How To Change Front Brake Pads (1.1/1.4) + Pics

[Simon72]

WARNING ONLY DO THIS IF YOU ARE SURE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO THE TASK. IF NOT LEAVE TO THE EXPERTS
Right folks, this is a stage by stage documentation on how to remove and refit your front brake pads on a 1.1 / 1.4 petrol or diesel C2 ( It could be similar on a 1.6 but I have never had the wheel off one of them yet ;-) )

I did this so that I was able to rectify the horrible squeeking noise I keep getting when driving, this was due to excessive build-up of brake dust and dirt also lack of copperslip and the anti-vibration springs were sticking.
ENJOY THE STEP BY STEP IDIOTS GUIDE.
LETS GO::::-----
Equipment I used for this project:-

Axel Stands
Trolley Jack
Chrome Cap remover (YELLOW THING)
Locking wheel nut key
Wheel nut brace
13mm Spanner
15mm Spanner
Wire Brush
Thread Lock
Copper Slip
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400619.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400620.jpg

1. If you have alloys fitted like me then then you will need to remove the the small CHROME covers.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400621.jpg

2. Using locking nut key loosen the locking nut and the other 3 bolt.
(THIS IMAGE UNFORTUNATLY DIDN'T COME OUT. :-( )

3. Jack up car and place axel stand under the bottom wish-bone bolts, then slightly lower weight of car onto stand, then undo the rest of the nuts and remove wheel.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400624.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400623.jpg

4. Now you should be left with the following sight (depending if you are doing drivers or passengers side)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400625.jpg

5. Undo the top and bottom retaining bolts from the caliper shell (13mm at the back and 15mm in the centre)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400626.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400627.jpg

6. Now pull off the shell and carefully place the caliper shell and piston on top of the top wishbone out of the way.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400628.jpg

7. Now remove both PADS and use a screwdriver to carefully unclip the sprung anti-vibration clips off the caliper cage that is still attached to the rear of the suspension.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400629.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400630.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400631.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400632.jpg

8. Next wire brush all rust off the cage and the pads and sprung anti-vibration clips until all surfaces are free from dirt and rust. ( Do the same routine for if you are replacing the PADS, just clean the cage)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400633.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400634.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400635.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400636.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400637.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400638.jpg

9. Now lightly copperslip all 4 corners of the shell, ensuring you DO NOT get any of the copperslip on the face of the disk.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400639.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400640.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400641.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400642.jpg

10. Next replace the sprung anti-vibration clips and ensure these are clipped securly into place.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400643.jpg

11. Next lightly copperslip the back of the pads (NEW/OLD) also the corner guide point.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400644.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400645.jpg

12. Place the pads back into the cage ensuring the direction arrow is pointing DOWN (This shows the direction of the disks rotation when moving forward)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400646.jpg

13. Now coat the bolts with thread lock and replace the shell back into position, tighten the securing bolts until extremely tight.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400647.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400648.jpg

14. Job completed, complete assembled caliper should look like this..

ONLY THING LEFT TO BE DONE IS REPLACE THE WHEEL, REMOVE STAND, LOWER CAR BACK TO GROUND AND TIGHTEN ALL WHEEL BOLTS.

HOPE THAT IS OF HELP TO YOU ALL

[Danny]

Good work Simon, very helpful ;)

[Simon72]

Took me total of 1hour to complete both sides

Also open to people PM'ing me for advice...

If you like you could make it a STICKY ;-)

[tkm16]

great guide!!! :D

[Den]

there u go si...now a sticky ;) good work :D

excellent work si! but yes i will leave it to the proffesionals! lol

[thedoctor]

That is very helpful Siwar, I think I will give it ago as and when required. Which gets me thinking how long do the front pads last on average?. They do not change them at the 20,000 mile service....so when???

[Simon72]

That is very helpful Siwar, I think I will give it ago as and when required. Which gets me thinking how long do the front pads last on average?. They do not change them at the 20,000 mile service....so when???As you can see from this picture of the pad on the floor, it is about 1/2 to only 1/4 worn,, I have covered just over 31,000 miles and that is with not very conservative braking ;-) (Mostly motorway driving so I would estimate about 15,000 miles standard driving)
So hopefully you should still be OK, unless you give it extreme hammer and alot of short stop start journeys.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400635.jpg

[c2ology]

Top Guide!

[DeathsHead]

I hope you don't mind but I am printing the 1st post as an appendix in a letter I am sending to Bury Citroen Dealer to get them to fix my brakes, among other things.

