Replacing your front brake pads is a relatively simple procedure, and it's necessary that it be done from time-to-time. As brake pads wear, you will have a greater stopping distance. The wheels can actually lock up when brakes are severely worn. Worn-out pads also effect engine performance and pressure in the hydraulic system.
Loosen your lug nuts while the vehicle is still on the ground. Use your metal wheel chocks (basically a metal V shaped tool that holds wheels in place), to block the back tire and prevent the car from rolling backward. Use your hydraulic jack to jack up the front end and get the tires off the ground. Raise the vehicle until the jack stands fit under the front end, on their proper jacking points. Check the service manual for your vehicle to determine what the optimum jacking points are.
Let the hydraulic jack down slowly onto the jack stands. Make sure the stands are secure. Remove all lug nuts from the front wheel and remove the tires.
Check the brake pads (located within the brake caliper on either side of the rotor), for wear and heat damage. Also check the rotor (a large metal disc) for grooves and heat damage. Heat damage will look purple-to-black in color.
Remove the caliper bolts. The caliper is the part that is bolted in place at the top of the rotor. Use your ratchet and torque socket to remove the caliper bolts. Set the bolts aside. Check the caliper piston for leaks that could indicate a bad seal. Use your c-clamp to push the caliper piston back into the caliper. If the caliper bolts are corroded in place, use the propane torch to apply heat the bolts until they can be loosened. Use a breaker bar and torque socket to loosen the bolts as heat is applied. Once the bolts are loosened, use your ratchet and torque head socket to completely remove the bolts.
Remove the caliper, taking care not to let the caliper hang from the brake hose. Stressing the brake hose can damage it and cause leaks. Use a flat-tip screwdriver to move the pad keeper and remove the pads. Install the new pads in the same location as the old ones. Place the caliper, with pads installed, over the rotor. Line up the caliper bolt holes and tighten with torque socket and ratchet. Perform the same procedure on opposite wheel. If rotor is discolored, remove it before you install the calipers. Replace the discolored rotor with a new one. Put the wheels back on and screw the lug nuts in.
Use your hydraulic jack to lift the front end high enough to remove jack stands. Lower hydraulic jack slowly until car is on the ground. Tighten lug nuts with a lug wrench in a star pattern to service manual specs. This allows the wheels to seat evenly. Use the same procedure on both front-end wheels.
