How to Change Brakes on a Car

Trust your mechanic but wWant to save money?

Want to make sure your brakes are put on right?
Don’t trust the mechanics with your car?
Then follow the instructions below!

Tools

 Gloves to keep hands clean

 Jack and jack stand
 Lug wrench
 C-clamp
 Wrench

Have all the tools? The next steps are shown belowProcedure
1. Loosen the lug nuts with the lug wrench.

Note: The lug nuts are the nuts that keep the wheel connected to the car. 

                 
2. Jack up the car.

Note:  Make sure to pick a safe place under the car to put the jack. The following picture
shows a safe place to put the jack. 
 3. Remove the wheel with the lug wrench

Note: If the car was taken to a car shop to get new brakes it might be hard to get the
wheel off because the mechanics that work there usually tighten the bolts too tight. If the wheel
cannot be loosened with the lug wrench, the next tool to use would be a 20 volt cordless impact
wrench. 

Tip: AutoZone or other car places will let you barrow tools so you do not have to pay the
full price for them.

4. Loosen the Caliper. 

  Note: There should be two bolts holding the caliper in place. After the bolts have been
removed, the caliper should slide right out.

5. Remove the rotor. 

 Note: a. Some rotors have a screw that keeps it attached which needs to be
unscrewed first. Otherwise hitting the rotor with a hammer should do the trick. The following
picture is one of a rotor that has a screw in the middle that would have to be unscrewed  first.

6. Install the new rotor. 

Note: a. Dust the rust off the hub from the old rotor and .use a wrench to tighten the
bolts to secure the rotor.
a. Use a wrench to tighten the bolts to secure the rotor.

7. Compress the Caliper

Note: Use the C-clamp to make the caliper piston flush with the housing of the caliper
                              
    
8. Install the new brake pads. 

Note: Secure the caliper bolts.

Note: Tighten the bolts all the way and make sure to double check that they are all the
way on.                                

8. Put back on the wheels and lower the car with the jack.

10. Put the car in reverse and back up very slowly as it takes the new brakes a few
seconds to kick in.