How to Change Rear Disk Brake Pads
Replacing worn brake pads is the primary part of brake maintenance. Your brake pads should be inspected regularly and replaced whenever they wear to the point that little of the brake material is remaining. Your car's service manual will likely indicate at what point you should perform this repair.
Whenever you do brake service you should do the work in pairs, if not on all four wheels. Do not work on one side only as this will give you unequal braking that will affect your vehicles handling.
To begin the replacement of the rear brake pads you will need to lift the rear of the vehicle. Support the vehicle on adequate jack stands and never work under a vehicle supported by a jack alone. With the vehicle lifted remove the wheels and set to the side.
Next you will need to remove the brake caliper. There will be two bolts on the inside of the caliper which hold the caliper to the backing plate, often using allen heads rather than hex heads. Using the appropriate tool remove these bolts.
With the bolts removed you can remove the caliper from the rotor. If it doesn't come off by simply wiggling it you may need to tap the caliper with a hammer to break it free.
The caliper should be supported with a piece of wire to a reasonable location on the vehicle to prevent it from hanging from, and damaging, the brake line. The old pads can easily be removed at this point.
In most cases when you replace the pads you will want to replace the rotors or have them machined. If there are any noticeable grooves on the surface of the rotor this work will need to be done.
Before installing the new brake pads you will need to compress the piston. Using a C-clamp or special tool compress the piston as far as it will go. Some calipers require special techniques for compressing the piston, if it is particularly difficult to compress, don't use excessive force. Check your service manual to make sure the poper rocedure is followed.
With the piston compressed as far as it will go you next will put the new pads on. Using a light coating anti-noise grease on the backing plate of the brake pad put the pads in place on the caliper and put the caliper back onto the rotor. If you have a little difficulty you may need to use your hammer to tap it into place. Replace the bolts holding the brake caliper in place.
When the brakes on both sides are done and the wheels are replaced you can lower the vehicle and test drive your repair.
