ElectroVLOG-003: Changing the Last Pad

I was concerned that you would have the same problem I had the time I changed my front brake pads, and the pistons on both wheels had seized up! Two new calipers later they were as good as new.

Best worst video ever!

I don't think I was ever too close to death or serious injury. Just regular stuff! I'm not really afraid to mess with anything, because I can spot danger from experience and can usually find a way around it to be safer. The only things I'm afraid of are those that are painful or dangerous, I have to do them and can't find a safer way to do it! Like jumping into a black hole for science.

ElectroBOOM [Mehdi Sadaghdar]

I cringed when the car almost came down on your knee. What's the closest you've come to death or serious injury? What things are even you afraid to mess with?

Get some real tools lol

The hydraulic piston is assisted by a vacuum diaphragm that is boosted by the intake manifold. This amplifies the hydraulic force when you push on the pedal. Old diesels that dont have the same vacuum actually use vacuum pumps. For pushing the piston back in the acme screw C clamps work very well. I find that putting the clamp onto the piston as soon as you pull it back prevents it from creeping out while you deal with the pads. The last thing you want is the piston cylinder coming out.

It's safer to loosen the nuts before you jack up the car. Just get them started, then jack up, then remove all the way. Same when you put them back on. Just snug them up, lower the jack, then torque all the way.

Oddly enough, my Toyota Matrix needs a couple of new brake pads. hmmmm.

Its a very good thing you left that clamp on when pressing the breaks, I'm pretty sure the piston could have slid out and made a huge mess. As it is, you should always make sure the break fluid is rather low before pushing those pistons back in or it would overflow the reservoir.

Greg