Getting ready to replace the front disc brakes on my 1997 Elantra. Will be putting on all new rotors and calipers. Have never done this before; hoping it is fairly straightforward. Any nuisances unique to this model that I should be aware of? Any specialized tools? Thanks!

It's a pretty standard setup split caliper design. It shouldn't be any problem. The only problem is the bleeding sequence. The jury is still out on the proper order.

I just got front rotors and bearings delivered yesterday. My drivers side front rotor is warped and the bearing on the passenger side front is making noise. Total cost was $56 at http://www.brakepadsandbrakerotors.com for the rotors and bearings with free shipping. Not quite sure how to tackle the job though.

The Haynes manual and most of the posts I've found say remove the whole knuckle and bring it to a machine shop to have the old parts pressed off and the new ones on.

I'm wondering how those hub pullers work. What comes off... the hub and rotor only or does the bearing come with it as well?

This post has been edited by ElantraBoy98: Oct 1 2009, 08:58 AM

Not sure what you're talking about.
What is a "hub puller"?
Your link doesn't work

I see what you're saying, yeah there's a special tool. It pulls out the hub, then you drive the bearing out of the knuckle (in a perfect world.)

Sorry...
That link should be http://www.brakepadsandbrakerotors.com/

Could one of these pullers do the job?
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/sto...54081_200354081
I think AutoZone lends these out for free.

Those special Hyundai tools are probably more expensive than paying someone to do the job.




This post has been edited by ElantraBoy98: Oct 1 2009, 09:18 AM

So you realize you need to buy two rotors? They don't come two to a package. Brake pads are different, they give you enough to to two rotors.

Oh, I see. You DO get two rotors. Well, that is pretty cheap.

This post has been edited by jsinton: Oct 1 2009, 09:10 AM

A hub puller is exactly what it sounds like ,it's a tool that pulls the hub away from the yoke straight so as not to bind anything up while seperating everything . With your knowledge of cars you should have already known this jsinton ?. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

How did you make out with those brakes?

Decided not to do mine myself this time around. I took it to a shop and with 2 guys on it with air tools and a hydraulic press it took them 2.5 hours to do both front bearings and rotors. I watched them do it. Removing the knuckle didn't look too difficult. Those bearings are really hard to replace. Total cost was $150 for the labor + what I spent on parts.

The next time you do this, remove the entire knuckle, and take it along with the new bearing to a qualified machine shop. They will use a press to get the old bearing out of the hub and put the new one in. The machine shop charge for this job runs about $65 per side.

To remove the knuckle, the only specialized tool needed is a tie rod separator - this makes the tie rod come out of the knuckle like butter, much easier than a splitting fork, and less destructive on the tie rod end. Do not use a splitting fork unless you plan to replace the tie rod end. Cost of the tool should be about $25. After you remove the strut bolts and remove the tie rod from the knuckle, gentle tapping with a rubber mallet should push the axle end right out of the hub - no need for the hub puller unless something is seriously wrong. If worse comes to worse, and the axle will not come out of the hub, just pry out the axle from the trans and take the axle/knuckle assembly to the machine shop to separate - you are going there anyway, and they will get it out in a jiffy, most likely at no charge if they are doing your bearings.

Frank
Frank's Friendly Cars
Maui Car Rental
www.MauiCarRental.biz