Replacing brake pads has been described and shown on video countless times. For our part, we will not only answer the questions: how to assess the wear of brake pads, what is the minimum thickness of the friction linings, but we will also show you the intricacies of servicing the front and rear brake mechanisms when replacing the pads with your own hands.
Resource
It would be wrong to talk about an average service life for the reason that the wear rate depends on many parameters:
How to assess the degree of wear
- Remove the pads and measure the remaining thickness of the friction layer with a caliper. In the repair and maintenance manual you can find the minimum thickness of the front and rear brake pads. Please note that the thickness of the friction linings is not the distance from the metal base to the edges of the pads, but the distance from the edges to the technological reserve (about 3 mm). This means that if the friction linings are worn to half their original thickness, then this is not 50% wear, but 65-70%. In some types of design, the remaining life of the brake pads can be estimated by the distance to the contact plate.
- Wait for the wear sensor to respond. Depending on the design of the warning system, a signal for replacement will be a metallic squeak or the lighting of the wear indicator on the dashboard. First you need to check the serviceability of the electronic system. Many drivers, not wanting to restore the functionality of the sensors, install decoys. In this case, the error light on the wear sensors does not light up on the dashboard, and the system will not respond to critical wear. Pads that do not have a wear indicator should be replaced at the moment when the plane of the working surface is level with the bottom of the groove in the middle of the friction lining.
How to change front pads
Replacing the front brake pads is shown in the video and described using the example of Daewoo Matiz. Since the design and operating principle of disc brakes on modern passenger cars are extremely similar, the instructions and video will help you replace brake pads with your own hands not only on Daewoo, but also on VAZ, Opel, Ford, Renault, Kia, etc.
- Loosen the wheel bolts.
- Raise the front of the car from the replacement side, having previously installed wheel chocks on the diagonally opposite side. Use the jack only to raise and lower the car, and during repairs the body must be secured on supports.
- Remove the wheel.
- Using an enema or syringe, pump out some brake fluid from the reservoir. Since the new pads will be wider than the worn friction linings, you will have to push in the brake cylinders to install them. Pumping out will prevent brake fluid from pouring out of the reservoir due to changes in the volume of the brake line.
- Using a slotted screwdriver, press the piston in slightly. The tip must be inserted between the working surface of the inner brake pad and the piston. Since pressing force is required quite a lot, to create a lever, arm yourself with a screwdriver of sufficient length or an extension.
- Using a 14 mm socket or socket wrench, unscrew the bolt of the lower caliper guide.
- Without unscrewing the top bolt, fold the lower part of the caliper up and secure it with wire.
- Remove the front brake pads from the bracket.
Installation
Before installing new front friction linings, the guide plate and bracket seats must be thoroughly cleaned. As shown in the video, a slotted screwdriver and a wire brush are best suited for this purpose. To ensure free movement of the front friction linings along the guide plates, the plates themselves and the ends of the pads must be lubricated with high-temperature caliper grease.
After all manipulations, the working surface of the discs and brake pads should be free of fat deposits and any lubricant residues.
Final operations for replacing the front pads:
- install guide plates;
- insert new friction linings into the grooves;
- Reassemble the caliper and all other elements in the reverse order of removal.
After completing the replacement, check the brake fluid level.
- Before unscrewing the guides, check the free movement of the calipers. They should move without distortions or jams. Also carefully inspect the guide boots and brake hoses. When moisture, dirt, or road chemicals get inside, the guides begin to stick to the caliper. Difficult movement of the calipers will lead to uneven wear of the pads and discs. The situation is also unsafe because the redistribution of braking force between the front wheels may change.
Caliper parts that need lubrication
- On many cars, the guide bolt is unscrewed with a hex key, so before unscrewing it is necessary to thoroughly clean the internal cavity. Without the proper amount of lubrication, bolts often stick. In order not to tear off the edges, the hexagon must be securely fixed in the groove of the bolt head.
- To replace, we recommend purchasing pads with anti-squeak plates. Before installation, it is advisable to separate the plates from the pads in order to apply a thin layer of special caliper lubricant where they contact the metal base.
