Does anyone change their own front brakes?

[VanCampFarm]

Hi guys. Thinking about replacing the front brake pads myself. Was wondering is anyone on here has done it themselves as well. I’m an industrial mechanic for Anheuser Busch by trade. The mechanical part doesn’t worry me. But lifting the coach does. My Thor ACE isn’t equipped with leveling jacks so I’ll be using my 12 ton bottle jack (one wheel at a time).

So has anyone on here try job that themselves? If so, what are the torque specs?

My reasoning is, the shops want about $400 or more for the job. I just purchased the pads for $110, I can’t justify $300 in labor haha.

[DavidEM]

I have replaced the pads and shoes on every car and trailer I have ever owned but never a MH. But other than needing a heavy bottle jack which you seem to have and a 1/2" breaker bar with maybe a cheater, I don't see anything very difficult with doing one.

David

[taylorbob1]

Also,
Do your front rotors need to be re-surfaced?
Or
Do you need new rotors?

Age of rig, last brake job, etc...

[Roark]

Well yeah, I thought everybody did? lol


Solid level concrete is best, and the jack is for jacking, not for working under, so go get yee a set of steel jackstands rated for twice whatever you might put on them. They're relatively inexpensive, but if ya have a good place to work on your rig I would also keep an eye out at the local auction barn for an old steel floor jack. They weigh a veritable metric ass ton, but all of the old ones that I've found can be rebuilt and last longer than I'll be around, so generally good value to be had. The aluminum "race" types are all the rage with the Harbor Fright crowd, and I'm sure they have their place (like maybe under a riding mower or my daughter's Prius) but big buck big trucks just demand that ya go big - imnsho.



Also, if and when ya start yanking and pulling and pushing and banging, it's nice not to have to worry about something slipping at an inopportune moment, 'cuz that's when stuff starts getting really expensive. Just remember Mr. Murphy's maxim about what can go wrong...

[VanCampFarm]

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

Also,
Do your front rotors need to be re-surfaced?
Or
Do you need new rotors?

Age of rig, last brake job, etc...

2015 Thor ACE 30.1.

I don’t believe it’s had the front pads done yet. From what I can tell I don’t think I need to resurface or get new rotors. I was planning on doing the pads only

[Travelin' Texans]

Had 2 GMC 3500 duallies, the 1st was traded with 176k+ miles, the 2nd traded with 140k+/- miles, with approximately 1/2 the miles on each towing a 16k+ lb 5th wheel, both when traded had the original brake pads with plenty of pad remaining.
Saying this, unless there's some other reason for excessive brake wear I have trouble believing you'd need pads or rotors turned in less than 100k miles, but mine were GMs.

[VanCampFarm]

Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans

Had 2 GMC 3500 duallies, the 1st was traded with 176k+ miles, the 2nd traded with 140k+/- miles, with approximately 1/2 the miles on each towing a 16k+ lb 5th wheel, both when traded had the original brake pads with plenty of pad remaining.
Saying this, unless there's some other reason for excessive brake wear I have trouble believing you'd need pads or rotors turned in less than 100k miles, but mine were GMs.

Good point. I’ll for sure take another look and make sure they are worn excessively. When we did an inspection about a month ago the technician mentioned it to me and I saw myself, but at a quick glance, there wasn’t much remaining. I’ll make sure to take another look however.

[Lt Keefer]

Since you've already bought the pads go ahead and slap them on. It will give you a good chance to inspect the pistons and brake lines and such.