Changng Brake Pads how to Change Front Brake Pads Simple Car Maintenence
The braking system in an automobile is vital to ensuring the safety of both the driver and passengers. There are two important braking systems found in most automobiles today, the front brake being a caliper system, and the rear brakes being either drum or caliper based systems. Since the front brakes account for up to seventy percent of the total stopping power of your vehicle, it is important that you change your brake pads when necessary.
How do I know when they need changing?
The first indication is actually a design functionality that acts as a warning that it might be time to change your brake pads. Built in metal tabs are placed just far away enough from the rotor surface so that as brake wear degrades the brake pad prior to needing to be changed it will let you know it might be time to have your brakes checked. Usually you will begin to hear an intermittent squeal when first accelerating or decelerating, but it can quickly become a long drawn out metal on metal sound. If you act quickly on this you may save yourself some money and avoid having to replace your rotors, but if you wait you might hear the next horrible noise. The growl or grinding noise that can precede sounds like something is seriously wrong and this is a clear indication that you are now using the rivets of the brake pad to apply the necessary friction to the rotors, which at this point is actually gouging the smooth surface that allows maximum surface connection when braking with healthy brake pads.
Why should you change your own brake pads?
Quite honestly if you're even slightly handy with a socket wrench and can understand basic logic you can easily change your own brake pads. Most auto repair centers or shops charge labor, which can take a simple fifty to hundred dollar job, and turn it into a two to four hundred dollar total. All you have to do is buy a brake pad set, and the necessary socket set and you are equipped to save a few hundred dollars.
The fraud factor:
OK, maybe not every shop is shady and most will probably give you what you want, but there are several of them out there that will unnecessarily tack on rotor replacement or additional ailments to increase the cost of the total repair. Some shops have also been known to take a considerable amount of time for a job that should take no less than an hour, especially with the tools and equipment they have available. I have in almost every case completed a job in under two-hours using only the factory-equipped jack and tire iron, one C-clamp, and a simple socket set.
So how do I change my brake pads?
Step one: Ensure your vehicle is safely secured in park or in gear for standard transmissions. Next engage the safety brake, and get something to block the rear wheels from moving forward while jacking up the front end.
Step two: Remove hubcap or other locking systems. Next using either a specified tool or the equipped tire iron, loosen all the bolts on the first front tire; either left or right. Once the bolts are sufficiently loose you can proceed to jack the front end. Refer to your owner manual if you are unsure where to place the jack, since most vehicles have a specific jacking point when using the included jack.
Step three: Complete the tire removal by completely removing all the bolts. Once the tire is removed you will be able to see the rotor and brake calipers. The rotor is round and has a very shinny surface that may appear to have grooves much like a record album.
Step four: On the opposite side of the brake caliper (this is what holds the brake pads and applies the pressure to the braking system) you will find two bolts that hold the caliper to the fixed calliper mount. Note: in most cases the caliper mounting bolts will not have to be completely removed, but loosened enough to free the caliper assembly.
Step five: After loosening the caliper mounting bolts the caliper may appear to still be attached to the caliper mount. Using a small hammer or a screwdriver you can tap the caliper or gently pry the assembly, which at this time should lift up.Note: some automakers have a hook on the brake pads that may hold the pads securely in place. It might take a bit more force to pop them out, but you will be able to tell this once you have the assembly apart.
Step six: Gently pull the caliper up, so not to kink the brake line. There should be enough brake line to allow you to rest it on the caliper mount, if not use an electrical tie to hold it in place so it is out of your way. The first brake pad is actually resting on the back with a metal prong holding it in place. The second pad has a male prong that is inserted directly into the brake caliper cylinder.
Step seven: Remove the brake pads using a screwdriver or whatever is necessary and you will now have a completely disassembled braking caliper. Next the cylinder must be compressed in order to allow sufficient room to allow the new brake pads to be properly fitted. You can purchase a specific tool for the job, but I have always found a simple C-clamp does the job just fine. Take the clamp and fit it so one end is holding onto the caliper mount, and the other is placed on the edge of the cylinder. Begin closing the clamp and the cylinder should begin to sink inward until it is completely flush with the inner part of the caliper mount.Step eight: Whew, your almost there! Next insert your new brake pads; and basically at this point you are reversing the process that you encountered with the removal.
Be sure to double-check all bolts to ensure that they are securely tightened. After completing a complete inspection and your tire has been replaced it is best to hand tighten the lug-nuts before lowering the vehicle. Once the vehicle is grounded start tightening the opposite nuts to ensure the bolts are tightened equally.
Lastly before you drive off with your newly changed brakes, take a moment to pump your brakes several times, but don't be alarmed when at first it feels the brakes are failing. As the brake cylinder properly adjusts normal braking will resume although sensitivity will be increased due to the freshly installed pads. Pumping prior to driving may likely eliminate experiencing this condition, but either way use caution until normal braking control is established.
So, now you know how to change your brake pads. Sure it is easy to have a shop do the work, but if your on a tight budget it isn't the most difficult task to undertake and potentially it can save you a great deal of cash.
Good luck and if anything goes wrong contact a mechanic, and if you are at all uncomfortable with my instructions it is best to leave it up to a trained professional.
