Diy Automotive Repair how to Repair Disc Brakes
It is a common for cars to have brake problems.Discs and brake padsare considered by motor mechanics to be consumable items. This is because during a car’s life these items will need to be replaced several times.
Replacing disc brakes is in the realm of most D.I.Y mechanics. When your disc brakes wear out, two things can happen. One, is the disc will become scored and two the pads have worn out. Often if the brake pads have been worn right down to the metal backing the brake discs can become scored and this component will need to be replaced at the same time as the brake pads.
First the wheel nuts will need to be loosened and the wheel will need to be safely jacked up clear of the ground and removed. Once the road wheel has been removed you’ll see the disc and and calliper. The next step is to remove the calliper. This is often a fairly simple process and all that is required is the removal of two clips. One may have to ease the calliper away from the disc. When it is removed you’ll need to carefully place it aside as it will still be attached to a flexible brake hose. The disc pads will either fall out or will still be resting on the disc. They can simply be picked up and placed out of the way.
If the brake disc needs replacing, you’ll need to remove four or five bolts before the disc can be removed from the wheel hub. The fitting of a new disc is the reverse procedure. You’ll need to check with the manufacturer of the car for torque settings.
Sometimes it is difficult to put new brake pads in the calliper because the hydraulic brake piston is extended inside the calliper. One might try using a G clamp to gently push the piston back so new pads can be placed in the calliper and fitted to the brake disc.
Then it is a relatively simple matter of putting back the clips. Sometimes the clips also hold on an ‘anti screech shim.’ This is a tiny piece of metal that lives under the clips. These should always be replaced with the clips. Once all components are back together the road wheel can be replaced and the car lowered before tightening the wheel nuts. Just as a precaution one could rotate by hand the road wheel before lowering the vehicle just to ensure all is well. If there are any scrapping sounds remove the wheel and check the work done.
