A brake job, or changing your brake pads, is a great do-it-yourself project. Before you begin, it is important to remember that the brakes are the single most important system in your car. Take plenty of time to familiarize yourself with them before you start working. Also, it is a good idea to work on one side at a time in case you run into trouble, as you will have the other side to use as a reference. This guide covers how to change the front disc brakes on your car, since front brakes provide most of the stopping power.
Preparation for brake pad replacement:
You will need to buy brake pads before beginning this project. Make sure they come with an anti-squeal device such as a shim, or purchase specially made fluid to apply to the back of the brake pads.
Brake pads come in several different types. Cheaper pads generally wear out faster and leave an unsightly black dust on your front wheels. More expensive pads leave less dust, but harder pads may be more prone to squealing.
Change your brake pads:
- Set the parking brake and block the rear tires so that the car cannot move.
- Loosen the lug nuts.
- Raise the car with a jack and place it securely on jackstands.
- Remove the lug nuts and take off the wheel.
- You will now see the brake calipers holding the brake pads in place against the rotor. There are two pads per wheel that squeeze the rotor. Use a C-clamp to compress the caliper piston into the caliper housing. This makes it possible to remove the caliper assembly and creates space for the increased width of the new brake pads.
- Unbolt the caliper mounting bolts and pull the caliper back from the rotor. Be careful not to bend or break the brake hose. Sometimes caliper mounting bolts require a Torx or star bit instead of a normal socket set. Plan ahead and make sure you have the right tools to save yourself an extra trip to the auto parts store.
- Remove the brake pads from the caliper. Examine them for unusual or uneven wear. Is only one pad wearing down? Are the pads wearing at an angle? These can be signs of underlying problems that need to be addressed immediately.
- This is also a good time to examine the condition of the rotors. If they have deep grooves or if you have noticed that the car shudders when you apply the brakes, you will need to get the rotors resurfaced (turned) or replaced.
- Install the new brake pads in the caliper. Usually, it is best to place the inner pad first, followed by the outer pad. You may need to depress the piston fully into the caliper housing to provide enough space for the new pads.
- Once the pads are properly seated in the caliper, place the caliper back over the rotor and bolt it firmly in place.
- Once everything is secure, put the wheel back on, hand-tighten the lug nuts, and lower the car to the ground. Finish tightening the lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure even pressure.
Test your brakes! Carefully check your brakes and brake fluid levels before entering traffic. Sometimes air can enter the brake lines when you change the brake pads. If this happens, you will need to bleed the brakes before driving the car.
Caution: Some brake pads contain asbestos, which is a known carcinogen. Do not inhale dust.
How to Change Brake Pads
How to Change Brake Pads : Multi-thousand tips to make your life easier.
A brake job, or changing your brake pads, is a great do-it-yourself project. Before you begin, it is important to remember that the brakes are the single most important system in your car. Take plenty of time to familiarize yourself with them before you start working. Also, it is a good idea to work on one side at a time in case you run into trouble, as you will have the other side to use as a reference. This guide covers how to change the front disc brakes on your car, since front brakes provide most of the stopping power.
Preparation for brake pad replacement:
You will need to buy brake pads before beginning this project. Make sure they come with an anti-squeal device such as a shim, or purchase specially made fluid to apply to the back of the brake pads.
Brake pads come in several different types. Cheaper pads generally wear out faster and leave an unsightly black dust on your front wheels. More expensive pads leave less dust, but harder pads may be more prone to squealing.
Change your brake pads:
- Set the parking brake and block the rear tires so that the car cannot move.
- Loosen the lug nuts.
- Raise the car with a jack and place it securely on jackstands.
- Remove the lug nuts and take off the wheel.
- You will now see the brake calipers holding the brake pads in place against the rotor. There are two pads per wheel that squeeze the rotor. Use a C-clamp to compress the caliper piston into the caliper housing. This makes it possible to remove the caliper assembly and creates space for the increased width of the new brake pads.
- Unbolt the caliper mounting bolts and pull the caliper back from the rotor. Be careful not to bend or break the brake hose. Sometimes caliper mounting bolts require a Torx or star bit instead of a normal socket set. Plan ahead and make sure you have the right tools to save yourself an extra trip to the auto parts store.
- Remove the brake pads from the caliper. Examine them for unusual or uneven wear. Is only one pad wearing down? Are the pads wearing at an angle? These can be signs of underlying problems that need to be addressed immediately.
- This is also a good time to examine the condition of the rotors. If they have deep grooves or if you have noticed that the car shudders when you apply the brakes, you will need to get the rotors resurfaced (turned) or replaced.
- Install the new brake pads in the caliper. Usually, it is best to place the inner pad first, followed by the outer pad. You may need to depress the piston fully into the caliper housing to provide enough space for the new pads.
- Once the pads are properly seated in the caliper, place the caliper back over the rotor and bolt it firmly in place.
- Once everything is secure, put the wheel back on, hand-tighten the lug nuts, and lower the car to the ground. Finish tightening the lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure even pressure.
Test your brakes! Carefully check your brakes and brake fluid levels before entering traffic. Sometimes air can enter the brake lines when you change the brake pads. If this happens, you will need to bleed the brakes before driving the car.
Caution: Some brake pads contain asbestos, which is a known carcinogen. Do not inhale dust.