2005 RB Liberty - Brake Replacement

[stuwr250f]

I've searched the forum to try to find answer, so excuse me if it has already been answered.

I have 2005 RB Liberty, with near 150,000. I have had it since new.

The discs and pads are the originals and they are shuddering . I was sure I would need to replace the disc's, so Pedders have quoted for DBA T2 Slotted Street Series Rotors and Akebono Pads (never heard of them, but they swear they are great). $885 supplied (F&R). They want $300 for fitting. Question is how hard is it to replace the these yourself, any tricks I need to know? I think a have a fairly good understanding of cars (built and raced an RX2 BITD), so I think I should be capable of doing it myself. Is it difficult to push the calipers back so the new pads will fit back in? What tools would you need to push the pistons back? Dirty big screw driver? (well that was the method 25 years ago

Alternatively, I have been quoted $645 to have new pads and re-skim the original rotors and flush the fluid. Drive in, drive out. I really thought the rotors would be toast? Is it safe to re-skim these after 150,000 (never been machined before). Actually pretty happy with the standard barake performance so the above option is just because I was going to replace the rotors.

Additionally, I'm getting the LCA bush replaced next week too, as I don't have a press, $390 at pedders for an anit-lift white line bushing, installed and wheel aligned. So I think from reading this might be part of the shudder problem.

I really appreciate any advice you knowledgable guys have

Cheers

Stu

[sheppo9]

Brakes are easy to change - hardest part would be taking off the rear calipers.
Screwdriver on the old pad to push the pistons back in is acceptable.

I've got Akebono's on both our cars (different compounds for each car thou) and they work well enough, low dust, good intial bite etc etc.
FWIW, they are OEM suppliers.

Can get everything cheaper (RDA rotors for instance) if you could be bothered as Pedders have a good reputation for being liars/shit.

[Robbks]

the bushes make the shudder worse, but your rotors would be toasted by now.
Easy change for DIY though.
only have 2-pot sliding calipers so a G clamp and the old pad is all you need to push them back at most.
no tricks needed.
-remove wheels
-undo caliper bolts
-push back pistons
-knock out old pads
-slide off old rotors (sometimes need assistance with bolts through the centre part of the rotor onto the hub)
-slide on new ones
-clip in new pads
-bolt them back on

may aswell replace the fluid while you're down here, piece of hose with an aquarium one way valve in it into a coke bottle is a cheap one man bleeder.

[stuwr250f]

Thanks guys, really appreciate you taking the time to respond. This a such a great forum.

I haven't dealt with Pedders for about 20 years, was burnt back then but kinda of had the impression (probably false) that they might have lifted their game.

Didn't think it should be too hard to fit, just haven't done it for awhile. Did a bit of a web check to see if I could find the rotors cheaper, can't really see them cheaper anywhere else.

Great tips, thanks so much, I have a G clamp so I can go all hi-tech let the old flat blade in the tool box.

Even had a chuckle to myself when I read the below

"Cheap one man bleeder"

[seanmau5]

"Cheap one man bleeder"

If you find one be sure to introduce her to me..

[HyRax]

Changing your pads and discs is mind-bogglingly easy. It's a misnomer that such a critical function of the car means it's a complex process to do.

This video pretty much sums it up for stock calipers (applies to just about any car with sliding calipers):

[stuwr250f]

Thanks very much, didn't think to look at youtube, that was pretty much what I was expecting. I'm going to order the parts in and do it next week...it's been a while but I think I should be good...especially when I get the "cheap one man bleeder"

[stuwr250f]

So I pulled all the wheels off my car, had a close inspection of the pads, they look to have around 5mm+ of pad left on them. So I have decided to leave them alone for now, as I had the LCA changed yesterday to the whiteline anti-lift kit. Wow what difference...all the brake shudder is gone and the feels so much tighter than ever...so I'm happy there. However, it was done by Pedders who messed me around (yes I was warned and won't be going back) they had the wrong kit in, then made me wait for 4 hours while they went and got the correct kit..anyways, crawled underneath to have a look at the whiteline kit, it is black in colour, do whiteline parts come in black or is this another brand they might have substituted? Part number on the invoice is KCA334...All the kits I see online are yellow? Wondering if they have stooged me?

[seanmau5]

KCA334 is definitely the Whiteline anti lift kit however the bushes are supposed to be yellow. I would definitely be questioning them.

[Bezzza]

I recently ordered a rear camber correction kit from online.
Came with right PN on the package but the bushes were black.
They could be replacing with black as yellow ran out I'm not sure.

Also may be the Motorsport specific application which they also use black bushings with.
However these have a different PN attached to them.

PS. As stated above by hyrax, changing discs is surprisingly easy! Hardest part being breaking the originals away from the hub which is easy enough done with a bolt threading it onto the discs. Whole is already there for this

[stuwr250f]

Thanks guys, I thought it a little strange. It works a treat and looks identical, just have never seen them in black before, and knowing Pedders reputation, wouldn't be surprised if they subsituted the parts..I will quiz them next week.

I have left the brakes for now but I have climbed under and had a look and as per what everyone has said it looks pretty straight forward. Just deciding if I should go the Brembo route or stick with the stock calipers and some slotted DBA rotors.

[seanmau5]

Brembos! They look amazing too. What colour is your car? And do your wheels clear them?

[stuwr250f]

I'll like to go for a nice second hand set of Brembo's but I'm guessing I'll be needing new rims too, as I just have the standard 18 x 7 spec B rims. Oh I can tell I'm getting hooked, and it's going to get expensive.

[alessandro132]

I'll like to go for a nice second hand set of Brembo's but I'm guessing I'll be needing new rims too, as I just have the standard 18 x 7 spec B rims. Oh I can tell I'm getting hooked, and it's going to get expensive.

Brembos, new wheels are definitely not cheap but look the goods!

Like this

[Ric]

Wow what difference...all the brake shudder is gone and the feels so much tighter than ever...

I had a similar experience. Brake shudder when braking lightly if doing anything over 80 km/h.
Had a set of PhatGT's LCA bushes installed to replace my buggered Subaru bushes, and the shudder is totally gone.
The pads and rotors are still the originals, going strong after 180,000k