Rear drum brakes
Let's look at the procedure for replacing rear friction linings using the Hyundai Accent II as an example.
- Loosen the wheel bolts.
- Adhering to safety regulations, jack up the rear of the car.
- Remove the wheel.
- Release the tension on the handbrake cable.
- Remove the brake drum.
- Release the end of the handbrake cable from the groove of the manual shoe drive lever.
- Remove the upper and lower return springs.
- Unscrew the “soldiers” holding the rear friction linings.
- Install the end of the handbrake cable into the groove of the manual supply lever.
- Place the new trim at the intended fastening location, and then secure it with a “soldier.”
- Install the adjuster with a lever into the grooves of the new pad, then attach it to the brake shield, installing the “soldier”.
- Install the upper and lower return springs.
To avoid looking at the parts of the rear drum brakes with confused eyes when assembling, take photos before disassembling that will allow you to assemble the brake mechanism without any problems.
If you decide to change the brake pads, but keep the old drums, it is advisable to cut off the “shoulder”. In the case of deep potholes or uneven wear, it is advisable to sharpen the drums before installation. After completing the work, be sure to adjust the parking brake.
Rear disc brake brake pads
The design and operating principle of rear disc brakes are not much different from the mechanisms on the front axle, so the replacement process is extremely similar. We invite you to watch a video that shows in detail the replacement of rear handbrake brake pads on disc brakes.
When choosing a new vehicle, many people pay special attention to such active safety system parameters as the number of airbags, the presence of a stability control system, a lane departure warning system and a number of others. But while paying attention to seemingly very important car options, we forget to check the reliability of the most basic safety system - the reliability of the brakes.
Brakes are responsible for slowing down the car and bringing it to a complete stop. If your vehicle has a "healthy" braking system and you maintain it in good working order (while keeping in mind ours), then you may never have to use airbags or learn the hard way about your car's crumple zones.
HOW DOES A CAR BRAKE SYSTEM WORK?
Let's take a quick look at how a car's braking system works. Most modern models are equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels, although some vehicles are still equipped with drum brakes on the rear wheels and disc brakes on the front wheels (American variant). When you step on the brake pedal in a vehicle equipped with disc brakes, a set of heat-resistant pads clamp on the rotating brake rotor, using friction to slow the wheels, eventually bringing the vehicle to a stop.
Over time, these pads wear out, reducing their ability to slow the vehicle. This is why it is important to replace the pads exactly when it becomes necessary; however, you don't always have to go to a mechanic to get your car's brakes fixed. While repairing the brake system itself is best left to the professionals, replacing brake pads is a type of work that you can do yourself, and at home.
In this article, we'll discuss how to change brake pads, a fairly simple process that can save you a trip to the workshop. Read on to learn how to tell when it's time to upgrade to new pads.
WHEN TO CHANGE BRAKE PADS?
First of all, remember the following: it is very dangerous for your life and the lives of others to delay replacing brake pads. Since you regularly use the brakes for thousands of kilometers, brake pads gradually wear out, their ability to stop the car gradually decreases. But how do you know when it's time to replace the pads?
Luckily, determining when your car needs some brake service isn't all that difficult. Disc brakes usually include a part called a wear indicator. A wear indicator is a small piece of metal attached to the brake pad that contacts the brake rotor when the pad material has worn down to a certain level. When you step on the brake pedal and hear a loud grinding noise, you know it's the wear indicator interacting with the brake rotor. This noise is a sign that your vehicle's brakes need inspection.
In other words, if your brakes are making a lot of noise, don't hesitate to fix the problem as quickly as possible.
If you decide to tackle the problem yourself, there are a few more signs that your brakes are wearing out. If brake pads are severely worn, they may leave circular marks or grooves on the brake rotors. These marks, or scratches as they are commonly called, are very similar to the grooves on vinyl records and are a sign that the pads need to be urgently replaced. If the scratches on the discs are particularly deep, the discs themselves may also need to be replaced. If the grooves are not too deep into the surface of the brake rotor, you can polish it on a polishing machine to give the disc a new, smooth surface. Typically, resurfacing a set of brake rotors costs much less than replacing them completely.
