mechanic – Hardway Learning

Replace your own brake pads and rotors!

You’re at the mechanic for a routine check-up or maybe an oil change and the mechanic says it is time for new brakes! This is what happened with Hunter’s girlfriend. She was told her brake pads are worn out and she has warped rotors. They also said that her ball-joint needs replacing and gave her a final quote of $1200.

YIKES!

This is a 2006 Pontiac G6 with only 40,000 miles on it.

So Hunter and I did what we always do, we learn how to do it ourselves.

Here we show you how to replace your rotors and brake pads all the way around the car. We also talk about troubleshooting whether or not you have a bad ball-joint.

Tools:

Jack
Jack stands
Ratchet set
Wrenches
Flat head screw driver
Bolt cutter (Side cutter would work, but this is what we used)
Rubber mallet
Extra set of hands
C-Clamp

Parts:

Rotors for the front
Rotors for the rear
Brake pads for the front
Brake pads for the rear
Control arm (If it actually needs replacing)

One thing that may not have been clear in the video is that you can use a C-clamp to compress the piston to make way for the fresh pad that is thicker than the old worn out ones.

Stolen google image (https://i0.wp.com/www.2carpros.com/images/articles/brakes/front_caliper/compress_caliper.jpg?resize=453%2C337&ssl=1) — Stolen google image (https://www.2carpros.com/images/articles/brakes/front_caliper/compress_caliper.jpg)

Also we did not talk about the pad retaining clips. They pull out easily, pay attention to orientation before you pull them out. Brake pads usually come with fresh replacements. They should be placed before putting the pad back in.

Stole this from google (https://i0.wp.com/www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/MINI/33-BRAKES-Brake_Pad_Replacement/images_med/Pic17.JPG?resize=580%2C435) — Stole this from google (http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/MINI/33-BRAKES-Brake_Pad_Replacement/images_med/Pic17.JPG)

Anyways, thanks for reading!

HWL

Oil Change

Everyone should learn how to change oil on their car. It is simple maintenance to keep you on the road. Many oil change companies push the “every 3000 miles” rule like it is a 10 commandment from the bible. Here at Hardway Learning we know that the owner’s manual tells no lies. This is why they have engineers designing the cars inside and out. They would not tell you the improper oil change intervals because that would only mean that their reliability can no longer be trusted. If anything their intervals would be on the safe side to what is actually necessary. Most cars these days only need to be changed every 7500 miles. I personally like to change mine every 5000 miles because this is easiest for me to remember. (120k, 125k, 135k, etc.)

This video will teach you how to change the oil on your car.

Tools:

-Ratchet set

-Strong hands

-Towels to clean up oil

-Cat litter

-Ramps or jacks and jack stands for your car

-Appropriate amount of oil you need for your car (This can be found in your owners manual)

-Oil filter (Use the manual at the store to locate your model and year to locate the appropriate filter)