well i usually change my brake pads but when I tried to take out the bolt to swing the caliper open the bolt would just spin and i see a plate that seems to turn while i turn the bolt do i need a special tool for this job?

 

Here are two DIYs. You didn't specify what vehicle you have (or if you were doing front or back pads), so I got you front and back.

FRONT > http://www.8thcivic.com/forums....html

BACK > http://www.8thcivic.com/forums....html

If you haven't visited 8thcivic.com, give it a look. I find both H-T.com and 8th to be helpful for different things, but 8th has a pretty large, and specific DIY section. This Civic (2006-Current) forum used to have a DIY section but it was removed.

Good luck.

 

your unscrewing the wrong bolt.

 

thanks brand new to this model that helps alot

 

what bolt ? i was doing almost what the picture is showing except for the wrench on the pin. which bolt is it?

 

so you have the normal bolt that you unscrew to lift the caliper up. take a 19mm wrench (i think) and use it to hold the pin thats right in front of the bolt, and unscrew the bolt and it will come off.