How to Replace Old Disk Brake Pads

The brake pads on your vehicle wear down with use, and eventually need to be replaced. Allowing the pads to wear down completely can lead to severe damage to other parts on the car (along with reducing the car's braking ability). Brake pads are used on disc brakes, which are common on the front wheels of most modern cars. The pads are seated within the brake caliper and apply pressure to the rotors when you step on the brake pedal.

Instructions

1

Raise the front end of the vehicle with the jack and secure the vehicle with jack stands.

2

Remove the wheels on each side by first loosening and removing the lug nuts.

3

Disconnect the brake caliper from the rotor according to the service manual for your vehicle. that will reveal the pads seated within the mounting bracket. On most models, you only need to remove the caliper's lower bolt and pivot it upward. If you remove the caliper completely, hang it from the undercarriage with a strong wire -- don't disconnect or hang it from the brake hose.

4

Pull the worn brake pads out of the caliper mounting bracket and safely discard them. Remove the shims and retaining clips from the bracket, clean them, apply an anti-seizing compound to backing tabs and bracket slots and re-install them.

5

Insert the new brake pads onto the bracket within the shims and retainers.

6

Compress the caliper's piston into its bore with the aid of a C-clamp. Place the caliper back in position on the mounting bracket and tighten the bolt(s).

7

Repeat for the brake pads on the other side of the car. If the rear wheels also have disc brakes, lift the rear end of the car after lowering the front end and repeat the process for the rear brakes.

8

Re-attach the wheels and tighten the lug nuts. Remove the jack stands and lower the car to the ground.

9

Seat the brakes onto the rotors by pressing the brake pedal multiple times until it has firm resistance.