Rear discs arrived and I started swapping them over. Got discs and pads replaced successfully on both sides of the rear axle but couldn't get the piston wound back in on the offside.

Ended up taking the caliper off but still couldn't wind the blinkin piston back in (I was definitely turning the correct way!) so have ordered a new caliper @ £51

Looks like I'll be learning how to bleed brakes too! Yipee......... :bang:

Am getting a bit nervous as the limit for a free retest for my MOT is a week tomorrow (Wednesday) and I've still got to get 3 tyres replaced after getting the brakes sorted.

 

[bravo86gaz]

£51 is cheap for a caliper, bleeding it will be easy as well (doubt the rest will be) recommend one of the eazibleed kits as well (fill bottle with clean dot4 fluid, pipe through the lid until submerged in fluid then air is pushed out/fluid drawn in when your assistant pushes pedal in)