Topic: 2006 Hyundai Sonata Break Question.

[TehRealMikey]

I'am going to sound like a complete retard asking this question. But keep in mind, I know nothing about cars.... To a certain extent. Took my car in on 4/22/16 For an oil change, and was asked if I wanted an inspection done on my car. So I thought "Sure, why not?" They guy came back and told me that my front and rear rotors are badly corroded. And that they require front and rear rotors and service brake pads.

Front rotors and service brake pads being $278.50
Rear rotors and service brakes pads being $218.50

Now I've been asking around work to see if anyone is good with this kind of . Just to save a couple hundred bucks hopefully. And last night "calipers" came up. Here's the retarded part of the question......

I don't know if my car has calipers. I don't know the difference between brake pads, calipers brake shoes or what. I just don't want to go in and replace what they put on the invoice and find out my brakes need more work.

I'll try and take pictures of mine. But its hard to see them without taking the wheels off. And I don't have the tools to do that at my house. They also mentioned something about machining some of  the corrosion off. I don't know if mine are beyond machining. And should just be replaced.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Typical disc brakes assembly looks like this:



The caliper is the sub assembly that does the work, and looks like this:



The sliders and the piston in the caliper can corrode over time causing the brakes to stick. At that point usually a replacement or remanufactured caliper assembly would be a good idea. Given the age of the car, they might be due for replacement.

Machining (turning) rotors isn't usually worth it. Replacement discs aren't that much more.

Some Sonatas of that vintage had drum rear brakes, and look like this:



They usually don't need much beyond replacement shoes and spring kit every once in a while.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

If you're interested in doing some of your own work, do yourself a favour and get a Haynes manual. Lots of pictures, and straightforward instructions.

https://haynes.com/en-us/hyundai/sonata/1999-2014

Canadian Tire stocks them, or can order them in for you.

[Fobroader]

Pads and rotors for that car should be really cheap and they are easy to do. Like Sir O mentioned, go get a Haynes manual and watch a bit of youtube. Minimal tools or skills needed. Depending on whether its a four cylinder or a V6, you can get parts for well under $300 from Can Tire or Rockauto, here is an example, this kit for a 4 cylinder is $196+shipping and has all you need. If you need calipers....thats a little more involved.

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=4661721&cc=1432008&jsn=343

[84im]

Rust in the center of the rotor is normal, since the pads don't make contact there.  If you don't know anything about cars I wouldn't recommend doing your own brakes.
Screw up a brake job and it could cost you your life.

Get a second opinion on the brakes....maybe even a third.

[rrocket]

Disregard (mostly) what they say.  I'm guessing they were just trying to rape you.

You'll (generally) know something is up with your brakes when you can feel them through the steering wheel.  Not always...but usually when they start getting wore down you can feel a scrape, or a shimmy vibration, etc..

[Trainman]

Rust in the center of the rotor is normal, since the pads don't make contact there.  If you don't know anything about cars I wouldn't recommend doing your own brakes.
Screw up a brake job and it could cost you your life.

Get a second opinion on the brakes....maybe even a third.

TehRealMikey, based on your questions, it appears that you do not have a lot of knowledge/experience with working on vehicles, so I would have to agree with 84im, I would not tackle a brake job as my first DIY automotive service experience.  That requires more than just "minimal" tools and experience.  For a lot of people on this site, a brake job is easy but for most of the population I doubt it is.  And so much depends on proper brakes.

I also agree on the second/third opinion bit.

[EV Dan]

Give me a brake 

[rrocket]

That requires more than just "minimal" tools

Really?  Do tell!  Every brake job I've done only required 3 sockets as far as tools go. (I'm talking discs here)

1) 1 socket to remove wheel/tire.

2) 1 socket to remove caliper pins.

3) If replacing rotors too, 1 socket to remove caliper. 

4)  You might also need a c-clamp or similar to push caliper pistons back in.

I would say any job requiring a mere 3 sockets is indeed minimal.  YMMV.

[Fobroader]

That requires more than just "minimal" tools

Really?  Do tell!  Every brake job I've done only required 3 sockets as far as tools go. (I'm talking discs here)

1) 1 socket to remove wheel/tire.

2) 1 socket to remove caliper pins.

3) If replacing rotors too, 1 socket to remove caliper.

I would say any job requiring a mere 3 sockets is indeed minimal.  YMMV.

Ding ding ding.......winnah winnah!!!

[rrocket]

^^I added a c-clamp too...in case pistons are grumpy.

I can't think of a simpler newbie job on a car...apart from changing the oil or putting air in the tires.

[Fobroader]

^^I added a c-clamp too...in case pistons are grumpy.

Or you can go all out and buy the $5 tool 

[rrocket]

The caliper tool I bought is "going all out"!!

Ratcheting FTW!!

[Ex-airbalancer]

If you don't have a hoist , forget it, those things are way down there 

[Trainman]

Ha Ha you guys a funny    Glad to come by for my daily laugh 

I know that most people here can do a simple brake job, and probably have dozens of sockets and other tools (I know I do) to chose from.  I however can go to a good percent of my friends and not only will they not have any sockets, they won't even know what they are.  I based my suggestion on the OP's post, the questions he asked, and the general tone.  I still don't think that doing brakes is a simple first time DIY job, especially if you don't know what a caliper is and if your car has them or not.  Start with something a bit easier, like oil changes, and work up to brakes, or better yet work with a buddy who knows.  That is how I did it and got very proficient in replacing u-joints on the half shafts of the 510 every 10,000 miles    Not everyone is mechanically inclined.

Oh, it more that some sockets too.  You forgot most importantly the jack stands, got to hold the car up safely.  You also should have a way to re-torque your wheel (lug) nuts unless you take it to a garage to do it.  Have no idea about the Sonata, are the rotors part of the hub, or separate?  If taking the hub apart, then more stuff needed, and skill in getting the right pressure on the bearings.

[rrocket]

  You forgot most importantly the jack stands, got to hold the car up safely. 

The OEM jack that comes with the car serves as the lift and the jackstand.

It will hold the car up safely forever (they aren't hydraulic).