How to Replace Brake Pads and Rotors

Replacing your car's disc brake components is a beginner-level repair for dyers. Here’s everything you need to know to replace brake pads and rotors in less than an hour.

 

What Are Pads and Rotors?

The phrase pads and rotorsare used to describe vehicles fitted with disc brakes and drums as well as shoes is used to describe drum brakes' components. The majority of modern cars are equipped with disc brakes that are four-wheel which means that there are rotors and pads on each wheel. The front brake pads typically wear out faster thanthe rear pads meaning they shouldn't need to be replaced in the same way. Modern vehicles may include front disc brakes, as well as drum brakes on the rear.

When you push on the brake, the fluid in the master cylinder exerts pressure on the brake calipers which then squeezes the brake pads on the brake rotors. This is the reason you stop your vehicle from. In time the material that is used for the brake pads changesas well as rotors, wears, and the year ahead is determined by various factors which are the amount of weight on the vehicle as well as the road conditions (flat or. steep) as well as the way you drive if you are using the vehicle to tow or other purposes, and so on. In the end, the more you use your brakes, the faster they'll begin to wear.

Regular preventive maintenance, like replacing a serpentine belt is a great way to keep your vehicle running out on the roads... up to one million miles! If you're purchasing an older car, performing an inspection of brake pads, rotors and brakes is an excellent way to determine the condition of the car. Maintained.

 

Is it safe to drive using worn Pads or Rotors?

The life span for brake pads can be measured using millimeters and when they reach around 3 millimeters in thickness, you need to begin thinking about replacing your brake pads. It is not only unsafe to drive using brake pads that are thin, however, but it could also result in irreparable harm to other components of the brake system like the rotors or the calipers.

 

How to Replace Brake Pads and Rotors

Step 1: Securely jack up the vehicle and then remove the tires and wheels.

As you would do for the rotation of a tire, begin by jacking up your car on an even surface. Then put the stand-up jacks in a safe position to hold the vehicle. No matter if you are replacing the back or front brakes be sure to do only just one wheel at a given time and make sure you use a tire chock ahead or behind any tires that are in the dirt.

 

Step 2: Remove the calipers.

Before you remove the pads from the calipers, you can use a caliper compressor (or the large pliers) to press the pistons of the caliper piston(s) in the opposite direction. Don't press against the piston of the caliper directly as you may damage the piston. After the piston is compressed, you are able to take off those brake pads.

If you're replacing brake rotors or are having a reason to not replace the calipers as soon as possible Make sure you don't hang the caliper from the brake hose. Instead, place the caliper on top of the brake wheel (as shown in the image below) you can use either a steel coat hanger or wire, for example, to secure the caliper from the nearby location, like the coil spring or frame.

 

Step 3: Dismantle and replace the rotors, if necessary

If there is no need to replace brake rotors you don't have to take them from the vehicle. If you must repair the brake rotors removal is usually simple. Certain automakers employ screws to secure the rotors to the hubs of the axle, however, the majority of rotors are secured by the wheel that is connected to the hub. If the rotors are not been removed they may have metal clips within the wheel studs replacement, which hold the rotors. Even if these clips are removed, it's often necessary to hit the back of the rotor using the hammer to break loose the corrosion that has held the rotor. If this happens, you should try to remove any rust that has accumulated from the hub of the axle prior to installing the rotor.

If you're unsure whether it's time to change the brake rotors you can take them off and measure them in an auto part shop. Any damage or grooves to the surface of the brake rotor is a clear indication that the rotors need to be replaced.

4. Clean and oil the brake pad slides

These brake pads as well as calipers were designed to move across their mounts. After you have removed the pads, you must clean the area of the slide with sandpaper in order to get an even surface. In the worst-case scenario, the area may suffer from wear and tear that could result in brake pads hanging up. In this scenario, the bracket that mounts the caliper could require replacement. No matter how old or new it is recommended to apply brake lubricant to the slides prior to installing the brake pads and calipers.

 

5. Reinstall the brake calipers

Attach the pads of your brake to the calipers, then put them back in the calipers. Apply a small amount of the brake oil used to lubricate the slides of the brake pads to the slide pins of the caliper.