DIY

DIY Auto Repair: Replacing Your Brake Pads

Car repairs can cost you a lot of time and money. You can save yourself some of both by learning how to do some of the more basic auto maintenance procedures. With that in mind, here’s a brief DIY guide to one of them: replacing your brake pads. You’ll need: an open end or adjustable wrench, a c-clamp, a hammer, a small bungee cord and Allen wrenches.

Preparations
Loosen the bolts of the wheel before jacking the car up; this will make it easier to remove the wheels one you do. Make sure to use a jackstand, as you never want to get under a car supported only by jacks.

Remove Wheel
Start loosening the bottom bolts first and work your way up, as this will keep the wheel stable. Once the bolts are out, place the wheel carefully to the side.

Unbolt Break Caliper
You can locate the brake caliper in the 12 o’clock position, above the shiny brake disk. There are two bolts on either side of the back of the caliper. Remove them with either the lug or the Allen wrench. Pull the caliper from the top and hang it from somewhere using the short bungee cord.

Remove Old Pads
With the caliper removed, take a moment to remember how everything is installed; take a digital picture if you can, as this will help you remember where everything goes when you’re putting it all back together. Your car might include small metal retainers that hold the pads in place. Remove these, take the old pads, insert the new pads, and then put the metal pieces back in place.

Adjusting the Brake Piston
Locate the piston behind the brake caliper. This is the brake piston, which pushes the brake pads from the back. The piston adjusts itself to fit the pads as they wear. Because you’ll be installing new pads, you’re gonna want to adjust the piston back to its starting position. Take your c-clamp and put the screw end of it against the piston and the other end against the back of the caliper. Tighten until the new pads can fit comfortably.

Reinstall Brake Caliper
Put the brake caliper in place. Reinstall the bolts and tighten them firmly. Press on the brake pedal to check that the pressure is good, then reinstall the tires and jack the car down. If your car seems too difficult to work on, don’t hesitate to play it safe and use San Diego BMW repair.

About the Author

Ryan Frank is an avid writer and blogger living in San Diego, CA.

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