How to Change the Brake Pads in Your Car

Changing the brake pads in your car is necessary to keep it running smoothly and safely. By learning to change your brakes, you will save money and become better acquainted with your car. So the next time you hear the tell tale screeching of your brakes, make some time and change them yourself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Jack
• Jack stand
• Tire iron
• Wooden blocks
• Axle grease
• Brake pads or a brake pad replacement kit
• C-clamp

Preparing the Car for Maintenance

1. Park your car in a shady spot and place blocks behind the rear wheels to prevent the car from rolling. Set the parking brake, making sure it is locked in place.
2. Loosen the lugnuts on the front wheel using a tire iron.
3. Lift the car up using the jack that came with your model or a hydraulic jack which should be placed between the wheel well and car door for better support. Place jack stands under the car as a back up in case the jack fails.
4. Take the lugnuts off and place them in an organized manner. Completely remove the wheel, laying it face up between the jack and jack stand as further insurance.

Changing the Brake Pads

5. Remove the bolts holding the caliper in place. The caliper should be positioned towards the front of the car and is the device that clamps the brake pads against the rotor.
6. Check the rotor for uneven wear or grooves. You should be able to see yourself in it. If you find any abnormalities, it may need to be repaired or replaced.
7. Depress the piston so the new brake pads will fit. Do so by using a C-clamp around the rotor to push in the piston, which is located on the back of the rotor. Be sure to place cardboard or the old brake pads between the clamp and the rotor to prevent scratching its surface.
8. Remove the clips and/or bolts holding the brake pads in place inside the caliper. Grease the back of the new brake pads and put them in place. Reattach the clips and/or bolts.
9. Re-assemble the system in the reverse order that you took it apart. Put the caliper back on the rotor, place the wheel back on and screw on the lugnuts. Remove the jacks and, finally, tighten the lugnuts.
10. Repeat the process on the side of the car and then take it out for a test drive before driving it regularly. When testing, drive no more than 25 mph. You will quickly find out if you replaced the brake pads properly.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful if you need to go underneath the vehicle, as it may fall if the jack and jack stand fail. Never depend on a jack to hold a car up for more than a few minutes.
• If you have driven the car in the past 30 minutes, the rotor may be hot to the touch. Allow the car time to cool before attempting to change the brake pads.