Auto Repairs – Changing Brake Pads
If you need to change the brake pads on your car, it’s important that you know the procedure for doing so. We’ve put together this guide to take you through the basics of how to change brake pads. Obviously, you need to know when the brake pads need changing. If your brake rotor has scores in it or is otherwise damaged, this is a sign that they need changing. The brakes screeching whenever you use them is another sign you need to change the pads.
Once you’ve determined the brake pads need changing, you need to get the car ready for it. Secure it in place using bricks behind the wheels. Then, as if you were changing a tire, loosen the lug nuts and jack up the car. As a tire jack won’t be strong enough, use a jack stand to hold it up before you fully remove the tires. This exposes the brake section and therefore allows you to access the old brake pads and remove them.
Next you need to check you have the right equipment. If not, you can get it from the auto parts store. You’ll need the brake pads themselves, a C clamp and a wrench along with safety equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask. When you’ve got it all assembled, you need to now remove the brake caliper. This will then dangle, so secure it with bungee cord so it doesn’t cause problems later. Also ensure that the brake cord is slack.
Now, make sure the brake rotor is okay or else you’ll have to replace that too. Then remove the brake pads. These will still be attached to the caliper with pins or bolts, so remove the hardware. Then remove the brake fluid cap to avoid a build-up of pressure. You’ll see a cylindrical piston, which will have molded to your damaged brake pads so you need to move this back to its original position using a C clamp to retract it so you can fit the new pads.
Once you’ve got the brake pads on, they should be in the same place as the old ones were. You can tap them gently with a hammer if you are having trouble. Then put the cap back on the fluid reservoir before any water can get in and secure the new brake pads using the bolts or pins. Then reattach the caliper and check the brake pedal to make sure it’s all working. Then replace everything you removed, lower the car and take it for a test drive.
Next : Brakes