How to Shave Brake Pads

The friction created between rotor and brake pads can cause defects in the pad.

When replacing only the brake rotors on your vehicle, the pads may have slight grooves or a smooth glaze to them. If you place the pads on new rotors in this condition, it can cause damage to the newly replaced rotors. To save money and to save additional work in the future, remove and shave the brake pads. This process removes a thin layer of the brake pad and creates a rough surface to provide optimal friction to stop the vehicle.

Things You'll Need

• 500-grit sandpaper (6 inches long and 4 inches wide)
• 4-inch long 2-inch by 4-inch block of wood
• Wood staples
• Staple gun
• Clean shop cloth
• Brake parts cleaner

Instructions

1. Place the sandpaper on the block of wood so the 4-inch width of the wood and 4-inch width of the sandpaper match up.

2. Fold the ends of the sandpaper up and staple them to the ends of the wood block, using the staple gun and wood staples.

3. Place the piece of wood on a flat, hard surface, with the sandpaper facing upward.

4. Grab the brake pad by its metal backing.

5. Rub the brake pad's friction material the length of the sandpaper, repeatedly.

6. Repeat step 5 until the pad's friction material is sanded evenly.

7. Spray the brake pad's friction material and wipe it clean with the shop cloth. This removes any brake dust left behind from sanding.

8. Repeat steps 4 through 7 for any other pads needing shaved.

9. Reinstall the brake pads.

Tips & Warnings

• If the brake pads are slightly uneven in thickness after sanding, this is not a concern as the caliper's piston will adjust to compensate for this.

• This is process should always be performed when replacing only the rotors on the vehicle.

• You know the pads are properly shaved when the entire pad surface has a rough appearance.