The rear brake pads are a vital part of your car’s braking system, liable for slowing and stopping the car while you apply stress to the brake pedal. Over time, brake pads can put on down and change into much less efficient, compromising your security and the efficiency of your car. In case you discover indicators of worn brake pads, reminiscent of squealing or grinding noises when braking, it is essential to switch them promptly to make sure optimum braking efficiency.
Changing rear brake pads generally is a comparatively simple job that may be accomplished at dwelling with the fitting instruments and data. Nonetheless, it is vital to method this restore with warning and observe the correct steps to make sure the protection and effectiveness of your braking system. Earlier than you start, collect the mandatory instruments, together with a jack, jack stands, lug wrench, C-clamp, and a set of recent rear brake pads. Moreover, seek the advice of your car’s proprietor’s handbook for particular directions and security precautions associated to your explicit make and mannequin.
To start, safely carry your car utilizing the jack and safe it on jack stands. Take away the lug nuts and detach the rear wheels. As soon as the wheels are eliminated, you may have entry to the brake calipers. Use a wrench to loosen the caliper bolts and punctiliously take away the caliper from the brake rotor. Subsequent, slide out the outdated brake pads and insert the brand new ones into the caliper bracket. Guarantee the brand new pads are correctly positioned and aligned earlier than tightening the caliper bolts. Repeat this course of for the opposite rear wheel, and observe the reverse steps to reassemble the wheels and decrease your car.
Kinds of Brake Rotors and Their Benefits
Plain Rotors
Plain rotors are probably the most fundamental kind of brake rotor. They’re made from a single piece of forged iron and don’t have any slots or holes. Plain rotors are inexpensive than different varieties of rotors, however in addition they have a shorter lifespan. They’re additionally extra liable to warping, which might result in brake judder.
Drilled Rotors
Drilled rotors have holes drilled into the floor of the rotor. These holes assist to dissipate warmth and scale back brake fade. Drilled rotors are dearer than plain rotors, however in addition they last more. They’re additionally much less liable to warping than plain rotors.
Slotted Rotors
Slotted rotors have slots minimize into the floor of the rotor. These slots assist to wipe away brake mud and particles. Slotted rotors are dearer than plain rotors, however in addition they last more. They’re additionally much less liable to warping than plain rotors.
Cross-Drilled and Slotted Rotors
Cross-drilled and slotted rotors have each holes and slots drilled into the floor of the rotor. These rotors provide one of the best of each worlds, offering each warmth dissipation and particles removing. Cross-drilled and slotted rotors are the costliest kind of brake rotor, however in addition they final the longest. They’re additionally the least liable to warping.
Selecting the Proper Brake Rotors
The kind of brake rotors you select will rely in your driving habits and price range. In case you drive in quite a lot of stop-and-go site visitors, you will have rotors that may dissipate warmth effectively. In case you tow heavy hundreds or drive in hilly areas, you will have rotors which can be sturdy and fewer liable to warping. If you’re on a price range, plain rotors are a great possibility. Nonetheless, if you need one of the best efficiency, cross-drilled and slotted rotors are the best way to go.
| Rotor Kind | Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Rotors | – Cheaper – Much less liable to warping |
– Shorter lifespan – Extra liable to brake fade |
| Drilled Rotors | – Higher warmth dissipation – Lowered brake fade – Longer lifespan |
– Dearer – Extra liable to warping |
| Slotted Rotors | – Higher particles removing – Longer lifespan – Much less liable to warping |
– Dearer – Extra liable to warmth buildup |
| Cross-Drilled and Slotted Rotors | – Greatest warmth dissipation – Greatest particles removing – Longest lifespan – Least liable to warping |
– Costliest |
The best way to Set up Rear Brake Pads
Putting in rear brake pads is a comparatively simple course of that may be accomplished in about an hour with the fitting instruments. Here is a step-by-step information:
- Collect your instruments and supplies. You will have a brake jack, two jack stands, a lug wrench, a socket wrench with a 13mm socket, a C-clamp, and new brake pads.
- Security first! Park your automobile on a stage floor and have interaction the parking brake. Chock the entrance wheels to stop the automobile from rolling.
- Find the rear wheels. Use the brake jack to carry up the rear of the automobile and place two jack stands underneath the designated jack factors. Decrease the automobile onto the jack stands.
- Take away the rear wheels. Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels, then take away the wheels by hand.
- Find the brake caliper. The brake caliper is the big steel housing that holds the brake pads. It’s often positioned on the again of the wheel hub.
- Take away the brake caliper. Use the socket wrench with the 13mm socket to take away the 2 bolts that maintain the brake caliper in place. Rigorously carry the brake caliper off the rotor and help it with a bit of wire or bungee wire.
- Take away the outdated brake pads. The brake pads are held in place by two steel clips. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the clips off, then take away the outdated brake pads.
- Clear the brake caliper and rotor. Use a brake cleaner to wash any filth or particles from the brake caliper and rotor. This may assist be sure that the brand new brake pads make good contact with the surfaces.
- Set up the brand new brake pads. Place the brand new brake pads into the brake caliper. Be sure that the pads are correctly seated within the clips.
- Reinstall the brake caliper. Rigorously carry the brake caliper again onto the rotor and safe it with the 2 bolts. Tighten the bolts to the producer’s specs.
- Reinstall the wheels. Place the wheels again on the wheel hubs and tighten the lug nuts by hand. Decrease the automobile to the bottom and absolutely tighten the lug nuts utilizing the lug wrench.
- Pump the brake pedal a number of instances. This may assist to seat the brand new brake pads and restore brake stress.
- Take a look at the brakes. Drive the automobile slowly at first and check the brakes to ensure they’re working correctly.
Folks Additionally Ask About The best way to Set up Rear Brake Pads
Do I would like any particular instruments to put in rear brake pads?
Sure, you will have a brake jack, two jack stands, a lug wrench, a socket wrench with a 13mm socket, a C-clamp, and new brake pads.
Can I set up rear brake pads by myself?
Sure, you possibly can set up rear brake pads by yourself with the fitting instruments and a bit little bit of mechanical data.
How lengthy does it take to put in rear brake pads?
It ought to take about an hour to put in rear brake pads, relying in your stage of expertise.
How usually ought to I change my rear brake pads?
Brake pads needs to be changed each 30,000 to 50,000 miles, relying in your driving habits.
