Rrrgh.

So, some shimmy under light brakes at speed. Solid bushings and other suspension geometry, no trouble at less than say 60 MPH. Must be the rotors. Easy fix. Order new fronts (and what the hell, rears) from BMA for $197 shipped, Mintex pads and El Cheapo rotors, ought to do me fine. Print out relevant Bentley pages, collect tools, start work.

Please bear in mind I've never even changed a tire on this car, just the stereo.

So I start on the right hand front because ... well, just because. The only bit that gives me some trouble are the break pad carrier mounting bolts, but being on the right hand side, couple of whangs on the wrench breaks them loose. Gravity helps me here. Those of you who've done the brakes, you know what I mean; wrench handle points towards the front of the vehicle, lefty-loosey is towards the ground because the head of the bolt is away from you.

So, right side rotor and pads are replaced. Brilliant. Move to left. Dismount wheel. Remove caliper and pads. CANNOT GET THE FREAKING PAD CARRIER MOUNTING BOLTS LOOSE.

I don't have a lift, I don't have an impact wrench, I don't even (god help me) have any WD-40 or Liquid Wrench handy, so I bang on the bloody things for a good 30 minutes, no traction. It's tough, because I have to push the wrench *up* to loosen the bolts (remember, I'm on the left side now) and I can't get a good swing with the hammer I'm using to abuse my wrench.

Son. Of. A. Bitch.

So, it's getting late, I resign myself to leaving the old rotor in place temporarily until I figure out how to get those things off, and drive off into the night with one new rotor and two new sets of pads. I'll leave the rears for later.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks for staying with me so far. Besides "pay someone else to do it," "get a lift" or "buy an impact wrench," anybody have any advice?

Thanks in advance. I'm still totally in love with this car.

-Zak-