I’m not a mechanic, and I’m honestly not very handy around vehicles at all. In the end though, I NEED to know how to perform basic services and repairs on my vehicle, as there most likely won’t be someone else around to do it in the remote places that I plan to travel. I’ve already experienced this a number of times over the past 8+ months of EEXP ownership. The other obvious benefit to doing your own vehicle servicing is the cost savings, which is EXTREMELY important to an adventure overland vagabond like myself.
Brakes are very important when logging big miles, on and off pavement, in a big heavy overland adventuremobile like the EEXP. It really is important that you replace the pads and rotors with quality parts that can handle the extremes they are sure to be subjected to.
First step for a major brake overhaul is to get a Haynes or similar repair manual for your specific vehicle, I carry one at all times. Next step is to have quality tools that work for your specific vehicle. The last, and most important, step is to get high quality parts at a great price, which is where OSCARO Auto Parts comes in. I used high quality Wagner Brake Pads and Wagner Brake Rotors, supplied by OSCARO, to service the brakes on the EEXP.
Check out the following link for a detailed break down of the steps required to service the EEXP‘s brakes, which you can directly translate to your own vehicle:
OSCARO BLOG: Exploring Elements Changes The Brakes On Their Dodge Ram 2500
I did have a few issues, mostly stemming from not having the proper tools. The biggest pain on this job was unbolting the brake caliper brackets. This requires a 16 mm 12 point socket, a breaker bar, a LONG extension and lots of PB Blaster. Due to not having a 3/8″ breaker bar, and not having a 16 mm 12 point 1/2″ socket to go on my 1/2″ breaker bar, I managed to snap four 1/2″-3/8″ adapters and break the internals of a 3/8″ ratchet. Lesson learned; have and use the right tools for the job!
(DISCLAIMER: OSCARO provided these brake parts in exchange for online content.)
