Introduction: How to Change Car Brakes

The brakes of a car are its most important feature and, therefore, one should give special care and attention to its maintenance. Closely monitoring the braking system is essential to ensure safety on the road. Luckily, the process of replacing brakes on your vehicle is both easy and cost-effective and you can achieve expertise with a small amount of practice.

The first sign that indicates that your brakes need a replacement is the high-pitched screeching sound produced when you stop your car. It may also take you longer to stop, or your brakes may become noisier than before. By paying slight attention to these small problems, you can avoid larger cost burdens and risks for the future.

Replacing your car brakes involves a series of simple steps, listed as follows:

i. Allow all the components of the braking mechanism - the rotor, calipers and the pads to cool down completely.

ii. Clean all the moving parts with cleaner and remove the braking fluid from the master cylinder using a siphoning device.

iii. Loosen the lug nuts and then, with the help of a lifting jack, raise your vehicle and place a jack stand underneath to keep it locked in place. Now remove the lug nuts completely from the wheel to access the braking assembly.

iv. Loosen the bolts and take out the brake calipers. Use cleaning lube to clean it or if it looks damaged, replace it with a new set.

v. The next step is to remove the brake pads attached to the rotor. Use a C-clamp between the pad and the rotor exterior assembly and tighten it to retract the piston and remove the braking pad. If the pad looks thinner and worn out, replace it with a newer one.  If it is in a good condition, clean it with cleaning liquid and apply lube. Retaining clips are used to latch the pads into place. Dispose of the older clips and replace with newer ones

vi. Disconnect brake sensing cable and caliper mounts, if any. Check for any faults.

vii. Now the rotors of the brakes will be exposed. Examine them carefully for any kinks or scratches and replace if required.

viii. Place the new components in their specified places and apply graphite-based grease on the ends of the brake pads so they can slide easily over one another. However, make sure that the grease does not touch the rotor or accumulate on the pads’ surface as this may prove to be harmful. Securely latch all the nuts, bolts and pins and check them carefully for any wear and tear. Replace if required.

ix. Inject new braking fluid and then replace the tiers. Tighten the lug nuts and repeat the process on the other side of the car.

When you are done, take your vehicle for a slow speed test drive in order to ensure that you have completed all the steps correctly. Now you can savor the ride and enjoy a bump free and smooth cruise down the road, safe in the knowledge that your brake kits components are working safely and efficiently!