How to Install High Performance Brakes on a Classic Muscle Car
An investment of a classic muscle car runs into some money; however, it can be a showpiece in your car collection. Your classic muscle car might look amazing on the outside and may even have an engine that purrs like a kitten. Hence, the reason why installing high performance parts, such as brakes, is so important for the overall value of your vehicle.
Supply List
- High performance brake shoes
- High performance calipers
- High performance rotors
- Bricks or rocks
- Cross bar tire iron
- Lug nut wrench
- Mallet
- C-clamp
- Bolts
- Rag
- Screwdriver
- Wrenches
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Pliers
- Mounting bolts
- Go to your local auto supply store and find high performance parts for your car. You will need to purchase high performance brake shoes, high performance rotors and high performance calipers. Compare prices and reviews from different manufacturers before you make a purchase.
- Park your car on a level surface. Place bricks or rocks behind the back tires to ensure the vehicle does not coast backwards.
- Use a pump or baster to siphon out about two-thirds of the fluid from the brake fluid reservoir.
- Use a cross bar tire iron to loosen the lug nuts on both front tires.
- Use your floor jack to elevate the vehicle. Place jack stands underneath the vehicle to situate the vehicle in its current position.
- Finish loosening the lug nuts in both of your tires using your tire iron. It is easier to work on one side at a time.
- Remove the caliper from the vehicle first. Remove the brake shoes next, and then remove the rotor. You should work in this order when you work on the brakes on the other side of the vehicle also.
- Mount the new rotors first. You will then want to install the new brake shoes. Finally, put in your new, high performance caliper. Always remember, work backward from the when you dissemble the parts, so whichever parts your removed last, should be the first you install.
- Work on the brakes on the other side of the vehicle.
- Fill up your brake fluid.
- Lower the vehicle back down to the ground.
- Place your wheels back on the car.