How hard is it to change front discs and pads?

[AtreuS]

Yes im a total car nub before anyone comments

I have a simple question. Ive just had the car ( focus 1.8 collection 2001 y-reg ) moted and taxed and ive had an advisory on the pads and discs, front only as its not ABS the back drums and shoes are fine.

Ive been quoted approx £200 for standard ford parts ( fitted ) and tested. They claimed to properly clean and fit the discs/pads takes 2.5 hours so a lot is labour costs.

Ive just priced up standard ford discs and pads and its £76 delivered, and thats just the first place i looked.

So how hard is it to do myself? i have no tools but i have a friend who is a motorbike nut and im quite sure hes got the kind of kit we need. Hes on holiday atm so i cant ask him if hes done this before, though i bet he has.

Is the garage scaring me with the old "if not done by a professional your wheels will come off and you will die" routine?

Of course i know that brakes and wheels arent things to take lightly in regards to safety but saving myself £120 by doing it myself seems daft not to consider.

 

[AtreuS]

It's a couple hour job if you don't know what you're doing. And clean them? wtf?!

They taking you for a ride.

He said something about making sure no rust sets in, by properly greasing or somesuch crap.

The garage is usually very trustworthy and i always get an idea of parts costs and so on when using them. He did my pads last year for £45 all in, which makes me wonder why the sudden price increase. Of course i know that getting the discs off could be a bit of a pain due to rusting on and so on, so im in uncharted waters.

To give me an idea what sort of tools would i need. A jack of some kind of course, and a wheel wrench to get the nuts off.. is it just a case of whacking the old discs off the mounts, cleaning up a bit and slapping them on then doing the fiddly shoes and adjusting?

 

[AtreuS]

Where abouts are you based mate? anywhere near Bedfordshire? I'd do it for you for few beer tokens

Thanks for the offer but im in manchest-ahhh!

From what you are saying im pretty sure my mate will have the tools and know-how.

I was just after a bit of an idea as like i say im a "put petrol in it until it breaks then panic" kind of motorist