While you're inspecting your pads, it's a good idea to also inspect your brake hoses for cracks and holes. If there is any problem (or leakage) in the brake hoses, the pressure in the brake system will gradually decrease and your car's braking system will not work properly - and sometimes this can lead to complete system failure. Be sure to also inspect all connections thoroughly. The brakes should be sealed at this end of the system so that you should not see any drops of brake fluid near the wheel. If you find a leak, try to find the source. Depending on your abilities, you can either fix the leak yourself or call a professional for help. In any case, fix the problem as quickly as possible. Even a small leak in the hydraulic brake system can be very dangerous.
Your car's brake pads should last tens of thousands of miles, but this largely depends on the specific vehicle and your driving style. The more you use your brakes, the shorter the lifespan of your brake pads. When it comes time to replace them, don't be afraid to do the repairs yourself.
PREPARING THE CAR FOR REPLACING BRAKE PADS
Brake repair, especially when it comes to replacing brake pads, doesn't always mean demanding or hard work, but proper preparation can speed up the process and even make it safer. Let's talk about how to get your car ready to go.
Start by placing blocks under your car to secure it and prevent it from moving while you work on the brake pads. Then loosen (but don't completely remove) the nuts on the wheel you are going to change the pads on, for example, as if you were going to change the tires.
Then use a jack to raise the car and secure it. This step is very important. Replacing car wheels is a fairly quick procedure (as confirmed by our article “”), but replacing brake pads takes much longer. In addition, when working with pads, more of your body is under the car than when working with car tires. Protecting yourself as much as possible from the car falling is crucial at this stage. After you have placed the car on jacks, rock it a little. It will be much better if the car falls off the jacks now than while replacing the pads themselves. Be concerned about your safety.
Now that the car is in the air (at the proper level of safety), unscrew the nuts all the way and remove the wheels. This will expose your vehicle's brake rotors, brake calipers, and brake pads.
So now your car is ready to go. But what do you need directly to replace brake pads if you are at home? In the next part of our article, we will talk about the tools needed to get the job done.
TOOLS FOR REPLACING BRAKE PADS 
Brake repair tools, especially those used to replace brake pads, will not cause you any additional headaches and do not require special skills to use. In fact, you can easily find them anywhere (for example, on the website) or in a special section of your favorite hypermarket.
Here's a quick rundown of what you'll need and why:
* C-shaped tube - it is used to put pressure on the caliper kit and push the piston all the way, returning the brakes to their original position as soon as the new pads are in place. Note: Some vehicles require the use of a special brake caliper tool to retract the caliper piston all the way. Remember, before you begin any repair work, it's never a bad idea to do a little research and find out exactly what tools are needed to perform a particular task on your vehicle.
* Wrench - to loosen the caliper bolts. You can choose the brand of wrenches yourself, but do not forget about the specifics of any vehicle.
* Wheel nut wrench - to remove the nuts that secure the wheel.
* Gloves - they are needed to protect your hands from chemicals and dirt that you may encounter during the procedure.
* Respirator and safety glasses - a mask is needed to prevent inhalation of brake dust, and glasses to protect your eyes from small pieces of metal and chemical liquids while directly working on replacing the pads.
* New brake pads - their purpose is obvious - to replace worn brake pads.
Many of you probably already have most of these automotive tools stored in your garage or work area. In other words, you don't need to be a professional mechanic to replace your brake pads yourself. It’s worth noting that buying new pads won’t cost you a pretty penny either. You can easily purchase a standard set at any auto parts store or online. Typically, prices range from 40 to 100 US dollars.
REMOVAL OF OLD BRAKE PADS
Now that your car is in the air and securely in place, with all the tools at your fingertips, it's time to start doing what you intended to do from the beginning: removing the old brake pads and replacing them with new ones.
Let's quickly analyze what stage we are at at the moment. The car is fixed in the air, the wheels and tires are removed to expose the brake rotors and calipers. To remove worn brake pads, we first need to remove the calipers. Use a wrench to loosen the caliper bolts that hold them in place, and then remove the bolts completely (or back as far as they will go).
