How to change front brake pads

Front brake pads provide up to 70% of vehicle stopping power. In general, front brake pads wear out twice as fast as rear brake pads, 2 to 1. Disc brakes have a definite braking power advantage over drum style brakes and performance is not compromised as much when wet. Some disc brakes utilize cooling fins in-between the braking surfaces to maximize cooling efficiency. Replacing brake discs can vary depending on the make and model of car or truck, two wheel or four wheel drive. Always replace

brake rotors with top quality or OEM (original equipment manufacturer) brake rotors, some less expensive brake rotors can squeak and not dissipate heat as well because of their inferior metal quality.

How to Change Front Brake Pads and Rotors

Step 1 - Identify Front Disc Brake Components

Most front disc brake components include: brake rotor, brake pads, brake caliper, caliper mount and brake flex hose. Brake service usual occurs between 20,000 and 40,000 miles depending on driver habits road conditions and brake pad material used.

Step 2 - Remove Brake Caliper to Replace Pads

Locate primary caliper mounting bolts; apply wrench pressure counter clockwise to remove the bolt, upper and lower. Make sure the bolt threads are in good shape and replace if necessary.

Step 3 - Remove Front Brake Caliper

After removing the primary caliper mounting bolts lift the brake caliper mounting lift brake caliper off of the rotor and then tie or set gently to the side, be careful of the brake caliper flex hose not to bend or kink it. Thoroughly inspect brake caliper and brake hoses for leakage and replace as needed. Next loosen the brake pads and secondary caliper mounting bolts. Notice how great protective gloves work, most technicians use them on the job today.

Step 4 - Remove Brake Pads

Remove brake pads, make sure if there is anti rattle hardware to transfer to the new brake pads.

Step 5 - Remove Caliper Mount

Finish removing secondary caliper mount bolts and remove caliper mount. Note: clean and lube caliper slides and pad mounts.

Step 6 - Remove Brake Rotor

With the caliper mount out of the way you can now remove the brake rotor. Sometimes it can get stuck so you may need to tap it with a hammer or use an oil penetrate. Clean and inspect wheel studs, replace if any are damaged. Also clean bearing hub rotor mount surface to ensure the proper mounting of the new brake rotor. Inspect the ABS sensor wheel for cracks or damage and replace as needed.

Step 7 - Depressing the Brake Caliper

To install the new brake pads you must retract the brake caliper piston. Remove the master cylinder lid to allow excess brake fluid to be released if necessary. Install C clamp tool and gently tighten clamp until caliper piston is fully depressed. Note: use old brake pad to protect the caliper piston.

Step 8 - Installing New Brake Rotor

Install new brake rotor, the new rotor is manufactured with a protective film over the rotor, remove protective film before installing; also after the brake job is complete you may experience a small amount of smoke from the rotor when first used. This is normal and will go away after the first couple of uses.

Step 9 - Installing New Front Brake Pads

Reinstall the front brake caliper mount, and then install front brake pads. Make sure the pads are not too lose or too tight in the caliper mount, it must be a close fit to work properly.

Step 10 - Reinstall Front Brake Caliper

Reinstall front brake caliper and reinstall caliper mounting bolts, recheck all mounts and mounting bolts. Check the caliper slides to be sure there is no bind and that the caliper moves freely back and forth on the caliper slides. Bleed brake system per manufacturer's specifications to relieve any air trapped in the system. Before driving the vehicle, push the brake pedal down and let it up slowly, repeat until normal brake pedal operation resumes, this operation is forcing the brake pads to travel to the brake rotors. DO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE UNTIL PROPER BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION IS PRESENT. When test driving vehicle listen for any unusual noises during the operation of the brakes, Note: until brake pads are broken in first 30 miles or so) the operation of the brakes maybe slightly impaired.

source: howtodothings- How to change front brake pads