Wow, Jeff, I don't rightly know.
On one hand, I have been the guy saying "get your
hands dirty, it's all real easy", but to be honest, if
you have never done it, or anything close to it
before, it IS a pretty big job. You really need
experience working up to something like a complete
brake job. Granted it is straight forward and makes
sense, but there are so many nuances, and places to go
wrong.. (like putting the calipers on upside down,
which is really easy to do. Not to mention rear drum
brakes, which while simpler in design, are a real PITA
to work on what with spring tension etc. AND DIRTY!!!
Bottom line: you really need a good place to work,
the driveway just will not do for big jobs, and
accumulated tools etc. I would have some of your
roadster buddies give an opinion on whether or not
just the one caliper needs 2B replaced, or whether the
system is just so old, and un-maintained that the full
monty is required. Only someone with experience can
make that call. Then you'll know how much work is
needed.
As for bucks, figure about $400+ if you do it yourself
(the full brake rebuild) and I'm guessing $1000 if you
take it to someone. (that may be high, but not by
much). As you can see, either way, there is no doing
it on the cheap. After all, your life in in the
balance in brakes.
This is a pretty big job for a novice without help,
but certainly doable if you have a ready source for
advice. That's the key! (BTW do not scrimp on tools
when you buy, 'cause you'll need 'em many more times.)
The list is great for advice, but nothing like having
someone who can actually look at it and point to stuff
that you need to do. Local help is great, if you can
find it.
Ya know, a nice well maintained used Miata, may well
be what Diana needs. Great car, lots of fun
dependable, cute handles like a dream, fast enough,
and in the end, probably as cheap as a project
roadster...just a thought...
Mike
SC
--- Jeffrey Wilson <jeffalso88@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Well, Diana has been saying everything regarding our
> little "dilemia"
> because its her car and I'm just there for the ride
> ;)
>
> Thanks to all the information we received for people
> on the board, and one
> anonymous person who took some time to come take a
> look, we have discovered
> its simply a brake leak on the Front Left wheel.
> Suggestion was to replace
> the Caliber, perhaps even the cylinder.
>
> I personally would like to do it myself, if I can
> talk Diana into letting my
> amatuer mechanic hands to touch it. Now, going on
> the assumption I talk her
> into letting me do it, the question is what do I
> need?
>
> 1. Should I replace the entire brake portion on just
> that wheel or do I go
> and replace the brake portions on All wheels?
>
> 2. Do I simply replace the "broken" portion, or
> since we really have no idea
> what has been done to this car before we bought it,
> should I yank the entire
> brake assembly off all wheels and redo them all from
> the ground up?
>
> 3. Depending on the direction we go (just the one
> wheel or all wheels) what
> parts will be needed and where do I find them?!?!?!
> Nothing fancy needed, no
> racing parts needed, just the parts that will allow
> me to get the brakes
> working and reliable!
>
> 4. Lastly, is there anything out there that would
> give me a Step-By-Step on
> how to replace all these parts on the brakes? The
> more detailed the better,
> please. I'm pretty good at following instructions as
> long as they are clear
> and detailed. Pictures really help! :) Remember,
> I've never done this before
> so I need all the help I can get ;)
>
> Oh, one more question I suppose. Am I nuts for
> wanting to do this myself
> when I know nada about cars and even less about how
> to do brakes? It's
> scary, that part of me wants to just go out there
> and pull the car apart and
> start replacing parts, but I don't think Diana would
> like to see her car in
> pieces ;)
>
> Jeff
>
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