How to Change Brake Pads and Rotor

Aidan Reed

Resources:​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RQ9UabOIPg

What are the brake pads and rotor?

The brake rotor or brake disk is the part of the brakes that rotates with the wheel. The pads
press on either side of the rotor to stop your vehicle. Both of these components wear out over
time and need to be replaced about every 30,000 miles to 70,000 miles.

How to replace:

1. First you want to jack up your car on the end you're replacing the breaks on.

2. When replacing your brake pads make sure to replace both sides to ensure you have even
braking on both sides.

3. Now you can remove your lug nuts and take off the wheel.

4. Now remove the bolt that allows your caliper to pivot out. This will give you access to the
pads.
5. Now remove the pads and unbolt the rest of your caliper. Make sure not to leave the caliper
dangling by the breakline.

6. Now remove the rotor. If your rotor is rusted on the hub you can hit it with a hammer to break
the rust.

7. Now that everything is off its a good idea to sand the hub and caliper with a wire brush to
remove any excess rust.

8. Once you have your new rotor, wipe off the packaging oil and slide the rotor on the hub.

9. Now bolt the caliper bracket on the hub. Make sure to add threadlocker on the mounting bolts
to ensure nothing comes loose.

10. Now that the caliper bracket is in place, grab one of your old brake pads and your caliper
and use the brake piston compressor to compress the piston flush with the caliper. Make sure to
clean around the piston to ensure no dirt gets into the caliper.

11. Now replace the brake hardware and lubricate where the pads meet the bracket. You should
also lubricate the back of the pads and the top of the hardware. Use a copper based anti sense
instead of graphite based for the lubricant.

12. Finally insert your new brake pads in the bracket and bolt on the rest of the caliper. Now all
you need to do is bolt your wheel back on and take your new breaks for a spin.

13. Before you start driving you should pump your breaks a couple times to add pressure to
your new breaks.