How to Replace Car Brake Pads

Car brake pads wear out with use and need to be replaced every 35,000 to 45,000 miles. If you carry heavy loads in your car or drive mostly in heavy traffic with frequent braking, your brake pads will wear out sooner. Lighter loads and less braking will increase the life of the car's brake pads.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jack
• Safety stands
• Pry bar
• Wrenches
• Socket wrenches
• Lug wrench
• Torques socket wrenches
• C clamp

1. Jack up the car and support it with safety stands. Using a pry bar or large screwdriver remove the wheel cover. Using a lug wrench, remove the wheel and tire. The brake rotor and caliper are now exposed.

2. Take out the caliper retaining bolts, or pins, using the proper wrench or socket wrench. Lift the caliper off and away from the brake rotor and caliper mount. Do not allow the caliper to hang on its own weight. Support it to prevent damage to the rubber brake hose.

3. Inspect the rotors for wear, gouges and cracks. Resurface or replace if necessary. Mark the rotors position on the hub prior to removal if resurface or replacement is necessary.

4. Remove the worn brake pads from the caliper. Note the position of the pads: one is the inboard and the other is the outboard. Use a C clamp or other compressing tool to push the caliper piston back into the bore. Position the tool over the caliper with one end on the back side and the other in contact with the piston. Turn the clamp until the piston hits the bottom of the bore.

5. Install new pads onto the caliper. Be sure to install the pads on the correct sides. The outboard pad will typically have a wear sensor on it. Use any new hardware clips that are provided or transfer the original clips if they are still usable. Set any tabs or pins that hold the pads onto the caliper. It may be necessary to wiggle the pads into place.

6. Reinstall the rotor onto the hub in its original position if you removed it for resurfacing. Reinstall the caliper onto the rotor and mount surface. Reinstall the retaining bolts or pins. Tighten securely.

7. Put the wheel and tire back on and tighten securely. Reinstall the wheel cover. Remove the safety stands and lower the car to the ground.

8. Pump the brake pedal several times to reset the caliper piston. When properly set, the pedal becomes hard and moves less.

Tips & Warnings

• The calipers should move in and out across the rotor after installing. If they do not move or are stiff, the slide pins need lubrication. Use the proper brake lube around the rubber parts of the slide pins. Do not use petroleum-based grease or oil; this will cause damage.
• Always support car with safety stands when raised.