After my saga with the stuck lug nut, I finally got around to attempting my first brake job on my 04. I'd like to start by thanking all of those who have posted so much good information on this site, it's invaluable to someone like me.
Thanks to the exceptional how to http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45544&highlight=Brake+install I had no unexpected problems and finished with confidence (the front pads anyway I ran out of light).
I do have a couple of questions I was hoping for some help with, so here they go in no particular order
1. What are the best jack point locations for lifting the front and back of the element? The owners manual only mentions the side points which are not helpful for putting the car on jack stands. I ended up using a point on the bottom of the transmission case but would like to know the recommended spot.
2. I was going to do the front rotors but the screws were stuck in place. It seems an impact screw driver is the fix for this but wanted to make sure. I hate to pull it all apart again but the e is our only car so leaving it apart was not an option.
3. Is there an easy tutorial out there for bleeding the brakes? It doesn't sound hard at all but a nice picture filled tutorial is always a bonus.
4. Several posts mention using a turkey baster to pull the fluid out of the master cylinder as a way of changing the fluid over time. Is there a way around the screen in the MC? It prevents me from pulling out very much fluid.
5. Is anti-seize recommended on any of the brake bolts? At 114K several of them were not inclined to move but I didn't want to put anything on the brake hardware that might encourage it to loosen up.
6. Once finished I took the e for a test drive and there was some very very mild squeeking and when I got back to the house a bit of what smelled like hot brakes. I had used some penetrating oil on some of the bolts and I assume the smell was simply that burning off. I re-tightened the lug nuts again and after test drive #2 no squeeks no smell and all seems fine. I only mention this as I have a 4 month old and if I screwed something up my wife will NEVER EVER forgive me.
Thanks for the read and the responses in advance.
Steve
Thanks to the exceptional how to http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45544&highlight=Brake+install I had no unexpected problems and finished with confidence (the front pads anyway I ran out of light).
I do have a couple of questions I was hoping for some help with, so here they go in no particular order
1. What are the best jack point locations for lifting the front and back of the element? The owners manual only mentions the side points which are not helpful for putting the car on jack stands. I ended up using a point on the bottom of the transmission case but would like to know the recommended spot.
2. I was going to do the front rotors but the screws were stuck in place. It seems an impact screw driver is the fix for this but wanted to make sure. I hate to pull it all apart again but the e is our only car so leaving it apart was not an option.
3. Is there an easy tutorial out there for bleeding the brakes? It doesn't sound hard at all but a nice picture filled tutorial is always a bonus.
4. Several posts mention using a turkey baster to pull the fluid out of the master cylinder as a way of changing the fluid over time. Is there a way around the screen in the MC? It prevents me from pulling out very much fluid.
5. Is anti-seize recommended on any of the brake bolts? At 114K several of them were not inclined to move but I didn't want to put anything on the brake hardware that might encourage it to loosen up.
6. Once finished I took the e for a test drive and there was some very very mild squeeking and when I got back to the house a bit of what smelled like hot brakes. I had used some penetrating oil on some of the bolts and I assume the smell was simply that burning off. I re-tightened the lug nuts again and after test drive #2 no squeeks no smell and all seems fine. I only mention this as I have a 4 month old and if I screwed something up my wife will NEVER EVER forgive me.
Thanks for the read and the responses in advance.
Steve