Should i change the brake pads and rotors myself on my 2005 Ford Mustang V6?

Question

I need to replace my pads and rotors and i've been looking around on various how to videos and it seems a pretty straight process. Now i'm pretty handy with tools and i've done various DIY work on my car before but for some reason messing with the brakes makes me a bit anxious.

Now ofc doing it myself would save me a ton of money (i checked a shop, 400$) but it's also the feeling of doing it yourself. I love working on the car and doing this would surely give me a sort of achievement besides the money saving.

I would never work on this if i knew there is a chance i mess something up and it becomes a safety liability. So i guess what i'm asking is, how bad can i mess up by changing the pads and rotors myself and should i leave it to a professional ?

The car is a Ford Mustang 2005 V6.

Answer 1

Go for it.

Watch ChrisFix’s video on YouTube on changing breaks, one of the better ones out there. Get the parts from Rock auto, and have fun.

I’d say the biggest thing to be careful of is stripping bolts, or damaging the break lines. Only time I’ve seen people get into trouble is when they start wrenching things with the wrong tools, or letting calipers hang. Other than that, follow all proper precautions when jacking up the car and you should be fine. Plus, if you struggle you can almost always just throw things back on and have the shop do it. Many will use your rotors/pads, but if not you have them for next time.

Comments

I know ChrisFix, i watched a lot of his videos and i know the video you are talking about, was kind of what encouraged me to try and do it myself.

Answer 2

Grab yourself several cans of brake cleaner as well. I prefer the cheaper, more flammable stuff, as I, like many teens, was a pyromaniac back then.

A floor jack and two jackstands (*not* the recalled Harbor Freight ones everyone's dumping right now) will get and keep the front or rear of your vehicle off the ground while you're working. Wheel chocks don't hurt, either; if you can't find any, just use several two-by-fours.

You'll need a pad-spreading tool before you insert the new pads and place the caliper back on its mount.

If you don't yet have a torque wrench (3/8"-dr, 1/2"-dr), I'd get one. It's easy to be over-zealous tightening things when you're new to this.

When you're finished, regardless of what anyone says, find a stretch of empty road and go through the burnishing process.

Answer 3

You should get someone experienced to supervise you first time around.

And have all the tools ready.

And watch plenty of videos.