New brakes install any pointers

I'm glad to see a working time comparable to what it might take me. If it's not something I've done before, I frequently stop to think and revisit my plan for the next few steps.
I take little breaks between steps to stay fresh and also whenever I feel any frustration that could increase the likelihood of doing something dumb.

 

Second this in regards to a free sliding caliper. Some of those caliper pins can corrode and cause uneven breaking during application. Did the pads appear to be wearing evenly, inner & outer? If not, This would be a good indication of the possibility of a sticking caliper/caliper slide pin.

 

In my case the pads were definitely not wearing evenly. Driver front the inner was worn approx. 3mm more than the outer. The passenger front was closer but inner was also worn a bit more but not as bad as the driver side.
The caliper pins did look pretty rusted and seize up, but was able to pull them with pliers. Looked bad but did not get too much resistance when taking them out so not sure it they were OK or not. Replaced with new ones and added some brake grease on them as well. Will need to find some will power to get the wheel off again and add the second anti-rattle clip. Would that really make a difference? Does the clip has enough strength to actually help the pads pull apart.

 

^A single clip applies force unevenly at the bottom of the pads, so the pads may get cocked and bind up on the retainer pins. Two clips even out the forces. A few guys in my off road club run a 2nd clip on each caliper and it makes a difference for them.

The forces involved are small, since the pads retract only a fraction of a millimeter (from piston seal flex) when you let off the brakes. Any binding in the pins will prevent proper retraction.

 

The forces involved are small, since the pads retract only a fraction of a millimeter (from piston seal flex) when you let off the brakes. Any binding in the pins will prevent proper retraction.

Makes sense, I was watching many videos and as you mention some of these videos had clips on top and bottom. My brake kit came with only 1 per caliper but I saved the old ones so once my back recovers I will probably put them in.

 

Does the second clip go at the opposite end, with the opposite orientation?

 

^Example picture from TW:

 

Good job. Definitely need bigger jack stands, though, especially if you plan to have all four wheels off at the same time.

 

Nice! I totally get the back recovery time lol, especially since I man a desk most of the time. But that short term back pain seems to make my back better for a few months afterward…it’s like a chiropractic alignment lol.


The extra retaining clips in the front are a good idea that hopefully will help with the pull. But keep an eye on it, might be bad calipers. Judging from the condition of the old rotors, those brakes have had a pretty short and hard life (either due to conditions, or use). I’ve been through tons of mud, a few winters, heavy-ish loads, and daily commuting in my 21, and they don’t look anywhere near that bad.

Yes, always assume the jackstands will want to kill you. Just don’t trust them, even when you do. It’s best to mitigate risk where you can, taking off only the wheels needed. Since you can only work on one corner at a time, you only need to remove one wheel at a time. For tire rotations, I do front to back, and only remove wheels from one side at a time. That makes it easier to set up a redundant method specifically for the corner or side being actively worked on.