How to Change Brake Pads

Learn how to change your own brake pads to save money on a professional mechanic. Nothing is more important than your car's ability to efficiently slow and stop itself. Changing brake pads is pretty easy, but working in and around the car’s breaking system can and will be unnerving.  Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1 – Is It Time To Change Brake Pads?

Check your brake pad wear and tear first. Look at the brake pads from outside the front tire.  On many cars, if you look through the openings on the outer part of the wheel assembly, you can and will see the brake pads in plain sight.  Look at the depth of the pad. If it is less than ¼ inch, you should change the brake pads soon. If the brake pad depth is less than 1/8^th of an inch, you are getting very close to damaging the rotor, so make sure you get ready to change your brake pads soon.

Second, when driving, if you apply the brakes and hear a whining or screeching sound you are due to change your brake pads. At this point, you can go to an automotive parts store and purchase brake pads. Make sure you buy brake pads that come with an anti-squeal device.

Step 2 – Safety Check

Block the rear wheels. This will prevent rolling when you raise the car with a jack. Put the car in Park and set the parking brake. It is important to change brake pads one side at a time. Concentrate on one side first, and then rotate to the opposite side.

Step 3 – Lift Car Up

Pick up a tire iron and loosen the lug nuts on the wheels. Loosen them just enough so that they are free and easy to turn with the tire iron. Slip the jack under the car (remember to use your jack stands for safety) and raise the front axle off the ground. Put your jack stands under each axel and lower the car onto the stands. 

Step 4 – Removing the Parts

Remove the lug nuts and the wheel (or wheels, if you are changing more than one set of brake pads). Remove the bolts that hold the caliper in place. Slide the caliper away from the rotor. You will see the brake pads. Move the piston back to its “full open” position. Doing this will bring the braking system back to the original position to accommodate the new brake pads.

Step 5 – Installation of Brake Pads

If necessary, install a new rotor. Remove brake pads from the caliper. Lubricate the brake pads on the back of the pads (the side that does not come in contact with the rotor). This is a very important step because it will prevent unnecessary screeching and noises when you apply your brakes. Now, put the new brake pads on. Now reassemble the braking system in reverse order from the way you disassembled (took apart) the braking system in the beginning.