How to Change Your Brake Pads and Rotors

Do-it-by yourself and lower your expenses! Save cash by accomplishing-it-yourself. Regardless how you say it, it can definitely insert up. I like the phrase a lot that I believe I will ensure it is my new mantra. Probably it is best to much too. I have literally saved Countless pounds by executing my very own automobile repairs. Among The best DIY projects you are able to do is undertaking your individual brake career.

This task is relatively easy when compared to other repairs but you will find Plenty of measures concerned and they should be followed carefully. We're going to crack it down into three sections; (one) taking away the brake pads, (1a) eliminating and replacing the rotors (brake discs), and (2) reinstalling the brake pads. If you are just replacing your brake pads, skip 1a and bounce to section two immediately after finishing element 1.

I should really point out that we are talking about disc brakes only. Disc brakes will both be discovered on the entrance wheels only or each entrance and rear. Some autos have drum brakes within the rear wheels and also the process for changing them is a little distinctive. Do you think you're All set? Okay, let's start out.

Sections checklist

Brake Pads

Brake rotors [a.k.a. discs] (if applicable)

Brake rotor keep-down bolts (if relevant)

Caliper guidebook bolts (change if bad)

Caliper tutorial bolt bushings

Brake pad sensor wires(if relevant)

Brake components cleaner

Anti-squeal compound

Brake parts grease

Anti-seize compound

Applications listing

Breaker bar

Ratchet & Sockets (SAE and Metric)

Allen bits for ratchet

Different screw drivers

Wire cleansing brush

Caliper piston Device/medium C-clamp

Shop rags

Bungee wire

Nitrile gloves

Rubber mallet

Torque wrench

Portion 1

Switching the brake pads

1st, choose if your likely to exchange the pads at all 4 wheels or perhaps two. You'll swap the pads in pairs, front wheels or rear wheels. For a complete career and very best success, do all 4 wheels. If the price range and/or time constraints won't make it possible for it, do front or rear. The entrance wheel brake calipers, pads, and rotors are greater than Those people about the rear and cost somewhat more. The processes for both of those are generally exactly the same.

By analyzing whether the brake career is for two wheels or 4 may also ascertain regardless of whether you'll jack the front, rear, or both of those ends of your automobile. For those who have an impact gun to eliminate the lug nuts in the wheels, you may continue Along with the jacking. If You need to clear away the lug nuts using a crowbar, you must loosen them just a bit (breaking the seize) whilst the wheels are on the bottom. Once the wheels are within the air, They might transform freely, that will make taking away the lug nuts very difficult, if not difficult. Safely jack the automobile after which you can assistance it on jack stands. Never ever accomplish perform when a vehicle is just supported by a jack. Jacks fall short and you may well be putting your life at risk.

The moment a wheel is removed, get rid of the anti-rattle clip (if relevant) by prying it and sliding it out with a significant screwdriver. Subsequent, let's clear away the brake caliper. For the front wheels, it might be needed to transform the steering totally both to the best or into the left to accessibility the caliper information bolts. Commonly, they are around the back again aspect of your caliper. The caliper tutorial bolts can have dust caps. These will be made from rubber or plastic. Use a small screwdriver to pry them out. After the caps are taken off, the bolt heads are going to be uncovered.

Utilizing your ratchet and the right socket or Allen little bit, take out the two bolts. Grasp the caliper and pull it away from the rotor. You may need to utilize a substantial screwdriver to pry it free. Take away The 2 brake pads with the caliper, prying if vital. One brake pad might be attached towards the caliper piston by a clip. Loosen the clip as well as the pad will drop out. Should your motor vehicle is supplied with brake pad sensor wires, meticulously take away the wire through the pad. The sensor wire might be on just one pad of possibly the appropriate or still left wheel. Make Observe of which wheel has the wire.

Now, its time and energy to re-compress the caliper piston. As brake pads use, they lead to the piston to thrust even more and even more out on the caliper. The piston have to be pushed back again in to be able to match the new, thicker brake pad set up. You should use among the old pads in addition to a piston compression Software or c-clamp to thrust it back again in. Basically spot the previous pad on top of the piston and tighten the Software or c-clamp to push it back again in position.

Use your bungee wire to hold the weighty caliper from your spring or suspension carrier when you prepare to set up the new pads. By no means calipers to hold by their brake traces as They can be hefty and will destruction the road. Spot a couple of rags under the pieces and spray brake sections cleaner liberally for the caliper, bolts, bracket, and so on. to thoroughly clean up almost everything. You may have to use Brake shoes with linings factory your wire cleansing brush too.