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I am very non-mechanical, but decided to try changing my own brake pads and rotors. I mamaged to get it done but my bvrother in law (A very good mechanic) is laughing as he now has to come fix a couple items. First off they are rubbing and I have no idea why. Secondly my neighbor, who is suppose to be a Mechanic, messed up my Emergency brake on the rear passenger tire. My Brother in law says no problems he will fix it and he knows what has to be done already. Those are the good things.
Trooper 2010-08-21 18:45:25
Now for the question:
What is the trick for setting the outside brake pads on the front? 
. I used a C-clamp and the old pad to seat the inside with no problem. Operned the bleeder, reset the pistons in the calipers, then set the new pads. But those outside pads were a frickin nightmare. There has to be an "easy trick" or a "special tool" to set them. Would someone please let me in on the secret as I spent all day today replacing 4 rotors and 4 sets of pads.... HELP..
. I used a C-clamp and the old pad to seat the inside with no problem. Operned the bleeder, reset the pistons in the calipers, then set the new pads. But those outside pads were a frickin nightmare. There has to be an "easy trick" or a "special tool" to set them. Would someone please let me in on the secret as I spent all day today replacing 4 rotors and 4 sets of pads.... HELP..Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg
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allan,
eddie20890 2010-08-21 19:14:54
the fronts are basically the same as the rear. there are two pins that pull out and the caliper will come off the frame. the pads sit inside the frame that is still on the car. you have to make sure that the pads go on their proper side of the disc. i believe the pad with the wear indicator goes on the outside. they should just sit inside the frame and then slip the caliper over them and reinstall the pins. the service manual is a good thing to have.
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Hummmm, we must have two different sets of brakes. Mine have a two piston caliper, and the pads have two circular sets of tabs on the rear that have to be compressed into the caliper. The inside set actually compresses into the pistons, the outside set are stationary and are compressed into two holes in the caliper itself. The fronts and rears are nothing alike and are on two entirely different setups. (I wish they were like you described, man those on the rear were no problem at all.)
Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg
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e
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Vette(s): 1975 metallic blue coupe with t-tops,L48, t/t steering, black leather interior. 1990 L98, white/red leather interior, auto,a/c
sorry allan, you are correct. i was thinking of the back brakes. when i did the fronts they were as you described. i wonder if you had the same problem i had. do you still have the old pads and know which was the inner and which was the outer? i had a heck of a time when i did mine as when they packed them (had them in plastric wrap which i thought was classy), they put both inners together and both outers together. as i never seen this before i could not figure why the brakes wouldn't go back right. at first i thought they were the wrong pads until i started to match them with the old ones and figured out what they did.
sorry about the previous post and good luck.
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Now that is possible. I did notice that one set had a different set of clamps than the other set. I bet that you are right. Will have to check on that. They matched the originals I took off, but I am betting you are right. darn IT! Trooper 2010-08-22 06:32:32
Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg
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Looks like you were right Eddie, and I have the pads mixed up. I will wait for my Brother in law to get here from Knoxville before I try the repair. I went and got the Chiltons Manual (Should have done it before I tried this.) I have never been very mechanical, but I really really want to be able to do some of this stuff myself, this has not been a good start for me. I really need someone that knows what they are doing to teach me I guess. 
Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg
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e
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allan, dont feel bad. what i figured would be a quick brake job turned out to be not so quick. a lot of cursing before i went to the service manual. even guys like me that do work on cars get stumped sometime. youmay consider reading the chilton book first andit might make things easier. another thing is to take your time and relax. good luck.
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[QUOTE=eddie20890] you may consider reading the chilton book first andit might make things easier. another thing is to take your time and relax. good luck.[/QUOTE]
Hummmmmm, now there is a novel idea, read the instructions first..... Isn't there a rule against that in the MAN BOOK??......and is it really possible to "Relax" when working on a vette???? 
Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg
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e
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Vette(s): 1975 metallic blue coupe with t-tops,L48, t/t steering, black leather interior. 1990 L98, white/red leather interior, auto,a/c
i promise i wont tell anyone if you cheat and read the instructions first. yes it is possible to relax...when i find out how to do it i'll let you know.
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I found the secret, Yeaaa I found the secret...... Get my Dang Brother in Law down here BEFORE I start. Car is fixed, brakes work great, Upgraded parts look and functioning fine... Dang thing will stand you on your nose..... I am soooo happy now!!!!! 
Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg
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in Forum: C4 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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