Installing Front Brake Pads

Remove the Wheel

To access the brakes, the wheel and tire must be taken off the vehicle. This, of course, requires jacking the vehicle up and suspending it there while you work on it. Please use jack stands for safety, because if the jack fails someone could get injured or killed. Loosen the lug nuts before you jack the vehicle up, but don't remove all the way. Then jack the vehicle up, place the jack stand under the frame or front axle (if applicable), and remove the lug nuts and the wheel.

Remove the Caliper Assembly

On most vehicles, the caliper itself is held on by two large bolts, usually utilizing an Allen or hex style head. They will be located on the back of the caliper, on the side nearest the wheel well. Remove these two bolts and set them aside, then pull the caliper off of the disc by pulling upward and outward. The pads will likely come off with the caliper, and that is acceptable. The pads themselves will likely have retaining clips holding them to the caliper. Most simply pop or twist off, but remember how they went on for reinstallation. Then remove the pads and discard them.

Reset the Plunger

Now it is time to put the new pads in the caliper in preparation for reinstallation. To do this, the brake plunger must be reset to its original position. There is a tool that can be purchased at any auto store to do this, or you can simply use a c-clamp or large slip-joint pliers. The plunger takes a fair amount of force to push in, so be patient.

Install New Pads and Clips

Now that the plunger is out of the way, the new, larger pads will fit onto the caliper. Install them the same way the old ones came off, and attach the retaining clips, if applicable. The clips do not actually hold the pad on in most instances; they simply stop them from rattling around in their grooves.

Replace Caliper and Wheel

Bolt the caliper back on, using the two bolts you set aside when you removed it. Simply slide the whole assembly over the disc until the holes line up, and rethread the bolts into their slots. Make them tight, because you do not want them backing out.

Replace the Wheel and Lower the Vehicle

Now put the wheel back on the vehicle, and thread the lug nuts on, but not all the way (unless you are using an air-impact gun). Then, remove the jack stands and lower the jack until it is able to slide out from under the vehicle. Now tighten the lug nuts and your brake job is done! Be sure and check the pressure at the pedal to make sure the brakes do not need bleeding.

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