weneversleep

I just got my C5 Z06 a couple of weeks ago. I'm taking it to the track this weekend, and even though my brake pads haven't come in yet, I wanted to do a "dry run" of changing the brakes, so I won't be fumbling around at the track (if necessary).

I can't believe how easy it is to change pads on this car! One single bolt and the entire caliper rotates up. Pads come right out. Easy to compress the pistons.

I only did the front, but I assume the rears are the same.

Now, I'm not a mechanic, but I've changed brake pads on an S2000, E36 M3, and an Evo X. I thought the Brembo fixed calipers were easy, but you still had to put grease on the pad ears, which added a lot of time. Plus, getting the pad spring in while inserting the pins was a bit of a challenge, even after a lot of practice. Hey, I said I wasn't a mechanic!

I can tell I'm going to love this car...

vms4evr

The rears don't swing, you need to remove both bolts and pull the caliper back. Still very easy. The back is a single piston in the caliper.

Omaha02Z06

I remember the first time I changed pads on a car with Brembo’s how much of a PITA it was getting the spring back in right but was eaiser the next time. Changing pads on a buddy’s Mazda 6 was the worst. It took a special socket and the damn bolts were rusted in.

novafx4

I've heard that changing brake pads and/or your own oil is a gateway activity. It's been proven to lead to other activities such as installing your own headers, adding a supercharger or doing a complete H/C/I swap.

Proceed at your own risk and be careful.

onspeed

What pad spring are you speaking of? I don't recall any spring coming out when I did my brakes..

Omaha02Z06

The big metal spring that’s in the middle of Brembo calipers that’s held in place by the two long pins.

z06scentair

weneversleep

Well, this isn't my first rodeo. I know what I'm good at, and turning wrenches isn't one of them. I _like_ working on cars, but I'm all thumbs when it comes to doing the work. I write computer software, and I can do complex multithreaded programming; I'm good at abstract thinking, not working with my hands.

I keep trying, though, and compared to most people these days, I guess I can do a lot of car projects.

RDnomorecobra

yes they are. Be sure to lube those caliper pins once in a while too ... just takes another minute while you're in there.

weneversleep

How do you do this? Do the pins pull out of the boots? Are they bolted in? (that's how they were on the BMW floaters)

jpalamar

Yes, the pins just pull out.

ysb02

Pad changes are easy. Rear rotor changes are a PITA if the emerg brake shoe comes loose.

GeorgeZNJ

Literally a 10 minute pad change once the car is in the air. I was pleasantly surprised this weekend when I went to do the pads on my 06 ram truck and found dodge took a page out of Corvettes book and the calipers work the same way, 1 pin, swing the caliper down and out come the pads.