Changing brake pads on a car may be easier than you think. According to the Galtech website, if you can change your own oil, you'll likely be able to change your own brake pads. Save yourself $150 or more (according to Cost Helper) by changing your own brake pads. The service is simple enough and takes a few hours.
Instructions
- 1
Use a car jack to lift one side of the car. To use the car jack, be sure that your car is on level ground and in park or (or first gear for a manual transmission). Place the jack on the frame of the car, insert the jack handle and then ratchet it until it is lifted high enough to work the tire off.
2Take the wheel off the car. Remove the hubcap and use a tire iron to remove each lug nut. Place the lug nuts in a safe place (a nearby bowl or bucket works wonderfully) and then remove the wheel by pulling with both hands.
3Remove the lower and upper bolts that are holding the brake disk and pads in and take out the brake housing. Use a wrench to loosen and remove bolts. Then lift the brake housing out.
4Remove the old brake pads. To do this, lift the caliper out of the way. They should come out with a little tug.
5Replace the old pads with the new pads.
6Push the caliper back into place to secure the new brake pads into place.
7Put back the brake housing as well as the upper and lower bolts. Be sure to secure each bolt so that they fit snugly but do not wrench them too tight.
8Put the wheel back on the car and then secure all the lug nuts back on. You will want to use your tire iron to secure one lug nut and then the one directly across from it so that you are securing the lug nuts in a star-shaped pattern.
9Lower the car using slow and steady pressure on the car jack.
10Repeat steps 1-9 on the other side of the car to replace those brake pads as well.
