Any 'special tools' needed for changing pads & discs

[gorrie]

I've just ordered up pads & discs for front & rear. I've changed pads on previous cars before and from memory the front piston was normally easy enough to push back in, whilst the rear needed wound back (I normally just used a screwdriver across the face of the piston to do that).

Never changed pads on an elise before... and thinking about it, I don't think I've ever changed discs on any of my cars before.

Is there any special tools I'm going to need for this? Or are the pistons pushed/wound back in the same manner, and just a case of undoing the bolts for the discs??

Andy..

[DJ]

Can't tell you about the disks, but I changed all the pads on mine having never done pads on any car before. Was dead easy. First front wheel and back wheel took me about 40 mins each as I checked and re-checked everything but the second wheel was under 10 mins for each.

There is a winder you can get for the rear piston but I just used long nosed pliers. You just have to be careful it doesn't slip and puncture the surrounding rubber casing.

If you are doing this one evening, give me a shout. Happy to help with the pads and I had an advisory on my last MOT about my disks being pitted and may need replaced. I think the RS4-2's have actually cleaned them up and it won't be necessary but wouldn't mind seeing what is involved just in case.

cheers.

[r055]

Fronts are so easy - rears very slightly less easier.
if you're extra carefull you can use long nose pliers.

good site here mate... http://www.tadts.com/instructions/brakes/

[Cisco]

For the pads,

Fronts straight forward. Rears one caliper bolt removed, swivel calipers for access and long nose pliers to wind the rear pistons back in (clockwise).

Discs..depends on the locating screw..would advise WD40 overnite and impact screwdriver to avoid fcking it.

Take care,

Frank

[gorrie]

Cheers for the tips... pistons sound just like the ones I did on Rovers/MG's in the past then so that should be fine.

I've got an electric impact thingy in one of the drawers in the garage... and will get a fresh can of the WD40 then.

DJ.. will probably be doing it at some point over the weekend (assuming the bits arrive, and assuming the wife lets me because I'm meant to be gutting/fitting our en-suite in my spare time !!).

Andy.

[DJ]

DJ.. will probably be doing it at some point over the weekend (assuming the bits arrive, and assuming the wife lets me because I'm meant to be gutting/fitting our en-suite in my spare time !!).

Andy.

Will PM you my mobile no. Got my nephew all weekend so might not be around. Then again, might be needing a break from the chaos of 3 kids running riot.

[Dominic]

Discs..depends on the locating screw..would advise WD40 overnite and impact screwdriver to avoid fcking it.

Take care,

Frank

Or some decent drill bits to get the wee feckers out.

[steve_weegie]

Or some decent drill bits to get the wee feckers out.

Oh the memories.....

[MacK]

Have you done them yet Andy?

I could pop in and help you out if needed....

John

[gorrie]

Not yet... parts just arrived yesterday. Will probably doing it in stages over the weekend (I might try and get 1 corner done tonight.. if the bolts come off OK). Got to pick up a transit tomorrow and do a few skip runs... then collect tiles from Tile-it-all.... rip some more bathroom out... then maybe get another wheel done at some point.

I'm off Monday though... so, it 'should' get finished before I go back to work next week.

If I come unstuck though... I'll shout !!

[gorrie]

OSF done... had to use wd40 & mallet on the inside of the wheel to get it off.
Disc retaining bolt came off fine... caliper retaining bolts needed some extra leverage by using long poles !!

Will try and do the other front tomorrow... at least the rears don't need the caliper removed to get the disc out.

Looks like it was Mintex already on there, but I think it's just the OEM Mintex ones rather than 1144's. I'll keep them though as there's still a bit on them.... disc it for the bin I think though.

DJ... for your info, it doesn't seem a hard job assuming the bolts/screws play nicely (cos you were interested to know).

[DJ]

DJ... for your info, it doesn't seem a hard job assuming the bolts/screws play nicely (cos you were interested to know).

Cheers for letting me know

[MacK]

Good to hear it's going okay.

I've been away all day, and have been hoping you weren't needing help, as I forgot to check on here this morning if you'd got back to me

[gorrie]

Managed to get time to do the other front after tea tonight Mack.... so that's all pads & discs done up front.
Just the back to do.

Now... that 'disc locating screw'.... I had to drill it out on the NSF (gutted, after the other side came out without bother). It wouldn't budge despite WD40 and Impact... then it rounded
Is that screw really required again? I've not bothered with it when I re-fitted because surely the 4 wheel nuts are the main things holding the disc in place? If I really need it, it means I'll need the hole in the hub re-tapped.... and quite frankly, that goes behond my skills or patience.

The workshop CD just says that the locating screw is used to 'retain the discs for convenience when servicing'. It makes no mention that the screw is required for any other reason... so hopefully it's safe to drive !!

(PS.. snapped my 4mm HSS drill bit in the process, so need to get a new one)

Andy.

[Stewart]

I am sure some new fangled S2 owners will be along shortly to confirm, but the S1 doesn't have them at all, relying "solely" on all four wheel nuts. That said, does the S2 not have wheel bolts as opposed to the S1's wheel studs? Probably the reason for the screw