Once the bolts are removed, lift the calipers off the brake rotor. They will still be connected to the car by the brake lines. The following information is very important - do not let the calipers hang on these tubes. This can lead to damage to the brake pipes, which in turn can lead to a malfunction of the brake system. Instead, attach the calipers to nearby parts of the suspension using wire or wire. Make sure the brake lines are free to slack and not pinched, kinked or in the path of any of the tools you'll be using throughout the process.
Take a look at the brake disc, which is now not covered by the caliper. If the disc has deep scratches or grooves, you probably have 
there will be a desire to polish the surface or replace the discs with new ones. Remember that it is very important to pay attention to all the little things when you are doing repairs yourself, so you should either have a sander or new discs.
Now that you have removed the brake calipers, you can directly see the brake pads. They are typically held in place with studs or bolts, or sometimes both. Remove any type of hardware that secures the pads to the caliper and remove the pads.
Now inspect the pads. Do they look too worn? Are they relatively thin compared to the new pads you purchased? If so, then you have made the right decision and it is time to install new ones.
So far everything is turning out great! Now that we have successfully removed the old pads, let's install new ones and finish this minor brake system repair.
INSTALLING NEW BRAKE PADS
It's almost time to install new brake pads. But before you can do that, there's one more step you need to complete. You must manually remove the caliper piston.
If you look at the inside of the caliper, you will see a cylindrical piston coming out - this part pushes against the inside of the brake pad. You will see that this piston has adjusted to the worn pads, so you will need to reset it to its original position before the calipers, along with the new and thicker pads, are installed in place.
Before resetting the piston in the caliper, it would be a good idea to remove the cap that covers the brake fluid reservoir. If you don't do this, you'll have to contend with a significant amount of pressurized fluid.
Now that you have removed the reservoir cap, there comes a time when you will need a C-shaped clamp. Place the end with the screw on the piston. If you like, you can use a small piece of bark wood to protect the surface of the piston. When you turn the end with the screw, the clamp will increase the pressure on the piston. Continue tightening it until you are able to insert the new pads into the caliper and install the caliper with the new pads onto the brake rotor.
If you find that the piston does not resist retraction, do not push on it. You may be dealing with a caliper whose piston rotates as it straightens. If this is the case, then you will need a special tool that forces the piston back into the caliper. A brake caliper tool - a specially designed tool that allows you to reinstall this type of caliper piston - is available for purchase at almost every auto parts store. If you can't find it in , you can order this tool online, or, if you're lucky, you can ask your neighbor if he has one lying around in his garage and he can lend it to you until the evening.
Once the brake caliper piston is returned to its original position, you can close the brake fluid reservoir cap. Remember that it is best not to leave the tank open longer than circumstances require. Debris or even water can find its way into your vehicle's hydraulic brake system. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs and holds water. Water in brake lines leads to serious safety issues and more complex repairs than the relatively simple brake pad replacement we're completing.
Installing new brake discs at this stage simply requires sliding them into place where the old ones were previously located. If this process is causing any difficulty and you find it difficult to insert the new pads with just your hands, you can gently help them with a hammer or rubber hammer. Then install the studs or bolts that held the previous pads in place and you're pretty much done.
Then, install the caliper in its place on the brake disc. Make sure it is snug and tighten the bolts that hold the caliper in place. Make sure everything is back in place and then press the brake pedal inside the car a few times to make sure everything is in order. You may need to press the pedal a few times to get all the brake components into place.
The remaining part of the repair is the simplest. Put the wheel in place, tighten the nuts, lower the car to the ground using the same jacks. Be sure to fully tighten the wheel nuts when the vehicle is lowered to the ground.
In addition, do not forget to give the car a short test drive to ensure that the pad replacement job was completed successfully. Repairing your brakes is one thing, but making sure it was done properly is another.
Here's an entertaining video about the mistakes you can make when replacing brake pads.
