Rear Brakes 88 GT 5spd

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   I have never done a brake pad replacement on my car (or any car) before. I do know a fair amount about fieros but just recently started doing hands on stuff. Earlier in the year I adjusted my parking brake so it will hold better and tried to make sure the pads were not touching at all using the instructions from my old schools service manual. Well last week I decided to look at my brakes for no apparent reason and noticed my rear drivers side brake pads are significantly worn compared to the other wheels. I have about 80% life left on the rest and about 10% on this wheel and deminishing fast. I promply purchased new pads and intended to do both rear sets of pads myself but I dont know how. I tried to do a little research online but found little info. What tools do I need, do I need to purchase anymore parts? I hope to do this by the end of the weekend because this is my daily driver. Thank you very much.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
88FieroGT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 March 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 78	Post Options Post Reply Quote 88FieroGT Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Rear Brakes 88 GT 5spd Posted: 07 December 2007 at 10:01pm
	I have never done a brake pad replacement on my car (or any car) before. I do know a fair amount about fieros but just recently started doing hands on stuff. Earlier in the year I adjusted my parking brake so it will hold better and tried to make sure the pads were not touching at all using the instructions from my old schools service manual. Well last week I decided to look at my brakes for no apparent reason and noticed my rear drivers side brake pads are significantly worn compared to the other wheels. I have about 80% life left on the rest and about 10% on this wheel and deminishing fast. I promply purchased new pads and intended to do both rear sets of pads myself but I dont know how. I tried to do a little research online but found little info. What tools do I need, do I need to purchase anymore parts? I hope to do this by the end of the weekend because this is my daily driver. Thank you very much.

Capt Fiero Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Founding Member Joined: 12 February 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 4039	Post Options Post Reply Quote Capt Fiero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 December 2007 at 3:38pm
	Well if your car is an 88 it is a bit more of a pain but still doable. The only tools you will need is the socket to undo the calipers, and a caliper turn in tool. The caliper turn in tool is pretty cheap and can be bought at Lordco for under $20, this will allow you to turn the piston in as you push. If you try to just push the piston in, you will destroy the rear calipers. Your other option is to just buy new calipers. The cost is not too bad with exchange I think it was around $220. Might be cheaper. The only reason I suggest new rear calipers is that 50% of the ones that I have heard of being done, the seals go bad as soon as you start mucking around with them. It just an age thing. Feel free to give it a shot and if you can do it yourself and nothing leaks, you are ahead of the game, however if they do go bad, there is really nothing short of buying new rear calipers. When I say new it means new or remand. Remand are just used calipers that are cleaned up, rebuilt and sent out with at least a 1 year warranty. Most calipers you will find will be remand. As NEW never used 88 calipers are basically non existent and at last check were $500 Each. Kinda sucks, but that is the cost of owning an 88.
	Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd.

88FieroGT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 March 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 78	Post Options Post Reply Quote 88FieroGT Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 December 2007 at 3:51pm
	Thanks I think I'll go buy the turn in tool and give it a shot. I'll let you guys know how it went.

88FieroGT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 March 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 78	Post Options Post Reply Quote 88FieroGT Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 December 2007 at 5:15pm
	I got the part and the number is kd 3163. The guy there said he never uses one of these tools so he had alot of trouble finding it. I was reading the haynes manual and it said to remove the parking brake cable from the caliper. It showed how to do it but is it necessary to remove? I got a little confused on how to take off the caliper, remove the old pads, and put the new ones in. Do I need to grease the sliding pins? It also said to use a water pump clamp to remove the retaining springs. Do I need the clamp or can I use something else. Thanks very much for the help.

88FieroGT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 March 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 78	Post Options Post Reply Quote 88FieroGT Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 December 2007 at 10:17pm
	Well an update...after a couple trips to napa to get the right torx socket, I was attepting to take off the caliper, I just couldn't get upper one off. While I was in there I noticed the inner pad had more than half of its life left but the outer was near metal. I found that weird because I read somewhere online that the inner usually wears faster than the outers on a Fiero. I'm in Alberta now so I will try again when I get back. That'll be awhile from now so I'll update after I get back. Also while I was in there I noticed there is little to no rust on the frame (yay) but the outer coating on my parking cable has rusted through but the cable itself is ok, and it still works. Its only rusted where the cable rubs against the rail. Could I just take off the rust and cover it with something while I'm in there for the brakes? Thanks. Happy Holidays.

Capt Fiero Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Founding Member Joined: 12 February 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 4039	Post Options Post Reply Quote Capt Fiero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 December 2007 at 2:41pm
	Yep a lot of people just use standard rubber hose cut a slit down the middle and slide it over the cable housing.
	Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd.

Fire451 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 February 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 318	Post Options Post Reply Quote Fire451 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 19 December 2007 at 10:10pm
	sounds like you have a sticking caliper, usually it means that you need to replace the rear calipers and when you do make sure you lube up all the contact areas

88FieroGT Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 March 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 78	Post Options Post Reply Quote 88FieroGT Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 April 2008 at 8:27pm
	After another attempt to take the caliper off (and failed) I took my car into the garage today where I work and replaced both rear calipers. At the time when I started this thread, I did not work here. I got two refurbished 88 calipers for $95 each (got at cost and little labour from our mechanic. He showed me how to do all this and had me do some work. Great learning experience! Anyway they are working great now and all I have to do is break them in. Thanks for all the help everyone.

Capt Fiero Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Founding Member Joined: 12 February 2007 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 4039	Post Options Post Reply Quote Capt Fiero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 April 2008 at 9:24am
	Congrats, always nice to hear when a Fiero owners begins to learn to do things himself. I always warm people, if you don't know how to work on cars, don't buy a Fiero. The cost of repairs on a 20 year old car, can be equal or even greater than the price of a car payment on a newer car. A Fiero belongs in the hands of a weekend mechanic at the very least.
	Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd.