This thread seems to be full of mechanics and lawyers it brakes my heart

  If the brakes are strong enough i would think that the added surface area  of the larger tires would infact increase your stopping ability.

  If the brakes are strong enough i would think that the added surface area  of the larger tires would infact increase your stopping ability.

nah, the increased rotating mass easily overcomes the increased contact patch.

nah, the increased rotating mass easily overcomes the increased contact patch.

Bingo.

Brakes aren't bad to do by yourself.

Goto Autozone and get a Haynes manual. Nice starter DIY book. Read up on the brake section, ask tons of questions here, you'll get it done!

Give yourself a weekend, and make sure you have all the tools and parts you'll need. Ask questions!

You can do it! You know how I know?

Cause we where all there once!! 

Here you go, don't even need to buy a book.  Pictures and all.

front brakes:

http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1e/10/2d/0900823d801e102d/repairInfoPages.htm

rear brakes:

http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1e/11/00/0900823d801e1100/repairInfoPages.htm

Everything else you need is right there.  Got questions or need help?  Ask here.

Really - the most underlooked upgrade is breaks. I've beat a LOT LOT LOT of people on the track with WAY faster cars & motorcycles because I focused on BREAKS. The faster you can slow down, the safer you are - and the better track times you'll have.

How could you have beaten a LOT LOT LOT of people on the track when you were in the pit's broken because you focused on the BREAKS? 

And for those follow this, its BRAKES not breaks. 

im relieved someone finally said something

and before i forget... its LOSE not LOOSE

 

Tim, the LAST job I would attempt to do myself as a FIRST job is brakes--now that's not just irresponsible, it could be murder.

I'll come up with the scratch and get her done, but she's been riding fine and no noise/squealing at all.

Ira,

I think you're being really hard on yourself.  If you know your left from your right, and can read, you CAN do this.  Even if you don't have a friend or woman to help you bleed the brakes, no problem.  Speed bleeders are cheap, and make it a 1 man job.

Loaded calipers can be had at Rock Auto for under $40, and that's if you need calipers.  Sounds like all you need is pads, which are under $12.  In the rear, shoes cost $8, and wheel cylinders if you need them (only if they are leaking) are just $6.  Rotors are under $10 each (cheaper than turning the ones you have), and drums are $37, but those could be turned at a NAPA for $10 each (again, if it it needs them because of scoring).

If I do the math, to do a true COMPLETE brake job, it would cost only $194 for parts, plus shipping (which is less than tax at a parts store) and some fluid and stuff, for under $250, you'd have new calipers, rotors, pads, wheel cylinders, shoes and drums.  At a shop, that could set you back $1000 easy.  And you'd have completely new brakes and the peace of mind that you are safe, and that you didn't get screwed by the shop.

Again, it NOT that hard at all.  Hell, if you made the trip to my place (don't know where you are), I'd let you use my shop and I would help you do it.  In total, it would take about 2-2.5 hours tops.  Its a very empowering feeling that YOU fixed the truck.

And with that extra $750, you could buy some nice bits for the Kicker.

Even if you don't have a friend or woman to help you bleed the brakes, no problem.  Speed bleeders are cheap, and make it a 1 man job.

also I know Schucks and madbe even zone rent hand vacuum bleaders for cheep There slick. I bought one for $44 and love it
Good luck with the brakes

Ryan 
 

My wife did the brakes on her car last month. She watched me do one wheel and did the others with no problem. It was probably the first mechanical thing she has ever don. If she can do it any one can

Ira,

I think you're being really hard on yourself.  If you know your left from your right, and can read, you CAN do this.  Even if you don't have a friend or woman to help you bleed the brakes, no problem.  Speed bleeders are cheap, and make it a 1 man job.

Loaded calipers can be had at Rock Auto for under $40, and that's if you need calipers.  Sounds like all you need is pads, which are under $12.  In the rear, shoes cost $8, and wheel cylinders if you need them (only if they are leaking) are just $6.  Rotors are under $10 each (cheaper than turning the ones you have), and drums are $37, but those could be turned at a NAPA for $10 each (again, if it it needs them because of scoring).

If I do the math, to do a true COMPLETE brake job, it would cost only $194 for parts, plus shipping (which is less than tax at a parts store) and some fluid and stuff, for under $250, you'd have new calipers, rotors, pads, wheel cylinders, shoes and drums.  At a shop, that could set you back $1000 easy.  And you'd have completely new brakes and the peace of mind that you are safe, and that you didn't get screwed by the shop.

Again, it NOT that hard at all.  Hell, if you made the trip to my place (don't know where you are), I'd let you use my shop and I would help you do it.  In total, it would take about 2-2.5 hours tops.  Its a very empowering feeling that YOU fixed the truck.

And with that extra $750, you could buy some nice bits for the Kicker.

Okay---let me think about this and I'll Pm you and others.

I'm unemployed now, so I sure as hell have the time.

I'm unemployed now, so I sure as hell have the time.

And you could use keeping the labor cost in your pocket.

I just checked your profile.  Your south FLA.  I don't think it would be cost effective to stop by my place.

BUT, you could prolly find a fellow Zooker in your general vicinity that may offer to help, should you get hung up, but I don't think that should happen.  The fronts are wicked easy, the rear isn't much harder.

*in the voice of the freaky 'roid-fueled guy who sells the Gazelle exerciser in infomercials*

YOU CAN DO IT!!! 

also I know Schucks and madbe even zone rent hand vacuum bleaders for cheep There slick. I bought one for $44 and love it
Good luck with the brakes

Ryan 
 

For some one that has never done a brake job before, bleeding brakes is a step or two over comfort or  knowledge level. I know it is a part of a complete brake job but you do not have to bleed the brakes if you only have to change the pad's/shoes and resurface the disk's/drums.

Ira, a brake job is an easy thing to do. Don't take it wrong but I think most of us replying have been wrenchin' since school if not earlier, or they have been speed wrenchin'.

Just follow the instructions, take your time and have faith in yourself. I don't want to sound like dr fill but you can do it.

Oh, and just for some heads up. The drums take more cussin', throwing of tools, lookin' at books, and asking of question's than the disk's do. Don't be scared of the words but just be aware that the springs holding the shoes will fight all the way, they have a mind of their own at times. It will help if you have the correct tool here which you can rent I believe from schucks and those kind of stores. But a couple of screw drivers, a good sized pair of pliers and an attitude can do the same thing.