There seems to be a question mark at the end of the title. Indeed, how to replace brake pads yourself? But for those who love and know how to tinker with technology, this is not a question. They have carried out a similar operation more than once. For them, replacing the front brake pads themselves, as well as the rear ones, is, in general, an everyday matter. There will definitely be car owners for whom replacing brake pads on their own is comparable to flying to Mars. They will not find out details on social networks, from friends and acquaintances, but will simply go to the dealer. Those who remain are those who want to save money, and at the same time learn a useful business. This “cheat sheet” is addressed to them on the topic: “How to change the brake pads yourself?”
When to change?
First of all, let's try to answer the question: when should they be changed? The fact is that no one will tell you the exact time, since several main factors influence the wear of the pads. This includes the quality of the product, operating conditions, and driving style. If you purchased a counterfeit product (intentionally or out of ignorance - it doesn’t matter), drive on unkempt roads, brake hard, then, of course, the service life of the pads will unpleasantly surprise you. For a calm driver who does not crave self-realization or the dubious reputation of a road hooligan, they will last much longer.
On average, the pads on the front wheels last 10 - 15 thousand kilometers. Rear pads are more durable, especially on drum brakes; they can last up to 50,000 kilometers or more. But again, this depends on the condition of the car and the factors listed above. And still, the day will come when it becomes clear: the pads need to be changed. It is important not to miss this moment.
It’s one thing - a pebble hit, the brakes “squeaked” and calmed down, and quite another thing - a persistent squeak when braking, which only increases every day. Call for service immediately! Or go to a spare parts store if you decide to replace the brake pads yourself. Otherwise, the piston of the working cylinder may become covered. This is exactly what happened to the author of these lines: while driving, the brake pedal sank, all the brake fluid leaked out and... Well, the speed was low, and nearby there was an almost empty parking lot, where we managed to stop. What if everything happened at high speed, and even in heavy traffic?!
I had to change the pads on both front wheels, as well as the discs - the most expensive components in this “company”. And, after all, he knew how things could turn out, but he kept putting off the repairs. If I hadn't pulled the tires, I would have kept the wheels and saved money. But I learned a lesson, albeit a somewhat harsh one.
In general, decide whether to take the car to an authorized service center, to “Uncle Vasya’s” garage, or try to figure out how to change the brake pads yourself. You may lose time, but you will definitely save money.
Changing the front pads
To replace the front brake pads yourself, we drive onto a flat surface, put the car in gear, raise the handbrake lever, and place shoes under the rear wheels on both sides.
Now you need to loosen the bolts that secure the wheel to the rim. Then, jack up one side of the car, and when the tread comes off the surface, install a stand on which the body will also rest.
Replacing brake pads yourself is not that difficult, but if you are doing it for the first time, then you need to have endurance, patience and push your doubts somewhere very far away. Then replacing the front brake pads yourself will go relatively smoothly. So: unscrew the wheel mounting bolts and remove it from the disk.
For better access to the caliper, turn the wheel so that it is convenient for you to work; to avoid damage to the brake hose, remove it from the mounting niche; Using a screwdriver or chisel, bend the edges of the lock washers securing the guide bolts.
The caliper serves to create traction with the discs through hydraulic pressure, which slows the wheel before the brake pads are applied. Usually consists of one or two parts and is attached with two to four bolts to the hub - where the wheel fits onto the axle.
We insert a screwdriver between the disc and the brake bar on the caliper piston side. Now you need to press on the bar to relieve the pressure of the piston and move the pads away from the disc a little. This will allow you to lift the housing and pull out the pads without additional effort.
Now loosen one of the bolts and completely unscrew the other. We move the caliper casing with the fixing brackets and take out the old pads.
Make note of how each block is attached. Typically, they snap into place using metal clips. It is possible that you will have to apply force to get the pads to pop out. “Apply” carefully so as not to touch the calipers and brake pipe.
The algorithm is simple, but it requires skills, and they are acquired only through experience. Several such operations, and you will know as well as anyone else how to replace the brake pads yourself.
Photo caption Recessing the piston into the cylinder
Before installing new pads, use the same screwdriver to press the caliper piston inward until it stops. The brake fluid level in the reservoir will begin to rise. Excess liquid needs to be pumped out. For example, using a rubber bulb. Check the integrity of the brake hoses: if cracks appear, do not change them already. Then - an immediate replacement, if, of course, you really care about your safety.
