How to Replace Brake Pads & Rotors

Brakes are one of the most important components on your vehicle and their proper operation is critical to your safety. Changing brake rotors and pads is a somewhat regular activity in the life of your vehicle. Front brakes do about 60 to 75 percent of a vehicle's braking, so inspect pads and rotors at least annually.

Instructions

1

Jack up the the vehicle and secure it on jack stands. Ensure that the wheels you are not working on are blocked with wheel chocks or blocks of wood to prevent the vehicle from rolling. Remove the lug nuts and the tire and set them aside.

2

Remove the caliper. Usually there are two bolts holding the caliper in place. Often these require an Allen wrench to remove. Carefully lift the caliper off of the rotor. Remove the old brake pads and compare them to the new ones, ensuring that you have purchased the correct pads.

3

Remove the bearing cap and the cotter pin. Then, using a large socket, remove the axle nut. Slide the hub off the axle, using care to catch the outside bearing. Single-piece rotors are a single unit; hub and rotor and must be replaced as such. Repack bearings or use new ones and replace the hub seal when replacing this type of rotor. Two-piece rotors bolt to the hub and the rotor can simply be unbolted and changed. Remove the four bolts holding the rotor to the hub. Discard the old rotor and bolt the new one to the hub. You should repack bearings and replace the wheel seal on this type of rotor as well before reinstalling it.

4

Replace the hub on the axle once the rotor has been changed, and using a torque wrench, tighten the axle nut to manufacturer's specifications. Replace the cotter pin and the bearing cap.

5

Use a C-clamp or a press and slide the caliper pistons all the way back into the caliper to make room for the new brake pads. Place the new brake pads in the caliper, ensuring that all the brake hardware is replaced the same way it was removed. If desired, place an anti-squeal grease on the back of the brake pads before placing them in the caliper. Place the caliper back over the brake disc, and apply grease to the caliper pin (smooth and shiny) part of the brake bolts before replacing them. Using the torque wrench, torque the caliper bolts to the manufacturer's specifications.