Change Car Brakes

You rely on your brakes for safety as you drive, so it pays off to make sure they're installed correctly. If you're looking to replace your own brakes, you'll need some mechanical know-how, and the following guidelines can help.

Steps

  1. Buy brake pads and rotors!
  2. Loosen the lugs nuts. Don't remove them. Then take them off with regular ratchet. When the wheel is off, release the parking brake.
  3. Raise up your car. For raising up your car, you will need hydraulic jack. Then place jack stands under the car so you will be able to get you wheel back on your car. Remove and clean your wheels with a steam cleaner.
  4. Loosen your caliper. On the caliper you should see 2 bolts. Remove them. Then you can slide out your caliper. If it doesn't slide out easily, you can use pry bar.
  5. Remove the caliper carrier. Remove the 2 17mm or 19mm bolts on the rear of the hub that keep the caliper carrier on. These are on tight, so use a breaker bar with a mallet or an impact gun if you can.
  6. Remove the rotor. Whack your rotor for few times and it should come out. If your rotor has locating screw, remove them.
  7. Install your new rotor. Before doing that, use a wire brush to take off the rust to prevent corrosion. You can also use WD40. When installing the rotor, to have it sit flush, use a lug nut and an open-ended wrench to secure it while tightening down the rest of the components. Also use brake cleaner or degreaser. You will wipe off the oily packing residue.
  8. Assemble the carrier. Replace the carrier bolts and tighten them down using an impact gun or breaker bar.
  9. Compress the caliper with using a C-clamp and one old pad. Compress the piston until piston is flush with the house of the caliper. Make sure to have the cap off (or you can blow a line).
  10. Install your brake pads and caliper. Install pads in the carrier. Use anti-squeal grease on the outside of the pad too. Install the caliper bolts. Ensure that caliper moves without binding. Tighten the bolts and check.
  11. Put on wheels.
  12. Do that on all 4 wheels.
  13. Pump your brakes.
  14. Break in your pads and braking system. During first few miles, the breakers could make some noises.  To break in the new components, on a highway, accelerate to 60 MPH, and gradually slow to 40, and repeat a few times. Then go from 50-30 MPH a few times. Then you'll be okay. You can again drive normally!

Warnings

  • Do not tackle the project if you're not experienced with car maintenance; ask a friend or take your car to the mechanic.

Things You'll Need

  • 3/8" ratchet
  • 1/2" ratchet
  • 1/2" breaker bar
  • 3/8" assorted extensions
  • 3/8" sockets
  • 1/2" sockets
  • Open-ended wrenches
  • Torx, hex sockets
  • C-clamp
  • Hydraulic jack
  • Jack stands
  • Pry bar
  • Wire brush
  • Gloves
  • WD40

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