How to Change Brake Pads

Beyond the general maintenance cars require such as oil changes and tune-ups, one of the most common parts that wear out are brake pads. If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving, for instance, you know how often you need to change your brake pads. Changing brake pads can be a bit tricky, but it's possible once you get the hang of it.

Difficulty: Moderately ChallengingInstructionsThings You'll Need:

Tire iron
Jack
Jack stands
Wooden blocks
Wrench
C-clamp or vise grip
Brake pad grease

Step 1
Loosen the lug nuts on both front wheels. Jack the front of the car up and lower onto jack stands. Put the emergency brake on and place 4-by-4 inch wooden blocks behind the rear wheels to keep the car from rolling back while jacked up.
Step 2
Remove the front wheels to expose the brake assembly on each side of the vehicle.
Step 3
Unbolt the mounting bolts holding the caliper and brake pads onto the rotor. Slip the caliper off the rotor. Remove bolts and/or clips-some brake assemblies have one or the other, some have both-attaching the brake pads to the caliper.
Step 4
Return the piston in the caliper to the fully-open position. Use a C-clamp or vise grip. As the brake pad wore, the piston moved closer and closer to the rotor. With new brake pads, this piston must be opened all the way before the new pads can be installed.
Step 5
Apply grease to the backs of the new brake pads and assemble brakes in the reverse order you took them apart. Repeat the process for the other side of the vehicle.