Do the non akebono brakes (non sports pkg) allow for the same easy pin out brake job procedure?

No

Nice find. I like having the pictures to refer to. I'm going to change my pads this weekend to Hawk HPS pads.

One more question. Will a caliper spreader fit in the top of the caliper? I have one that I used on my Corvette when I changed the pads. I also like the idea of changing one pad at a time. That should make the job easier.

not sure if it will fit or not, depends on the design I guess. I just use two large flat blade screwdrivers, and I do it before I take the worn pads out since it doesn't matter if they get a little chipped up.

Thanks Mike. I am going to try the spreader first, but if that doesn't work I'll try the old pads or screwdrivers. The caliper spreader worked great on the Corvette, but you had to unbolt the calipers to change the pads on it.

So you pry against the old pad to push the calipers in, and then just slide the old pad out? Do the calipers stay retracted once you press them in?

You can also use the old pad itself as a pry by using it on end. The piston you push on will stay retracted until you push on the piston next to it in which case it may pop out a little again (fluid following the path of least resistance). Just go back and forth on the 2 pistons a couple of times and it should be fine. If you are increasing thickness significantly it will be a good idea to suck out some brake fluid first.

The right tools make this very easy:
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/a...cSpreader4.jpg

yah, but you dont need fansy tools just to open up the caliper. like in my earlier picture, just use large channel-locks with the rubber protective tips (sold at sears).

What size wrench do the Akebono bleeder valves use?

Of the top of my head I think it is an 11mm, but it could have been a 10mm.

10mm for sure. Just bled mine last weekend.

This one might be a bit fancy (but I love it).
But I would defintly use a spreader instead of the channel-locks you had.

Reason being that you don't want to put uneven pressure on the piston as this can lead to the piston to bind up or the seal to start leaking in the long run.

10mm it is. Just got back from Home Depot (got myself a nice little set of wrenches). Thanks guys.

Forgot I had speed bleeders, those were 11mm.