The brakes in your car are extremely important. As with other components in your vehicle, the brake pads wear down over time. When looking at brake replacement cost at the dealership or auto shop, you may be hesitant to have them replaced when they should. However, if you put off replacing the pads, this can cause damage to other brake components, such as the rotors and calipers.
In general, the front brake pads wear down more quickly than the rear ones, so they need to be replaced more often. The good news is that changing the pads yourself is not that difficult, and anyone who has some knowledge around cars should be able to do it.
How to Find Proper Replacement Brake Pads
The first step you need to do is purchase new brake pads, and these are easy to find at auto part stores around the country. The key is to choose the right ones for your vehicle, the weather conditions, and your driving style. The best thing is to refer to the manufacturer’s recommendation for replacement pads and their materials, with the most common ones being organic, semi-metallic, and ceramic.
Another factor when it comes to purchasing brake pads, or any other vehicle part, is budget. To get the best price, search for AutoZone coupons, which will help save you money on high-quality products.
Tools Needed for Brake Maintenance
When replacing a brake pad, there are certain tools that you will need to make the job easier. When working on any vehicle part, safety is imperative, so the first equipment needed are protective goggles and gloves. Other tools include:
- Lug wrench
- Open end, socket, or adjustable wrench
- Jack and jack stand
- C-clamp used to withdraw the piston
- Bungee cord or plastic tie
- Baster to withdraw brake fluid
Along with buying new pads, you will also need to purchase a can of brake fluid to replace what you take out.
Steps for Changing the Brake Pads
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for specific details, but in general, the steps necessary to replace brake pads are:
- Monitor brake fluid and remove some if it is full
- Raise the car and remove the tire
- Take off the bolts and caliper
- Slide off the old pads
- Replace the brake hardware with new ones
- Install the new brake pads
- Inspect the piston and caliper for brake fluid leakage
- Reposition the caliper
- Place the bolts back on
- Repeat on the other side
- Refill brake fluid
- Take for a test drive
Signs That the Brake Pads Need Replacement
Along with learning how to replace the brake pads, you are probably wondering when you should replace them. In general, brake pads should be replaced every 30,000 to 40,000 miles. However, certain signs indicate they may need to be replaced sooner. These include thinning of the pads or a grinding or squeaking noise when you press down on the brake pedal.
If you need help choosing the right brake pads, or you have questions about how to replace them on your own, contact an auto repair specialist.
