JasonS4+Festicle

let me tell you, for a guy who has never been a mechanical person, changing pads on our stock calipers is very, very easy - IF, and a huge IF you have the right tools. Searched a lot prior to doing this, then went for it. The front are really easy to do...the rears are a bit different, but if anyone leads you to believe it is difficult...it is not. You NEED a disk caliper tool to retract and twist the piston at the same time. I tried using the goofy square thing ($8.99 Autozone) - it sucked...it slipped and was really weird to use...then for $35 I bought a rear disk caliper kit from Autozone. It comes with many different attachments so you can do all makes of disk brakes. Anyway, I changed the second rear side in 15 minutes with the tool. I guess this was the point of the post - I think this tool is the best investment you can get if you'll be doing your own brakes...it will save you a lot of swearing, I promise. To those who have done it with a C-clamp and a wrench, then Kudos to you because I had those things and it still was really f-ing difficult to tighten and turn at the same time. With the "tool" - literally, no issue at all. Oh, and do not forget to take the cap off the brake fluid resevoir. For those of you who are experts at this stuff - I guess you should ignore this post...it was intended for the amateur who was wondering if they could actually do it themselves...no problem - just get the "tool" (Did I mention the disk brake tool is a useful item?)

JasonS4+Festicle

<ul><li><a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40732">http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40732</a</li></ul>

jyoteen

FWIW, Taner had a tool he got from new dimensions that allowed the usage of a rachet.

JasonS4+Festicle

are you refering to the square thing that then hooks to a 3/8" rachet?

FAS4T

Those cubes SUCK. go for the manual one posted above.

jyoteen

no, it's not a cube. It's specific for VW/Audi.

JasonS4+Festicle

can be used on many different cars and is only $35

jyoteen

it fits all VW's and Audis. Unless you are in the market for a Chevy Malibu, I'd rather have it because I don't have to carry that case around.

Also, it seems that the rachet would be my prefered driving tool.

FAS4T

that I don't like (going from personal experience)
it is a cube that you can use with a 3/8 drive ratchet on any side depending on the application.

JasonS4+Festicle

I think what you're saying is that there is something other than the square thing and other than what I used..what is it?