today i attempted to do some work on the 2003 toyota matrix. it needs the rotors changed and the oil changed. the oil has been due for the past 2,000 miles. also, the brake rotors are very wobbly. the car has 123,000 miles +/- so i think the rotors are ready to go.
i got the jackstands, jack, wrenches, sockets, and everything else i thought i would need to perform the brake job. but the job came to a screeching halt when i started to break the wheel nuts loose. i ended up snapping my socket extension – it sheared right off!
NOTE TO ANYONE DOING WORK ON YOUR CAR OR ANYONE ELSES WHEN PUTTING WHEELS BACK ON. USE A TORQUE WRENCH PLEASE! THANK YOU!
after some struggles and using some intuition, i got the last nut loose. i ended up using the jack to get some mechanical advantage to break the last nut. it worked and i was able to move to the next step to get the brake caliper off to lift out the brake pads. then i came to another stop. i couldn’t find the 17mm wrench or the 1/4″ socket. it was probably lost during the move. after a few feeble attempts with a crescent wrench, i succumbed.
tools i need:
1/2″ socket extension
17″ wrench
1/4″ ratchet wrench
this week i have to remind myself to pick these up…hopefully i can make a post about how my brake job was a success soon.