The rear brake pads are a vital part of your car’s braking system, chargeable for slowing and stopping the car whenever you apply strain to the brake pedal. Over time, brake pads can put on down and turn out to be much less efficient, compromising your security and the efficiency of your car. Should you discover indicators of worn brake pads, reminiscent of squealing or grinding noises when braking, it is essential to interchange them promptly to make sure optimum braking efficiency.
Changing rear brake pads generally is a comparatively simple job that may be accomplished at residence with the proper instruments and information. Nonetheless, it is necessary to strategy this restore with warning and observe the correct steps to make sure the security and effectiveness of your braking system. Earlier than you start, collect the required instruments, together with a jack, jack stands, lug wrench, C-clamp, and a set of latest rear brake pads. Moreover, seek the advice of your car’s proprietor’s guide for particular directions and security precautions associated to your explicit make and mannequin.
To start, safely elevate 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 thoroughly take away the caliper from the brake rotor. Subsequent, slide out the previous 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.
Varieties of Brake Rotors and Their Benefits
Plain Rotors
Plain rotors are probably the most primary kind of brake rotor. They’re manufactured from a single piece of forged iron and don’t have any slots or holes. Plain rotors are cheaper than different varieties of rotors, however additionally they have a shorter lifespan. They’re additionally extra liable to warping, which may 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 costlier than plain rotors, however additionally they last more. They’re additionally much less liable to warping than plain rotors.
Slotted Rotors
Slotted rotors have slots lower into the floor of the rotor. These slots assist to wipe away brake mud and particles. Slotted rotors are costlier than plain rotors, however additionally 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 supply the most effective of each worlds, offering each warmth dissipation and particles removing. Cross-drilled and slotted rotors are the most costly kind of brake rotor, however additionally 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 funds. Should you drive in a variety of stop-and-go visitors, you’ll need rotors that may dissipate warmth nicely. Should you tow heavy hundreds or drive in hilly areas, you’ll need rotors which are sturdy and fewer liable to warping. If you’re on a funds, plain rotors are a very good choice. Nonetheless, if you need the most effective efficiency, cross-drilled and slotted rotors are the way in which to go.
| Rotor Kind | Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Rotors | – Inexpensive – 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 |
– Most costly |
The 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 proper instruments. This is a step-by-step information:
- Collect your instruments and supplies. You’ll need 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 interact the parking brake. Chock the entrance wheels to stop the automobile from rolling.
- Find the rear wheels. Use the brake jack to elevate 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 metallic 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 elevate the brake caliper off the rotor and help it with a chunk of wire or bungee wire.
- Take away the previous brake pads. The brake pads are held in place by two metallic clips. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the clips off, then take away the previous brake pads.
- Clear the brake caliper and rotor. Use a brake cleaner to scrub any filth or particles from the brake caliper and rotor. This can 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. Guarantee that the pads are correctly seated within the clips.
- Reinstall the brake caliper. Rigorously elevate 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 totally tighten the lug nuts utilizing the lug wrench.
- Pump the brake pedal a number of occasions. This can assist to seat the brand new brake pads and restore brake strain.
- Take a look at the brakes. Drive the automobile slowly at first and take a look at the brakes to ensure they’re working correctly.
Individuals Additionally Ask About The way to Set up Rear Brake Pads
Do I want any particular instruments to put in rear brake pads?
Sure, you’ll need 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’ll be able to set up rear brake pads by yourself with the proper instruments and a little bit little bit of mechanical information.
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 typically ought to I substitute my rear brake pads?
Brake pads ought to be changed each 30,000 to 50,000 miles, relying in your driving habits.
