Whether you are trying to save money or are trying to car repair in the case of necessity, it is good to know how to replace your automobile's brake pads on your own. Most people are not aware of how important it is to regularly check the status of this area of their vehicle and see if any parts need maintenance or replacing. Here are some instructions for how to replace the pads for your automobile.
Before getting started with this sort of car repair, secure all materials and tools that will be needed for the job. You will need a c-clamp, a hammer, a small bungee cord, an adjustable wrench, a lug wrench, and allen wrenches. Once you have all of these things, loosen the lugs on the wheel while it is still on the ground. After doing so, it is much easier to remove the lug bolts and the wheel upon jacking the vehicle off of the ground.
It is very important to use jack stands to secure your automobile after you have jacked it up during this car repair. A car jack is in no way a completely secure device and working underneath a automobile can be very dangerous without the proper support to hold it up.
Now that the bolts have been loosened and the car has been lifted, the wheel should be easy to remove. So, slide it off and underneath you will find the break disc. It will be round, shiny, and surrounding the lugs. Be sure to inspect this part and see if there is any wear and tear to be found.
The brake caliper will be found just above where the lugs and disc are. This needs to be removed so the pads can be taken off. Behind this part are the bolts holding it in place. These will either require the allen or adjustable wrenches to remove. After the bolts are removed, it should be able to slide up and be removed. It will need to be secured with the bungee cord, as it will be attached to the brake line. This will most likely be a black, rubber hose and it is very important not to strain it with the caliper's weight, as this can cause serious damage to the line.
Before removing the pads, take a moment to observe how everything is put together, so as to know how to put it back when you are done. The old pads should slide right out, but depending on the age of the vehicle, may require the assistance of hammer. Now install the new pads.
Within the caliper, you will find the brake piston. This adjusts to the level of wear of the pads. As the newly installed pads have no wear at all, this will have to be secured with the c-clamp. Install the side of the clamp with the screw on it to the piston and push it in, so it will fit easily around the new pads and slide the caliper back in place over the disc. Now, reattach the bolts and the caliper. Tighten the lugs around the wheel and then double check to make sure they can't be tightened some more.
It is wise to regularly check your vehicle for signs of wear and necessary replacement, but make sure to call on the help of a car repair business if you are unsure or unable to do the job yourself. Seeking the help of professional mechanics is the safest and easiest way to maintain your automobile.