Every once in a while, you have to invest in basic, mandatory auto maintenance projects to keep your car looking and running like new. Before giving the green light to an extreme makeover, focus on the safety systems that guarantee a smooth ride and prevent traffic accidents.
Fully functional brakes help you stop or slow down your automobile, but defective brakes represent a major life-threatening problem, which should be addressed as soon as possible. Keep reading to find out how to replace car brake pads on your own or with help from a good mechanic.
Replacing Car Brake Pads on Your Own
In time, brake pads wear off and lose their ability to slow down or to stop a vehicle. Noisy brakes are an important sign, telling you that you should replace your car brake pads immediately. The process is relatively simple and time-efficient.
1. Start by lifting up your automobile and securing it properly by using jack stands.
2. Unscrew the car’s lug nuts and then remove its wheel and tire. After completing this phase, you’ll be able to take a closer look at the brake pads, brake caliper, and brake rotor.
3. Start by removing the caliper; then carefully inspect the brake rotor. If you notice wide grooves on a large surface, don’t hesitate to resurface or replace the part.
4. Brake pads are usually secured with bolts or pins. Carefully remove the elements holding them in place, slide out your car’s brake pads and analyze them: do they display obvious signs of wear and tear? Old, used pads should be much thinner than brand-new ones.
5. Remember to retract your car’s caliper piston. Afterwards, just place the new brake pads in the empty slots where the old pads used to be, and secure them with bolts and pins.
6. Last, but not least, don’t forget to test the effectiveness of your new brakes.
Ask for help
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