Servicing your own vans

[Mike Jackson]

use a proper jack and axle stands dont compromise on your safety,if you were closer you could borrow my wind back tool use some copper grease on the back of the pads this will stop the brakes squealing,but dont get it on the disc or friction side of the pad

There was a chap killed a couple of years back in St' Leonards when he was working underneath it on a jack. It fell off the jack and crushed him. Was a young chap with a young family trying to save a bit of money.

[dontknowitall]

My goodness!!

The stick we give people for doing diy plumbing, safety and all that ...

Now: what were those YouTube videos again?

[Phil]

In the past I've done all sorts to my cars, head gasket, brakes, full respray, torsion bars etc....

Diy on your own car can be dangerous as I found out when I removed the front spring without clamps and nearly took my 8a57ard head off.

[kirkgas]

Awesome, I think this weekend am going to have a go at changing my own discs and pads. Lots of videos on youtube on how to do it. Know any decent place to buy parts? Euro car parts looks pretty good?

whats your opinion on DIY gas work re it being a risk to the general public/neighbours of the job as by definition DIY isnt an expert, so you want to watch a video on you tube then change a safety critical part on a vehicle that you intend to drive around town, as we say on here leave it to the expert, if you crach and they check the brakes and find the critical safety pin is in backwards and that caused the slippage that lead to the crash you could go to jail (or the mortuary)

[mutley racers]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I had a go this weekend and got stuck on the first dic! The disc retaining screw was rusted on so tight that i end up shaving the shape of the star into a circle. So, am thinking they're all like this and have ordered some of these screws and then i shall proceed to drill them out. Hopefully this weekend!! If the wife hasn't planned anything

[petercj]

Not sure which screws you mean - but some sharp taps on a sturdy Phillips (+) screwdriver will sometimes help to release such screws. Better still is a Phillips bit in a socket driver - give it several sharp taps in succession.

If it's the screws in the rear drums, this will often do the trick. A pair of mole grips on the shaft of the driver often helps as well.

[mutley racers]

cheers for the info

[ManchesterGas]

I always use an impact screwdriver for those and always the correct PH/PZ bit for the screw. I have had to cut a few discs off before, they have been so far past needing replacement though

[mutley racers]

well I serviced my own van last week and it went for its MOT today and it failed!! I changed front and back disk brakes and pads and oil. And it fails on worn ball joints. I just knew it!! It always happens. You save yourself a bit of money on one thing and something else just pops up to take that sense of achievement away. Gutted!

Am still chuffed I did the disk and pads though. It is still a saving really. isn't it??????????????/

[petercj]

As it passed on the brakes, your sense of achievement should still stand.

Are you going to do the ball joints yourself?

[850Rick]

Im a car mechanic by trade i will be doing all my own work on my car lol

[R1CKY]

Always work on my own cars and vans. Brakes are easy to change, you shouldn't need a rewind tool if you're doing front brakes. The piston should just push back into the caliper. Check the level on the brake fluid reservoir as you do this, it will rise, if the reservoir has been topped up when the pads were low, it may overflow.

Remove as much debris from the pad carriers as possible with a small wire brush, and apply a smear of copper grease to the back of the pads and where the pads come in to contact with the carrier.

Discs usually come with an oily coating, this needs to be removed with brake cleaner and a cloth. After assembly, pump the brake pedal several times before setting off until firm and remember new brakes need bedding in, so take it easy and brake early.

I can highly recommend Pagid brake parts from eurocarparts.com.

Oops, hadn't realised you'd already done it, that'll teach me for not reading the whole thread!

[stratobuddy]

Are you VSR (van safe registered)?

[R1CKY]

Are you VSR (van safe registered)?

No, but I used to be Corgi

www.vectis.co.uk/AuctionImages/80/1660_l.jpg

[stratobuddy]

Here is the photo from the above link - - - 1660_l.jpg