Install Brake Rotors

After reading this "how to" article you will be sufficiently prepared to change the brake rotors on virtually any vehicle. All vehicles with disk brakes work on the same principle and use the same basic parts. Always do your research before starting a project!

Steps

  1. Park the vehicle on a level surface. Remove the keys from the vehicle and make sure the gear selector is in PARK and set the parking brake (this locks the rear wheels which means you must work on the front wheels first), for a manual transmission the vehicle should be in 1st gear with the parking brake set.
  2. Start with the front wheels by placing wheel hocks (they prevent the car from rolling backwards) behind the rear wheels. Place a jack under the front of the vehicle on what ever side you choose to work on first. The jack should be placed either at the designated jack point or under the frame. If you choose to work on the driver's side wheel first place the jack behind that wheel.
  3. Apply pressure to the jack till it makes contact with the vehicle. Be sure the jack is placed in a spot that it won't slip from, or damage the vehicle.
  4. Establish the jack has made contact with the vehicle then loosen the bolts that hold the wheel on. DO NOT REMOVE THEM, just loosen them.
  5. Continue jacking up the vehicle till the wheel is approximately {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} off the ground. Remove the bolts that hold on the wheel (lug nuts) and remove the wheel.
  6. Observe that what is in front of you now is the brake rotor, brake caliper and bracket. The goal now is to remove the caliper. The caliper is held on by two bolts. The size of the bolts vary, in the reference vehicle the bolts are 6mm hex head bolts. Unscrew these bolts. The caliper can now be removed. Depending on the age of the vehicle you are working on it could take a fair bit of muscle to get the caliper off, try wiggling it back and forth. There is pressure on the rotor from the pads which is what will cause the caliper to be tough to remove.
  7. Remove the caliper bracket once the caliper is removed. Generally this will be held on by two bolts. Remove these bolts and the bracket can be removed.
  8. Remove the rotor! If your rotor is kept in place by a screw or clip, this must be removed first, then the rotor will come off. If it has been a while since the rotors have been replaced the old rotors may need some persuasion to come off. Hitting the rotor with a rubber hammer should do the trick.
  9. Begin installation - this is the exact reversal of the procedure. To make the installation of the caliper a little easier try using a C clamp to push back the piston in the caliper, this relieves the pressure and makes the fit over the rotor much easier.



Tips

  • Remember to unset the parking brake when doing the rear wheels and NEVER go under a vehicle unless properly supported.
  • Keep in mind that it's virtually impossible to have too many tools.
  • Always spray the newly installed brake rotor down with brake rotor cleaner before installing the tire. This will remove any grease or oil on the rotor

Warnings

  • When working on any vehicle there is always the chance of the vehicle moving unexpectedly, the jack supporting your vehicle could lose pressure or fail completely. Always use multiple safety precautions when working on a vehicle.

Things You'll Need

  • Vehicle jack
  • Wheel chocks
  • Socket and wrench set (either SAE or metric depending on your vehicle make)
  • Can of brake cleaner
  • Hex key set or screwdriver set (for the set screw on the rotor)
  • Rubber hammer

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