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[bert]

Hi all ive been told brake pads need changing soon how can i tell how much  i have  left and is it an easy task to renew them i never done brake pads before would like  to try diy.
cheers

[Varche]

easy enough job to do. However you need to have the corner you are working on safely up in the air as you need to remove the wheel. Don't for example just use the car jack.

Once the wheel is off you can see fairly easily the amount of pad left.

Although some chapters in Haynes manuals get the mickey taken sometimes, it is still a useful starting point with a wealth of info. They pop up at car boot sales regular enough.

[bert]

Thanks Varche i have a couple of axle stands ill have a go 

[miggy]

Get a new wear sensor (Front) if fitted as you can bet your life the old one will not come out in one piece, you can get them on ebay for a few quid.

[bert]

is there only one sensor or are there one sensor on each wheel

[miggy]

is there only one sensor or are there one sensor on each wheel

Just the one, from memory mine was on the passenger side

[Glyn]

Hi
I,ve just done mine last weekend. Very easy actually.
However if you are doing the rears as well I would recomend you get pads that have new pins and springs with them, as my springs fell apart and were unusable once removed. I got mine from this chap. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Omega-Rear-Brake-Pads-pins-springs-G-M-Part-/220614786925?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item335daa7f6d.

[Andy B]

is there only one sensor or are there one sensor on each wheel

Just the one, from memory mine was on the passenger side

It depends how old your car is. The very late cars only have one (someone will know the date  ) but all others have two 

[charlie]

up to my 2000 has two sensors,my year2001 onwards as one 

[Aicis]

Its easy to check the pads when the wheel is off.
I did mine about a month ago - real easy. took me about an hour/each side with all setups and clearups as i did them over 2 days.
Your brake discs probably will need skimming as well or just replace them (they will look nice and shiny ). Replacement of the disc is real easy as log as you have gotten it off.

[bert]

Thanks for the feedback guys much obliged ps my car is a 99 will there be two sensors?

[Aicis]

My car has 2 sensors on front pads, so yours probably has 2 as well.

[jonathanh]

the other question is by someone has suggested changing the brake pads.  obviously because they are worn but what is the condition of the disks? they can wear at a similar rate and possible they wear unevenly

what this means is that a) it may not be economical to change pads alone as you'll be back soon changing disks and

b) if you have uneven wear on the disks then new pads are not going to help

changing disks as well is not difficult so do not get put off:  just make sure you have all the parts you need to change at once and take your time

[bert]

 I was told disc,s are fine not much wear will this be ok not to change disc,s

[Aicis]

I would recommend skimming them.
You wont be able to do it by yourself unless you have the equipment of which im sure you have not.
I wasnt very keen on stretching the time i spend on changing the pads, so i just bought a set of discs and pads and changed them all.
The set was 109 quid from my local vauxhall dealer, but im sure you will get it cheaper as you are on mainland