Every car wears down its brakes at some point, requiring the installation of new pads. Quite a few auto shops offer discount brake jobs, but you may not like idea of cheap brake pads on your car. You can install your own brake pads, and it requires fewer materials than you might think. You should already have several of the necessary items in your car, such as a jack and tire iron; look for the rest of the items at any auto parts store.
Place at least one wheel chock behind one of the rear tires before you get started. Wheel chocks prevent the car from rolling forward or backward while you work on the brakes.
An automobile jack allows you to raise your car enough to place stands underneath the axle. You likely already have a jack in the back of your car, beneath or beside the spare tire.
Place jack stands under the axle once you have elevated the car with the jack. Jack stands will prevent the car from slipping off the jack and falling.
A tire iron allows you to remove the lug nuts from the wheel. Most cars come equipped with a tire iron located somewhere near the spare tire. You can also purchase a large cross-shaped tire iron at an auto parts store if you do not wish to unpack the one inside your car.
An adjustable wrench or a socket wrench allows you to remove the bolts that hold the caliper bracket over the brake rotor.
Use a flat-blade screwdriver to remove the old brake pads. Gently insert the edge of the screwdriver below the brake pad, then gently pry it free.
You must hold down the brake piston while you change the pads. Compress the piston inside the cylinder, then attach the C-clamp and tighten it down to hold it in place.
Always have a flashlight or another light source handy so you can see what you do. Hold a flashlight in your free hand or even in your mouth to use it as needed.
Wearing gloves will help you avoid getting brake dust and grime all over your hands. Gloves will also help prevent you from cutting yourself on any of the metal surfaces.
You mist wipe down the wheel after you remove the old brake pad. Have some clean rags handy to clean up the area.
Once you have removed the old brake pads and cleaned the area around the wheel, you will need new brake pads to install in place of the old ones.
