I'm preparing to do a brake job this coming weekend. And I'm getting everything ready. Just went out and bought some brake cleaner. I tried to buy a one man brake bleeder valve so I can do the job myself. But Autozone didn't have them to fit my truck. So I've got to wait until I can get someone to help me bleed the brakes. About the clamp... I've got a small 2" c-clamp. Will that work to push the caliper pistons back in? Or do I need to buy a bigger c-clamp? Thanks in advance.

 

at least a 6 inch

 

I went and got a 6" c-clamp at Autozone for $6.99. It's made by Great Neck, and it's pretty big and well built. Not bad for 7 bucks.

 

and dont try to crank the caliper piston back in too fast...make sure your not pushing the piston back crooked... go slow and easy..and take the top off the master cylinder...the excess fluid has to go somewhere...have fun!...zap!

 

Crack the bleeder valves open before smashing the pistons back in.

I use the old pad to compress twin piston calipers back in, since if you try to do them one at a time, one goes in, the other goes out. Setting the pad on top of the pistons and using the C-clamp on the pad presses them in evenly.

 

Thanks for the tips Zap and Quintin. I can't wait to Git Er' Done! I'll be sure to update you on how things go and how the new pads perform.

 

there is only 1 piston on the rear caliper. I did not have any brake fluid overflow either, but do take the cap off. Yes, dont force the piston back too fast.

Have fun with those rotors if you are taking them off

 

The rotors are in good shape. lol. But I dread when it comes time to change them. I'll soak em' in PB Blaster because that stuff is the shiznit!

 

You've got nothign to worry about. The 2wd's use a hubbed rotor. Take the center cap off and take the nut loose and it'll leterally fall right off.
Replace the seal for $3, and re-pack the bearings ($5 for a tub o' grease) and you're up and running again.

-Joe

 

Thanks GIJoeCam. All this info is sinking in. Thanks for all the tips guys.