In order to service your brakes, it's important to maintain the health of the brake pads. The brake pads are bound to a caliper, which attaches them to the brake itself. When the "meat" in your brake pads becomes worn down, you must bind a set of new pads to your brake so that your vehicle can stop when necessary. This is a repair that can save your life, as cars that travel at high speeds need to be able to quickly stop or slow down.
Instructions
- 1
Position your floor jack under the car so that it can be lifted. Jack the car up so that the tire is in the air and off the ground. Stabilize your car by setting jack stands around the ends of the vehicle. Place wheel blocks around the opposite wheels. This way you can operate on the brakes safely.
2Remove the tire from the vehicle to expose the brake. Loosen each lug nut binding the wheel to the vehicle with the lug wrench. Pull away the lug nuts, and then remove the tire.
3Remove the bolts that attach the brake caliper to the brake with a socket wrench. Slide away the brake caliper so that you can bind a new set of brake pads.
4Flip the caliper over on its back and notice that your brake pads are bound by a couple of bolts or clips. Remove the bolts with a wrench or remove the clips, and then remove the brake pads.
5Press the new pads into the caliper so that they can be installed. To bind them to the caliper, simply re-tighten the bolts or clips that were previously removed. With new pads bound in place, press the caliper back onto the brake and tighten the bolts, installing it onto the brake.
6Replace the tire by slipping it into place and tightening its lug nuts. Clean your work area by removing your jack stands, and lowering the floor jack. Remove the wheel blocks.