[Simon72]

I hope you don't mind but I am printing the 1st post as an appendix in a letter I am sending to Bury Citroen Dealer to get them to fix my brakes, among other things.No don't mind at all, help yourself. ;-)

[bellshillsfinest]

after you fit the wheel give yer brake pedal a few pumps just too make sure yae have dun it ryte memba :):P

fantastic thread mate.

[spooky_fish]

excellent mate

[BrammeR]

Think ill Print this out too!

How many miles u reckon you get out of rear brakes?

Picture of one of my rear disks around 6000 miles

http://images.domino.org/d/55727-1/DSCF3312.JPG

My thread (http://www.c2club.co.uk/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5478)

Bram

[keenan_gt]

That is very helpful Siwar, I think I will give it ago as and when required. Which gets me thinking how long do the front pads last on average?. They do not change them at the 20,000 mile service....so when???

that depends on whether u drive fast and brake like Shuchmacher at every bend?

[DeathsHead]

Well, the dealer fixed the squeak last week, while I had my front tyres changed I took the opportunity to take a sneek peek at my front brakes.

http://img87.exs.cx/img87/9646/dsc00498wt5.th.jpg (http://img87.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img87&image=dsc00498wt5.jpg)

It seems your guide told them how to do it right :D

[Simon72]

Well, the dealer fixed the squeak last week, while I had my front tyres changed I took the opportunity to take a sneek peek at my front brakes.

http//img87.exs.cx/img87/9646/dsc00498wt5.th.jpg (http//img87.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img87&image=dsc00498wt5.jpg)

It seems your guide told them how to do it right DYes looks like they done it the same, loads of copper-slip, and all nice and clean, ;-)

[Ribena]

Great guide simon! jus did it today and it was partly successful....brakes still squeal when turning and braking though :( nicx

[garykwlai]

Nice tips just wonder is it possible to change the drum pads of a 1.4 SX without loosen the rear wheels?

And how do i change them?

[Rossington]

good guide that simon!

i would just add 1 thing.

Don't try this if your a bit of a tard with this kinda thing. You'll know youve not put it back right when you need to brake.....hense why I wont be trying it ;)

[Simon72]

Nice tips just wonder is it possible to change the drum pads of a 1.4 SX without loosen the rear wheels?

And how do i change them?
Rear wheels have to come off, then you need to remove the silver cap in the centre of the drum, this exposes a large nut, this has to be removed and this will release the drum and wheel bearing then you will be able to gain access to the rear drum pads.

Drum pads usually last on a normal car at least 60-70k miles.


good guide that simon!

i would just add 1 thing.

Don't try this if your a bit of a tard with this kinda thing. You'll know youve not put it back right when you need to brake.....hense why I wont be trying it ;)

Like your thinking there Ross ;-)

[connellyg]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400625.jpg

Is that the mounting point the manual is refering to

[Simon72]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e366/siwar72/Brakes/SA400625.jpg

Is that the mounting point the manual is refering toSorry don't understand?? What mounting point are you on about ?

[connellyg]

well in the manual it just says the mounting point. am just wondering is that the mounting point the manual is refering to.

[Simon72]

The mounting point for the calipers are two bolts at the rear of the disk, these are the mounting points I presume they are talking about.

[connellyg]

yeah that was it. just a quick question you know when you put the wheel back on. how do you know the bolts are correctly fitted. just put them on as tight as you can yeah..

[Simon72]

Tighten them up in and opposite formation

E.G.

1 3
4 2
this will ensure they are evenly tightened.

I use the TWO GRUNT theory, tighten up and GRUNT twice that is about tight ;-)

[bazzahpool]

where are your rubber gloves simon lol

[Simon72]

where are your rubber gloves simon lol


Rubber gloves are for PUFFS, I did use barrier cream ;-)

[bazzahpool]

yeah yeah simon

barrier cream is for puffs, its like moisturiser and puffs use moisturiser lmao

[dave_beast]

Are there many differences in changing the front pads on a VTS, ie special tools etc?

Edit: No special tools, required, it's the same procedure as above, except that on my 56 plate VTS the pads needed are for a C4 VTS!!!!

[Juneau]

used this guide today to change my brakes and was a massive help! only problem i found though is that this guide doesnt point out that if your putting new pads in then you have to force the piston back because the pads are alot thicker than the used ones.forceing that piston back was no fun at all! lol id recommend having a g clamp to hand to compress it,although i did find that you can just use a screw driver to push piston back before you take the caliper off
cheers anyway =D

[m.sarrionandia]

I'm spooging in my pants. Now I know why my brakes squeel like hell. Will give this a go real soon.!

[stu_958]

Simon72 - mate how do you remove the discs?!!?

[Headsy]

Thought my pads needed changed but turns out i just needed to wind in the pistons and clean them up, Same job on 1.6 vtr.