Need detailed step by step help w/ changing brake pads/rotors

Tomorrow night I plan to install my new Hawk ceramic brake pads and new Powerslot slotted rotors. I've created this thread so that when I run into problems tomorrow night hopefully I'll have answers. I've read some write-ups and watched a few videos and I think I have a general idea of the entire process. I do have a few questions though:

1. Do I need to take off the master cylinder cap?

1. If I do take off the master cylinder cap so the fluid level can rise when I compress my pistons, will air get into my lines?

2. By removing this master cylinder cap, is this going to prevent potential problems with damaging the ABS?

Steps:
1. Remove clips and pins
2. remove master cylinder cap
3. slowly pry back pistons with old pads in using a screw driver
4. take out old pads
5. insert new pads (grease the back of the pads)
6. install the pins and clips

Am I forgetting anything?

 

Dont forget the brake grease and the grinder. You will need to grind off all the old gunk from your rotors, then put a light coat of brake grease on the rotors to keep them from squeeling.

 

You put grease on the rotors? That sounds like a bad idea?

 

Yea, go into NAPA and ask for a tube of brake rotor grease, they will know.

 

Aight will do.

 

I'm sorry.... what?

 

Don't do it, never put grease on the rotor.!!!!!! NEVER EVER PUT GREASE ON THE ROTOR! You put the grease on the back of the pads(as in the part that doesn't touch the rotors). Apply brake squeal stop to the backside of the pads. it acts as a damper so that when the brakes arent pressed and instead are rattling around ever so slightly at speed...the brakes dont chatter.


The auto parts store has brake grease in packets or a tube. You only apply it to the back of the pads. One packet is enough for 2 wheels.

 

I am sorry guys, I couldnt help it. Correct... DO NOT PUT GREASE ON YOUR BRAKES AND DO NOT GRIND YOUR ROTORS. I wasnt going to let it go on for long. I am an asshole, I know. I wish I could have seen peoples faces though...


They do have some anti-squeel grease for the back of your pads though.

 

I havent done my Taco pads yet but your procedures sound correct for the most part. The rears are differant as you have drum brakes in back. Also very easy.

 

I was like "he has to be drunk!"

 

not funny, but it is!

 

LoL OK, at least I am not the only that found that funny.

 

haha I knew it! and yet he still got me. shows how much I know I guess lol.

 

Just thinking about some noob reading that & doing what you wrote. And not seeing you were kidding.

 

excellent video on you tube of a tacoma front brake job....

 

you might want to get some of this before you get started http://youtu.be/WLlGcNlseR0

 

Yeah I've seen that 1st gen video on youtube. Are the 1st gen and 2 gen brakes pretty similar?

 

If I take off the master cylinder cap am I going to have to bleed the brakes?

 

no

 

You may want to wrap a rag or old towel around the open brake reservoir before you compress the caliper piston. Just in case it overflows the reservoir, you don't end up with brake fluid everywhere.