Brake help questions:

I don't know about the location or type of e-brake, but I do know about the how to:http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=2158

The parking brakes are drum style brakes inside the rear rotors.

They are adjusted via the adjuster under the center console and/or by adjusting them like you would drum brakes.

I just replaced all 4 brakes this past weekend. My front had a bit of pad left, but the rear were completly gone.

I have 33K miles. That is highway, city and wheeling (with water and mud).

They are easy to replace, but finding new pads is kind of tough. I had to order them.

Muzikman: I'm thinking of doing the brakes on my X pretty soon. Where did you get yours from and how was the price and shipping time?

I ended up getting Bendix from Advance Auto. They got them in one day. Not one local auto parts store had the pads in stock.

The cost was $98 for front and rear.

Nice, thanks for the info. With a years worth of DC traffic and 26K on the clock I'm sure mine are getting low. Will check them out tonight.

Edit 1-19-07: Pads looked fine, going to hold off on the replacement...

This is my first 4 wheel disc brake vehicle. I was shocked at how quick the rear wore out. In the drum brake world you can get 60K on rear brakes without even thinking about it and my intrepid had over 90K before I had to replace them.

So make sure you check the rear too.

You just replaced the pads? I need to do this. My are squeaking loudly.

Yeah, just the pads. They come with new metal guides and springs for the front.

It's really an easy change. It took me a bit longer than it should have as it was raining and I was dodging rain drops (yeah, I am sissy when it comes to rain).

I also needed new parking brake shoes and didn't get them yet, so I'll be changing those out here shortly too.

Oh, a quick tip. When you put the springs on the front pads, be sure to hold the pads together as you slip the caliper over them or the pads go flying.

Thanks for the tip. Were the pistons easily compressed with a old pad and a C-clamp?

kokopop said:

Thanks for the tip. Were the pistons easily compressed with a old pad and a C-clamp?

Click to expand...

Yeah, very easy. What you want to do is to open the bleed valve then push them back. Although you can push them back without doing it, it can freak out the brake system. Since you have to bleed the brakes any way, it doesn't cause anymore work (just a bit more mess).

I typically open the resevior and use a turkey baster to suck some fluid out.

and then you can add a little unique flavor (with the turkey baster you used for your brakes) to the following Thanksgiving's bird...

Yummmmmmeeeeee

Is there something special about the X brakes that requires bleeding when replacing the pads? I have never done this unless I was replacing the cylinder as well. Pads on all my other cars were a simple mechanical exercise.

Well, if you maintain your brake fluid levels then when you install your new pads you will have too much brake fluid in the system.

I'm also a firm believer in bleeding the brake after every pad change just to make sure. For as hard as it is to do, why not do it.

I've noticed upon making a stop that if you depress the pedal twice, on the second pump the brakes will be more firm? Is there a way to make it so that it's that firm all the time?

The brakes are just mushy. It was the first thing I noticed when I bought it. I'm not use to it.

Muzikman...you answered your own question...because its hard to do (compared with just changing the pads/rotors and removing fluid if necessary). But other than complete lazyness, it is good practice.

I mean absolutely no disrespect here, but I don't know how else to put it.

If you think bleeding brakes is hard, you probably shouldn't be changing your own pads. Bleeding brakes is easy. If you want to make it even easier, buy a vacuum pump brake bleeder, but even without it, I can bleed all four corners in probably 10 minutes with someone pumping the brakes for me.

Just curious also, how do you remove the fluid? I saw someone say turkey baster, but I wouldn't be doing that it can introduce foreign matter into the brake fluid.

I always bleed the brakes when I change pads. It's good practice. I want to be able to stop when I have to.

I have to agree that bleeding the brakes is quick and easy. Biggest PITA is finding someone to pump the brakes.

I sugested the turkey baster. I have a clean baster that I keep in a plastic bag. But regardless I still bleed the brakes!