How Long Paint After Car Repairs

How to Repair Your Car Brakes

Last Updated March 25, 2020

Brakes are the most essential safety characteristic of whatever vehicle, so only fix them yourself if you have the right tools and enough confidence to do the job well. You can learn how to change the brake pads and rotors yourself in no time at all. Equally with nearly of the really important parts of the car, the pattern of the brakes hasn't changed much in years, which is good because once yous acquire how to supercede the brakes you lot tin can apply that knowledge to all cars old and new.

How Brakes Work

The brakes operate using a simple hydraulic arrangement that transfers the pressure you apply to the pedal onto the brake pads and rotors. When you push button downwardly on the brake pedal, a lever pushes a piston into the master cylinder that's filled with hydraulic fluid. This fluid is then squirted forth pipes which feed another cylinder positioned side by side to the brakes to consummate an hydraulic organization that multiplies the force you lot put into the pedal.

With some cars y'all'll know the instant the brakes need changing because you'll demand to utilize them earlier than normal to stop for the corner but with other cars that's not so obvious, particularly if y'all're used to driving a truck with different loads in the dorsum and on dissimilar route surfaces which mean you adapt your driving style to match the condition of the road and the weight of the vehicle. When the brake pads wear downwards, you lot'll first to hear a squeaking noise whenever yous try and slow the vehicle. Thankfully some newer cars accept brake pad sensors that alarm the driver when the pads need replacing.

Training

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 land just you tin expect to save part of those costs if you exercise the work yourself. To begin the chore you lot'll need to buy new restriction pads and rotors. When yous get home, put the automobile in brake and so begin the job by loosening the lug basics. Now raise the jack so rest the automobile on jack stands.

Replacing the Brakes

At present remove the bolts from the caliper and slide information technology out. Now remove the bolts on the rear of the hub that keeps the caliper carrier in identify. You might demand to whack the rotor with a hammer to go it off. Do whatever it takes considering you don't need the old rotor anyway. Now use a wire brush to remove rust from the hub before installing the new rotor. Then you replace the caliper carrier bolts and you'll exist ready to compress the caliper piston. Exercise this until the piston is flush with the housing of the caliper. To consummate the task, install pads in the carrier and employ some grease on the outside of the pad for smooth operating.

To End

Put the cycle back on and tighten the lug nuts to complete the job. Although yous've got new pads and rotors on the vehicle, you'll hear some squeaking to begin with. That'due south normal when yous've changed the brakes. To become rid of that, drive on a highway at around 60 MPH and and then gradually decrease speed to 40 using the brakes. Do the same from 50 to 30 MPH a few times and so just drive around and employ the brakes every bit normal. Y'all'll before long observe the noise go away.