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How to Repair Your Auto Brakes

Final Updated March 25, 2022

Brakes are the most essential safety feature of any vehicle, so merely fix them yourself if you have the correct tools and plenty confidence to do the job well. You can larn how to change the brake pads and rotors yourself in no time at all. As with almost of the actually important parts of the car, the blueprint of the brakes hasn't changed much in years, which is adept because one time you learn how to replace the brakes you can employ that knowledge to all cars old and new.

How Brakes Work

The brakes operate using a elementary hydraulic system that transfers the pressure level you employ to the pedal onto the restriction pads and rotors. When you push down on the brake pedal, a lever pushes a piston into the master cylinder that'southward filled with hydraulic fluid. This fluid is then squirted along pipes which feed another cylinder positioned next to the brakes to complete an hydraulic organization that multiplies the forcefulness yous put into the pedal.

Knowing When to Replace the Brakes

With some cars y'all'll know the instant the brakes need irresolute because y'all'll need to apply them earlier than normal to stop for the corner but with other cars that'south not so obvious, particularly if you're used to driving a truck with different loads in the dorsum and on unlike route surfaces which mean you adapt your driving style to lucifer the status of the route and the weight of the vehicle. When the brake pads wear down, yous'll outset to hear a squeaking noise whenever yous endeavor and slow the vehicle. Thankfully some newer cars take brake pad sensors that alert the commuter when the pads need replacing.

Preparation

Co-ordinate to home services websites, the average cost of changing pads and rotors on a typical auto is $324. That varies from state to state merely y'all tin expect to save part of those costs if you do the work yourself. To begin the job you lot'll need to buy new brake pads and rotors. When yous get habitation, put the car in brake and then begin the job by loosening the lug nuts. Now raise the jack and so rest the car on jack stands.

Replacing the Brakes

Now remove the bolts from the caliper and slide it out. Now remove the bolts on the rear of the hub that keeps the caliper carrier in place. You might need to whack the rotor with a hammer to get it off. Do whatever information technology takes because y'all don't need the sometime rotor anyhow. Now use a wire brush to remove rust from the hub before installing the new rotor. And then you replace the caliper carrier bolts and you'll be set up to compress the caliper piston. Do this until the piston is flush with the housing of the caliper. To complete the chore, install pads in the carrier and apply some grease on the outside of the pad for shine operating.

To Finish

Put the wheel back on and tighten the lug nuts to complete the chore. Although you've got new pads and rotors on the vehicle, you'll hear some squeaking to begin with. That's normal when you've changed the brakes. To get rid of that, drive on a highway at effectually 60 MPH then gradually subtract speed to forty using the brakes. Do the aforementioned from 50 to thirty MPH a few times and so merely drive around and use the brakes as normal. Yous'll shortly find the noise get abroad.