Everything is fine? Then put the pads in place, reassembling them in reverse order. After making sure that replacing the front brake pads yourself was done correctly, let’s figure out how to replace the rear brake pads yourself.
But first, a small “lyrical” digression. There are often private requests on the network, for example, “Replacing brake pads on a Solaris yourself,” “Replacing Tiguan brake pads yourself,” “Replacing an AMD brake pad on a Daewoo yourself.” Actually, this is all from the same “opera”, well, maybe, with the exception of some nuances. The abbreviation AMD is the name of a South Korean company whose products fully comply with the parameters of original spare parts. If your car has exactly these pads, then this only speaks of their quality, but the replacement process is still the same. True, we must take into account the features of some models, for example Daewoo Nexia.
Replacing Solaris brake pads yourself will require ring wrenches and a wide flat-head screwdriver. Before you start replacing, you need to pump out the brake fluid if it is at the MAX mark. First, the lower guide is unscrewed, then the upper one, the brake caliper and brake disc are removed along with the old pads. The worn block must be picked up with a screwdriver and removed. We do the same with the second block. The plate from the old pads is mounted on the new ones.
And in the case of the Nexia, and in the case of the Solaris, and with other cars, it is recommended to drive the first 500 - 1000 kilometers calmly, without resorting to emergency or simply intense braking. You need to give the pads time to get used to the discs.
Changing the rear pads
Let's skip the steps of preparing the car for removing and installing the pads. When the wheel is removed, use a wrench to unscrew the two bolts, holding the guide. Then remove the brake caliper and press in the front brake cylinder. We remove the pads, clean the caliper, install the pads and assemble the entire structure.
Replacing the rear brake pads yourself will be more confident if you have already changed the front ones. This refers to disc brakes. With drums it’s a little more difficult. However, replacing the Solaris rear brake pads yourself will not bring much trouble if you follow the instructions, take your time and do not confuse anything. In general, we carry out the work in the same way as on other cars with a similar type of rear brakes.
In any case, you need to know that the drum brake mechanism works somewhat differently than the disc brake. When you press the pedal, brake fluid flows through tubes and hoses and acts on both pistons in the working cylinder, which press the bars against the sides of the drum and reduce the speed.
We fix the front wheels with shoes. We engage first gear, without squeezing the handbrake. Loosen the bolts securing the wheel to the hub. Raise the desired side with a jack. We immediately slide the stand under it. Now you can unscrew the bolts and remove the wheel. Let's start disassembling the brake mechanism.
Replacing the rear brake pads yourself begins with removing the brake drum. It is fixed to the hub with two guide pins. We unscrew them. We compress the separated cylinder pistons with a pry bar, acting on the strips. This is important, otherwise it will be impossible to put the drum back on by installing new pads.
We monitor the level of brake fluid, which can spill out of the reservoir when the cylinder pistons are compressed. Using pliers, remove the upper and lower tension springs. We dismantle the handbrake lever itself. Installing the pads and assembling the brake mechanism yourself is done in the reverse order.
Which pads should I buy?
The answer is simple: you need to buy those brake pads that are recommended by the manufacturer. Everything else is from the evil one. Replacing rear brake pads is not such a difficult task if you act in the required sequence and do not fuss. But as for choosing pads, this process may be more difficult.
If, for example, you look for the cheapest pads for a VAZ-2110, or any other car, then, thinking only about savings, you can lose a lot in quality, and, therefore, in safety. This applies to both budget and expensive cars. Finding out which brake pads are the best is actually not difficult. But what's most interesting is that it's not so much a matter of brands, but where you buy spare parts.
On the market or in online stores, there is a greater chance of running into fakes that can only be distinguished from the originals by an expert. And they learned to stamp the packaging no worse than the branded one, although an experienced person will find differences on the boxes.
