[SirAlec]

The Car (Bakra) : '99 M800.

DIY Job : Front Brake Pad install

Tools and Stuff required: Wrench, Tool kit (mainly No12), A screwdriver strong one (Taparia will do, I used this as I lend the special tool to a neighborhood mechanic and he lost it), Jack (hydraulic preferred), Jack Stand, Wheel wrench.

Skill level:
1. Very easy, a 10 minute job. But safety precaution is a must.

The Work (mere MASS owner friend ke peth pe lath)
My beloved 800 had crossed 17k kms since its engine overhaul. The front brake-pad is almost 21k kms. So what better way dirty your hand on a lousy cold Sunday.
Replacing the front brakepad is a very easy job. If you know how to change a tire you might as well want to take your skills level one step further and change the front pads. You don't need to bleed the brake lines while you replace the front disc, if your brakes were working properly prior. Its the rear drum that are bit problematic.
All you need is the right tools for the job. You don't even need a special tool that most MASS uses. You can do away with a strong screwdriver. The special tool mentioned is a front brake piston compressor.


Enjoy.
PS: Images are taken with a BB by one of my boys. So please don't mind the quality.

Jack up the car on a plain surface remove the wheel. Before that don't forget to pull the handbrake and put a stopper/brick/stone at the rear tyre.


Remove the caliper bolt (below one) with a no.12 socket. Loosen the top bolt (do not remove).


Lift the caliper and remove the worn out pads with a flat head screwdriver.
by prying it sideways by using the disc/rotor as a leverage.



Check the difference between the new and old pads




Because the pads were worn and thin the piston is way too outwards.


Open the Brake Fluid reservoir bottle cap. This is important as if the lid is closed shut it will not let you contract the piston even if you have a build structure of Dabang Salman.




Refit the Caliper without the pads. And put a screw driver as shown below.
And with some effort push it inwards until the piston goes completely inside. Be careful as this process needs a bit of strength and if not done properly you may hurt yourself. If you have the special tool this process is much easier.





Piston is completely contracted inwards.


Install the brake pads and refit the caliper and tighten the two caliper bolts.


Disclaimer
team-bhp or me is not responsible if you are cheap like me and try this out and loose your limb or sight in the process.

Jack up the car on a plain hard surface, Use hand brake, if you have a jack stand its even better as if anyhow jack fails the car will not fall flat.

If brake line bleeding is a professional procedure, If in any case you need to do this, do it in supervision of an expert.

This procedure is for replacing front brake pads of m800, but the theory is almost same in every car that has disc.

As with all DIY, you should know exactly what you are doing.

Thanks for reading

[SirAlec]

The following illustrations show how this tool works.



Old worn out pad used as a leverage along with the special tool to push the piston inwards.


A much better quality tool. Any help in finding this particular one.? Thanks


PS:
These images are taken off net and not captured by me.

[Mpower]

Great job Sir Alec. What brand pads are these.

Ive always used a good ol C clamp to push the piston and it works just fine.

Another tip is to inspect the caliper boot for cuts or tears. Clean and lube the slider pins with grease.

Originally Posted by SirAlec

The following illustrations show how this tool works.

[SirAlec]

TVS-Girling brake pads. MGP ones.
Yup C clamp will work just fine. But i have a small one.

Didn't wanted to make the thread lengthy and complicated. Hence left the greasing part.

Will post in near future the whole wheel servicing bit when i do it. (all four)

[thedreamcatcher]

Thanks for this Sir Alec. Very interesting and detailed indeed.

I have been intending to open up my front brakes for quite sometime now, as i feel they have worn out. Will try it this weekend. May PM you if i need assistance. This is for my Accent front discs

[anky]

This thread other than the clean wagonr air filter thread is one of the most practical and useful threads , also please tell me which is the best brake pad for alto lxi 04 and m800 1997 . Thanks.

[SirAlec]

Both KBX and TVS-Girling makes good brake pads.

I prefer TVS, though.

[KMT]

SirAlec
Loved your disclaimer- it is a classic.
A useful post too, I have a question though, is there a risk of air getting in the line during this procedure?
Cheers
KMT

[narayanang76]

SirAlec: Thanks for a detailed informative thread.

Recenttly on my NHC (Honda City ZX Variant) which is run 27K KM Honda guys suggested replacement of pads (Front only), did that but frankly I dont see / feel any difference to the effect on braking - no issues also observed. Took it back to Honda they did some inspection, told some cleaning done, but still the same (no differene) - no issues also.

From then I wanted to inspect the break pads (doudbtful if they changed the pads at the first place - even though they handed over the old pads after replacement). I wanted to do that myself - will refer to this thread while doing that.

I have 2 questions though:
1) Brake pads last this much only - 21K Km in your 800 & 25K Km in my Honda City (I remember reading some posts in TBHP forum brake pads living upto 40K Kms - that possible?). Is this a recommended practice of changing the pads every 20-25K Kms? I know the thickness of the pads a critical factor to consider in replacement.

2) Can you please eloberate on closing the brake fluid reservoir - is there anything to take care? Any air bubbles / airlock to avoid any future issues with this DIY?

Many thanks
narayanang76

[SirAlec]

Originally Posted by KMT

SirAlec
Loved your disclaimer- it is a classic.
A useful post too, I have a question though, is there a risk of air getting in the line during this procedure?
Cheers
KMT

No! As you can see the circuit is completely closed while changing front pads.

Originally Posted by narayanang76

SirAlec: Thanks for a detailed informative thread.

Recenttly on my NHC (Honda City ZX Variant) which is run 27K KM Honda guys suggested replacement of pads (Front only), did that but frankly I dont see / feel any difference to the effect on braking - no issues also observed. Took it back to Honda they did some inspection, told some cleaning done, but still the same (no differene) - no issues also.

From then I wanted to inspect the break pads (doudbtful if they changed the pads at the first place - even though they handed over the old pads after replacement). I wanted to do that myself - will refer to this thread while doing that.

I have 2 questions though:
1) Brake pads last this much only - 21K Km in your 800 & 25K Km in my Honda City (I remember reading some posts in TBHP forum brake pads living upto 40K Kms - that possible?). Is this a recommended practice of changing the pads every 20-25K Kms? I know the thickness of the pads a critical factor to consider in replacement.

2) Can you please eloberate on closing the brake fluid reservoir - is there anything to take care? Any air bubbles / airlock to avoid any future issues with this DIY?

Many thanks
narayanang76

Brake-pad, just like clutch is a consumable part. It depends upon the usage. We live in hills, brake usage is a lot, i mean a lot. My wifes's cars last less than 20k. So its a matter of how you use the car. If you wait till its completely worn out, then you have to change the rotor, which is an expensive part. Normally stick to the owner's manual service chart. They are best help for any layman. During these 27k kms did you go for the wheel servicing (all four). Also brake fluid flush is a must, as it looses its property after some time. I am sure your car is older than 2 years old. If the brakes were fine, and the fluid level at max level, there is no chance of getting air into the system if your from piston, master and slave cylinder are fine without any seal leakage. Hope this helps you.

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by narayanang76

Is this a recommended practice of changing the pads every 20-25K Kms? I know the thickness of the pads a critical factor to consider in replacement.

There's usually a window on top of the caliper which lets you look at pad thickness. If center groove is missing (worn thru) then you need a new pad.