How To Replace Brake Pads

Learn how to change your brake pads.  Changing your own brake pads can save money, by using your own labor.  You can purchase either factory or aftermarket pads, depending on your budget. 

In order to change your brake pads, you will need the following items:

• Pad kit (specific to your car)
• Wrench set, car jack, and a “C” Clamp
• Brake Cleaner spray
• Service Torque specifications (can be found in your car service manual)

1. Inspect the existing pads.  If the current pads are making noise when you are stopping, it is a good idea to check the pads.  If you look in the wheel, you can see the brake assembly.  The brake unit will start marking the brake rotor, when the pad is low.
2. Raise your car up.  Lift your car in order to get to the brake unit.  You can do this with the factory jack, or an aftermarket unit (usually faster with an aftermarket jack).  Keep your bolts in a safe place, so they don’t get lost.
3. Take apart your brakes. After you take off the vehicle wheel, you can start the actual brake replacement job.  Liberally spray the area with brake cleaner.  Find the 2 bolts on the back of the caliper, loosen both bolts.  Take the caliper unit off the wheel hub gently.  Keep the old bolts in a safe place, as you will need them later.
4. Remove the pads from caliper.  Slide away the rear pad away from the caliper.  Next, take out the front pad.  The pad is held onto the caliper with a couple flexible clips.  Bend the tabs away from the caliper before you remove the front pad.
5. Put in your new pads.  The pads will go back into the caliper, the same way you took them out.  Close the caliper back up using  the “C” clamp, applying even steady pressure.
6. Remount the caliper on wheel the hub.  After the pads are in place, you will need to remount the caliper.  Use the two bolts from the first part of the process.  If the caliper is a floating type, therefore it is normal to have a little play in the unit.
7. Remount  your wheel.  Put your wheel back on, and lower the vehicle off the jack.

Check the brake fluid level, and top off if necessary.  To test your brake pads, drive the vehicle around the block slowly.