I've changed front disc brakes on dozens of cars. The Jeep Cheroke takes a lot of effort to brake the rotors loose. With a three pound hammer and several minutes of beating. However, the 2004 Mazda Tribute is the worst. After five years, and 39,000 miles, I went to change the rotors and I was in for a very unpleasant 25 minute beating with a three pound ball pein to no avail. I went to a local mechanic who was very understanding and told me to bring it to his shop. I put the old pads back on the rotor I couldn't get off and the mechanic lifted the Mazda on a rack. He put two young mechanics on the beating detail. they used an eight pound hammer and finally got the first one rotor off with ten solid minutes of beating. It came off in pieces!!! The other side was almost a frozen and took ten minutes of beating!! The rust accumulated behind the lug nut holes making them very very frozen. Whew!!
Front or rear? Drums rear?
I just paid $250 for brake pads and for them to refinish the rotars on the front only. This was at a Meineke in Philadelphia
It would be a 14 or 17 mm wrench, not Allen key. Hardly any Asian cars use Allen keys.
I used a hammer, no kidding.
its in the owner's manual. usually with pictures.
from your overflow valve
The block heater cord, on your Mazda Tribute, is located below the front grill. The court will extend out approximately 3 feet.
The front and rear brakes are both made of ceramic. i bought front and rear brakes on eBay for $80 total.
front wheel drive or 4 wheel drive capable
take off a retaining nut?
You need a 9mm to the best of my knowledge, but good luck finding one as they don't come in a standard metric set. I am still trying to find one, otherwise the stealership wants $300 to do a front brake pad replacement.
Hi, Mazda tribute front speaker size is 5 3/4" x 8". I measured them today as I had the door skin off. Cheers.