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If you want to learn how to change brake pads on your car, then you’ve come to the right place. There’s a lot of information out there about changing brake pads, but not all of it is easy to remember. There are a few basic steps you should follow. To start, remove the rotors, shims, and caliper bolts. Make sure to check the brake fluid level.
Remove rotors
Before changing brake pads, remove your car’s rotors. To do this, you must lift your car to a level position. Make sure to read your owner’s manual to find the correct jacking points. After you remove the wheels, remove the rotors and clean them with a wire brush to remove any debris or rust. You will need to lubricate the bolts and nuts on the rotor to ensure they are secure and function properly.
When changing brake pads, it is important to inspect the condition of the rotors. If they are unevenly worn, it will reduce braking power. If you notice rust or damage on the surface of the rotor, you may need to replace the rotors. To do this properly, you should test the brakes in a safe location. Make sure that the brakes do not pulsate or make a loud noise.
Before you begin the replacement process, remove the brake caliper and rotor mounting bracket bolts. To remove these bolts, use a ratchet or wrench to loosen the nuts. Then, hang the rotor from the strut using a bunget cord or other type of hanger. Care should be taken not to damage the brake line. The caliper is a critical part of the brake system.
In addition to wearing out your brake pads unevenly, they can cause your rotors to rust. Excessive rust can even warp your disc. If this happens, you may experience vibrations when braking. If you find yourself in this situation, you may need to have the rotor resurfaced to match the new friction material in your brake pads. This is especially true for organic and ceramic brake pads.
Remove shims
If you’re replacing your car’s brake pads, you might want to consider removing the shims to make it easier to fit the new ones. Shims are tiny pieces of metal that slide into the brake caliper. Changing these shims can make your brakes quieter, so you’ll need to use a light-weight wrench to remove them. Lastly, you’ll need a jack, a pair of jackstands, four lug wrenches, a metric wrench, a 4mm hex key, brake fluid, and anti-squeak compound or grease.
Shims work by creating a barrier between the brake pad and the caliper. They prevent vibration and brake noise from transferring from the pads to the rest of the car. The ideal shim prevents vibrations from spreading to the driver and the rest of the vehicle. To make sure that a shim works, follow these simple steps:
While the disassembly process for both front and rear brake pads is the same, the shims for aftermarket pads are often different. The ‘M’-shaped spring that came with your new pads will be compatible with most brands. While removing the shims for changing brake pads, it’s important to keep in mind that the upper guide can fall off the frame. If it does, hold it in place while you insert the rear pads.
After you’ve finished changing the brake pads, you can drive your car a short distance to ensure that they’re working properly. You may need to turn the rotor on a brake lathe. In some cases, you’ll need an auto care professional to change the rotor. If you are replacing the rotor, he or she can also teach you how to change your brake pads.
Remove caliper bolts
First, remove the caliper bracket by unscrewing the nuts on each stud. Most cars have hex-head caliper bolts, but older vehicles use star-shaped bolts. A L-shaped Allen wrench will not provide sufficient leverage for the job. To make it easier, crawl under your car and check if the caliper bolts are star-shaped. If you have trouble identifying the type of caliper bolt, you can purchase a complete set of appropriate sockets.
Then, locate the brake caliper on your car. The caliper is located in the 12 o’clock position on the brake disc. To remove it, unscrew the caliper bolts. These are either hex or Allen bolts. While these bolts are not very visible, remove them. The caliper should now slide off the brake disc. Be careful not to damage the rotor during this process because it can damage the brake rotor.
After unscrewing the caliper bolts, clean the drilled hole with a wire brush wheel. If the caliper bracket is rusty, you may have to remove the internal slides of the caliper before removing it. Replace the bolt with the new one. Once the caliper bracket is free, replace the caliper. The new caliper will cost between $25 and 50 USD.
Once you have removed the caliper bolts, you can pivot the rotor away from the wheel. Be sure to keep it firmly attached by holding it under the steering wheel. Turning the wheel will make it easier to reach the caliper. Afterwards, you can begin to change brake pads. After removing the caliper bolts, make sure to check the brake lines for kinks and tighten them if necessary.
Check brake fluid level
The first step in changing the brake pads is to check the brake fluid level in your car. To check the level, simply drive your vehicle around a block, step on the brakes several times, and then look at the level in the brake fluid reservoir. Ideally, the level should be within half an inch of the top. If it is below that, you will need to perform a few additional steps. The steps described here will help you determine if you should change the brake fluid.
To check the brake fluid level, first remove the cap on the brake fluid reservoir. Make sure the dipstick is clean and in between the “add” and “full” marks. A low level of fluid indicates a leak or significant contamination, which should be investigated immediately. Also, the brake fluid level will decrease as the brake pads wear down. If you notice a significant drop in brake fluid, you may need to perform a brake bleed or flush.
The boiling point of brake fluid is higher than that of water, but this doesn’t mean that it doesn’t evaporate. In fact, brake fluid can corrode engine compartments and paint. Use brake fluid with a high boiling point, such as Total HBF 4 for your car or truck. The boiling point of brake fluid is a critical indicator of the effectiveness of your brakes. When brake fluid evaporates, accidents are imminent.
If you’ve never filled your brake fluid reservoir before, make sure you have it on hand. It’s easy to refill brake fluid, but make sure the reservoir is closed tightly after topping it off. To avoid any spills, use a small funnel or rag to wipe the brake fluid off of painted surfaces. Always remember to wash your hands thoroughly after topping off your brake fluid reservoir. If you’re unsure about how much brake fluid is necessary, consult an ASE-certified technician.
Replace brake pads
The most economical way to repair your car’s brakes is to replace the brake pads. But new pads may not fit your car’s old rotors. This could cause noise, vibration, and uneven wear. So, it’s best to have your car’s brakes professionally replaced if you’re unsure of the procedure. Also, you can choose between different friction materials that offer different characteristics. It may be worth spending a little extra money on the original manufacturer’s brake pads.
Before you can perform the process, it’s essential to know your car’s model and make. Many car manufacturers recommend the use of the NAPA Know How App to identify your car’s make and model. You may also need to know the VIN number of your car in order to perform a brake pad change correctly. You can use this app to find the VIN number of your car and the appropriate method of changing the brake pads.
To remove the old brake pads, you’ll need to jack up your car. Place jack stands in a safe location. Place tire chocks in front and behind the tires to prevent them from sliding out of place. Then, squeeze the brake pad caliper pistons backward using the caliper compression tool. Do not squeeze the brake pistons against each other as this can damage the piston. Once the pistons have been squeezed, you can remove the old brake pads from the calipers and replace them with new ones.
If you hear grinding noises while braking, it means that your brake pads are worn all the way down. The noise will cause intensive damage to the rotors, requiring you to purchase new brake pads. It’s also a good idea to check your brakes periodically. A few days or weeks later, you should have a brake check done. You can have the best brakes possible by replacing brake pads on a regular basis.
