The process of brake pad replacement is something all drivers of cars should know how to do or replace. There is a possibility that when you use your cars quite often, your brake pads will wear out very fast so it is your job to know that when this happens you should replace it yourself of take it to the nearest mechanic to do it for you if you can’t do it yourself. It needs to be replaced so that your car stops rightly after pressing the pedal. Taking your car to the mechanic to replace your can be quite expensive so naijacarmews.com will teach you step by step guide on how to perform the step by step brake pad replacement. We will now discuss the steps in brake pad replacement.

Tools and materials

• Stand to support the car
• Flashlight
• Clean rags
• Old newspaper
• Latex gloves
• Car jack
• Large “C” clamp
• Container of brake fluid
• New brake pads
• Sturdy piece of wire
• Set of tools

Get ready to start

You start by parking your car then you take a solid object that either a chunks on wood or a large stone and place it before and after one of the tires at the rear. You will follow the same steps if you want to replace the brake pads at the front. Doing this ensures that the vehicle does not move when you are trying to replace your brake pad. Please do not touch the brake pads after you have driven your car, ensure you allow them cool down before touching.

1. Jack the car up and loose the lugs

You have to loose the lugs of the car so they can spin without hindrance, and use the jack to lift up the wheel and also make sure the tire doesn’t come in contact with the ground. Then lower the car to the stand by using one of the contact points of the frame identified by the owner’s manual.

If you lift the vehicle with other places, it may damage that part. The car should be set in a stable manner when you have placed it car on the stand and there should be quite a considerable space between the tire and the ground.

replacing a brake pad

2. Remove the wheel

Spin the lugs off carefully and pull it from the car then put it aside after dismantling. The vehicle should be in gear if you notice the wheel is spinning when you are loosing the nuts.

3. Detach the caliper

You will notice the rotor when you when you remove the wheels because it’s right after the wheel. Then you locate the bolts of the caliper and loose them. Once you have detached the caliper, to ensure there is less pressure on the line, you will use the wire to hold it.

When you want to replace the pads on the rear wheels, ensure that the vehicles park brake is not active because if there is even a slight pressure on the brake you won’t b able to detach the caliper.

4. Remove and replace pads

Study the pads well to know how they have been placed before removing them. You can locate the pistons by searching for a cuplike stuff on the side of the caliper. Use the “C” clamp to infuse the piston into the caliper and follow the reader’s manual to replace the pad.

5. Reassemble components

Putting everything back into place is quite easy, all you have to do is just to fix into place and tighten the caliper bolts.

picture of a brake pad

Conclusion

This process is very good in brake pad replacement process brought to you by Naijacarnews.com. But ensure not to change the brake pad when it’s the rotor that’s giving you problems.

Meanwhile, you can check out for more tips and answers on our car maintenance section for more juicy tips.