superangrypenguin

As I am in the process of cheapening out on repairs (you guys all know why), one of the things I may have to do in the short term is to replace my front brakes (pads only, not rotors as I'm cheapening out).

As per various Youtube videos, it seems that folks usually put the car on a hoist so they can turn the rotors/pads towards them in order to loosen the bolts. Well, I don't have access to that. Everything looks straight forward, but my question is, can you replace the pads while the steering wheel is pointed directly forward?

Adi-Benz

Yes. I don't have a lift but use the backup Jack and do 1 side at a time. No need to turn wheels, as I've done both sides at once.

W204Motorsports

I have two jacks and always jack up each side so its leveled and easier to work on. If you only have one jack, its not necessary to turn the wheels but it does make it easier so just turn the wheel before you jack it up and that should make it more accessible.

Tom in Austin

There is a lifting point in the center of the front crossmember, so a single floor jack can get the front end up off the ground.

W204Motorsports

Right, I forgot about that jack point but the sport model bumper is way to low to reach it, even with a low profile jack. I guess you could drive it up ramps and then jack it up.

superangrypenguin

Anyone know what the torque specs are for the nuts/bolts on the calipers?

Just204

snug them and then tighten just a bit more, OEM pads come with new pad bolts that have lock tite on them so they should stay fine, they are not heavy duty and are one time use so some common sense helps when deciding how tight to make them. I would remove the caliper brackets and clean the pad contact points thoroughly so the pads don't hang up over use, also use a little lube on them as well. caliper bracket bolts just get them real nice and tight, you won't break those bolts. I have never found the need to torque bolts for brakes lol.