A non-original pad, even if it fits in size, can fit into the caliper at different angles and in different planes. We look at photo 1 - the block easily moves at a certain angle to the right relative to the axis. In photo 2 - to the left. In photo 3, she stands in a different plane, known only to her. In any of these positions, the wear will be uneven and the pad will not last long. It will creak, play (*move away), damage the brake disc, dirt will get into the caliper, and as a result, braking efficiency will be reduced because the clamping force will be different.
In general, experts say that even in the most well-known networks that sell spare parts, you can easily run into a fake. It’s another matter if you deliberately buy a non-original part or, in our case, brake pads. But then the responsibility for the consequences lies entirely with you.
It’s better, after all, to contact an official dealer and buy pads from him. So, at least you will get an authentic product. The path is a little more expensive, but you will still save on installing it yourself, and at the same time, quite possibly, save your health and life.
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The braking system is one of those that is used more often than others, and therefore the closest attention is paid to it even at the design stage. Manufacturers do everything possible to make it last as long as possible. But sometimes there comes a time when the brake pads require replacement. The rate of wear depends on many factors: type of gearbox, operating conditions, manufacturer, driving style, etc. The main thing is to remember that you should not hesitate under any circumstances. Not only your own life, but also the lives of those around you depends on it.
When to change?
Before you ask yourself the question of how to replace the rear ones, you should definitely determine that this moment has come. How to do it? Yes, very simple. As a rule, they are equipped with a special wear sensor, which begins to emit a nasty metallic squeal when braking, which is almost impossible not to hear. In any case, it is necessary to perform periodic visual inspection of the brake pads. If their thickness has become less than 3 mm, and there is no squealing, you can safely proceed to replacement.
Which ones to choose?
Before replacing brake pads, you need to decide on their choice. It is advisable to buy original parts, choosing them from special catalogs depending on the car make, year of manufacture, body type, etc., or purchase goods from well-known manufacturers. Otherwise, you can easily run into a fake.
23.01.2013
In previous articles we have already learned how often you need to change brake brakes, when to replace them, and how to check wear:
In this article we will move directly to replacing the front brake pads.
So, for work we need:
- spray can;
- wd-40 - we use it wherever it is impossible to unscrew the fasteners;
- wrenches, spanners set to “13”;
- new set of brake pads;
- car jack;
- flat screwdriver.
Before starting work, be sure to place your car on a flat surface, put it in first gear, and put the handbrake on. Place “shoes” (halves of bricks) under the rear wheels on both sides.
How to remove front brake pads?
- The very first thing to do is to loosen the wheel bolts on both sides, note: just LOOSEN!
- Place the jack under the car and lift the front wheel (place the jack on a flat surface).
- Completely unscrew the front wheel mount and remove the wheel.
- For convenience, we turn the steering wheel completely towards the disassembled wheel: if the left wheel has been removed, then we turn the steering wheel completely to the left side.
- Pay attention to the picture: take a 13mm wrench and unscrew this bolt, having first bent (straightened) the counter key. Do not lose the bolts, because... you will have to install it back (It is worth noting that some brake pad manufacturers put new fasteners in the box).
- We open the brake fluid barrel, use a syringe to pour some fluid into the jar in order to leave a reserve in case the fluid rises up in level. If the liquid is at the min level, which is very dangerous, then there is no need to drain anything.
- We move the caliper (under number 1 in the diagram) and gain access to the pads.
- Next we need to push the brake piston back into the cylinder. Because As the pads wear, the piston is forced further and further out of the cylinder. To do this, we find an inspection hole (indicated by the number “A” in the diagram). Next, take a flat-head screwdriver and thread it into the inspection hole between the pad and the brake piston. And we begin to push the piston back into the cylinder. Do not apply too much force; the piston needs to move evenly and over time.
- We remove the brake hose fasteners so that it does not interfere.
- We move the caliper.
- Remove the brake pads.
How to install front brake pads?
- We take new brake pads and place them tightly in the grooves to the brake disc: we rest the pads with their antennae against the stops and press them against the disc (look at the picture).
- Close the caliper.
- We tighten our bolt and do not forget to bend the control washer.
- We put the brake hose in place.
- We put the wheel on and tighten the mounts crosswise.
- Add brake fluid to the barrel and close it.
