Forums
Forum Tools
|
 |
01:18:03 - 12/20/2024
General Dakota Board
| From | Message |
Bobarito
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/08/2007
15:59:26
|
 Subject: Bad Rotors
IP: Logged
Message:
I have 85K on my 2000 dakota, and I think I need to turn/replace my front disc
rotors. I had it done once around 50K.
How difficult is it do do some of the work involved in this myself? Of course I
can't turn the rotors, but would a novice be able to inspect them, decide if I need
new ones or have them turned, and install the new rotors?
How difficult is this, and would there be any $$ savings involved?
|
Lee
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/09/2007
16:00:46
|  RE: Bad Rotors
IP: Logged
Message:
I have a 2000 2WD Dakota, and the job is very easy. A 4WD might be more involved, so if that's what you have you will want to look it up in the book or wait for another response. I recommend getting a repair manual for your truck in any case, as you need the torque specs and repair procedures. Only do one brake at a time so you have an example of how things go back together.
To remove the rotor:
Jack up the front of the truck and support it with jack stands.
Do a push-pull test on the tire to check for play (bad ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, and wheel bearings can be discovered this way). If there is no discernable play, everything's ok.
Remove the tire. Oh yeah, put the front end back down and loosen the lug nuts. I use an impact wrench to remove lug nuts, so I don't have to do that.
Remove the two caliper slide bolts. They use an allen wrench (sorry, I don't have the size, but I think it's metric).
Remove the caliper and support it so that it doesn't hang from the brake hose.
Remove the rotor.
The hub has sealed bearings and uses a single axle nut to hold it in place. The rotor is a separate piece that comes off on its own once the tire and caliper are out of the way.
The brake pads are 'glued' to the caliper with some anti-squeal goop. This goop can be purchased at any auto parts store (I use the orange stuff). Grab some caliper grease for the slide bolts while you're at it. You need silicone grease. I use Sil-Glide or something similar to that. Again, check the manual for the materials needed.
As far as determining whether to replace the rotors or have them turned, check the prices. These days there's little difference, so it's often better to just replace them. I had an awful time with the Raybestos stuff squealing, so I switched to Bendix. Much better!
Be sure to remove some of the fluid from the master cylinder's reservoir with a turkey baster or similar device before compressing the pistons in the calipers (use an old brake pad and a C-clamp to compress the pistons - squeeze the piston all the way in). When you compress the pistons, the fluid that was in the calipers will flow back into the master cylinder and pour out everywhere if the reservoir fills up.
That's all I can remember for now.
Lee
|
Bobarito
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/09/2007
16:59:14
| RE: Bad Rotors
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey thanks a lot Lee, that helps a lot. I may just tackle this myself.
I'll pick up a service manual today.
|
OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/09/2007
20:45:30
| RE: Bad Rotors
IP: Logged
Message:
My kid did my rotors. Both sides. Took 45 minutes start to finish. The job is very easy to do.
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
|
