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How can brake shops charge so much to change your brakes when you can do it for free!!
- By Kylan Holt
- Published 11/3/2007
- Automotive
- Unrated
Kylan Holt
Hi there. I am young college student and father of one looking to enlighten the world with my seemingly vast knowledge of gadgets, sports, and general know-how. Let me know how I can be of service to you.
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Why do we, with our infinite wisdom, continue to be consumers? Why do we continue to go to mechanics for the simple things that we could do ourselves? Some things only a trained professional can tackle, but something as simple as changing brakes is something that can be done in less than an hour with the reward and satisfaction that you didn't have to pay anybody else to do it.
Changing breaks is an easy process. The only materials needed are you, a fresh, new pair of brakes, a crowbar (or necessary tool for your car's wheel), a jack, a thick, flat-head screwdriver, a socket wrench set, and about an hour or so (depending on how quick you work). Also, you should change breaks at the same time. It's not recommended that you change one wheel's brake pads and not the other wheel's on the opposite side of the car. Just a little side-note.
First, the car should be turned off and preferably on a flat surface, with the gear-select in (P)ark. Engage the parking (emergency) brake all the way until it can't be pulled anymore. Place the jack underneath the car about a foot away from the tire to ensure there is proper weight distribution throughout the car. The jack should be on the frame, not on the side-skirt or ground effect (as it will break it from the weight of the car). Go ahead and loosen the lug nuts as this will make removing them later that much easier. Once the lug nuts are loose, not off, raise the car using the jack until the tire is about an inch off the ground. Now, remove the lug nuts, and remove the tire.
Next, locate the brake caliper. It's a rectangular, 2-piece clamp containing the brake pads. There should be two hexagonal bolts on the back of the caliper. You only have to remove one of the bolts. Either one will work, but it is easier if you remove the
top bolt so that the caliper slides off the rotor and hangs down on the other bolt. Now, take your screwdriver and pop the calipers out and remove them from the caliper.
Now that the old brake pads are out take out the new brake pads and check to make sure that they are the right one for the right caliper. Even though they may seem identical, they are actually made different for each wheel. Just place them in place of the old pads and place the caliper back around them to make sure they fit. This may take a little trial and error to find the right one for the right caliper. Once you have found the combination for the right caliper, take your screwdriver and use your leverage to push the brake piston back into its recessed position. It may not need to be pressed back in, but some cars release the pressure and extend the piston out. There should be a hole in the top of the caliper which is just large enough for you to put the screwdriver in and use your leverage to move the caliper back.
Finally, now that the piston is back, replace the caliper around the brake pads and tighten the bolt back up that holds the caliper. Now, all you have to is replace the tire and tighten the lugs nuts back up to finish the process. That's one set done. Only one more to go.
Brakes are one of the many things that you can fix and maintain on your own with the only cost to you are materials. Changing brakes is such an easy process that you could probably do it as a side-job for all your friends and make a killing. Your prices would be a lot lower than any shop. And if you show them that you managed to do it to your car in less than an hour, they would be more trusting and willing to bring their car to your, than to any local or big-name shop in the area. Think about it. It's just an idea from one aspiring do-it-yourself guru to another.
That's my word. Thanks for reading. Don't forget to comment. I appreciate those.
Changing breaks is an easy process. The only materials needed are you, a fresh, new pair of brakes, a crowbar (or necessary tool for your car's wheel), a jack, a thick, flat-head screwdriver, a socket wrench set, and about an hour or so (depending on how quick you work). Also, you should change breaks at the same time. It's not recommended that you change one wheel's brake pads and not the other wheel's on the opposite side of the car. Just a little side-note.
First, the car should be turned off and preferably on a flat surface, with the gear-select in (P)ark. Engage the parking (emergency) brake all the way until it can't be pulled anymore. Place the jack underneath the car about a foot away from the tire to ensure there is proper weight distribution throughout the car. The jack should be on the frame, not on the side-skirt or ground effect (as it will break it from the weight of the car). Go ahead and loosen the lug nuts as this will make removing them later that much easier. Once the lug nuts are loose, not off, raise the car using the jack until the tire is about an inch off the ground. Now, remove the lug nuts, and remove the tire.
Next, locate the brake caliper. It's a rectangular, 2-piece clamp containing the brake pads. There should be two hexagonal bolts on the back of the caliper. You only have to remove one of the bolts. Either one will work, but it is easier if you remove the
Now that the old brake pads are out take out the new brake pads and check to make sure that they are the right one for the right caliper. Even though they may seem identical, they are actually made different for each wheel. Just place them in place of the old pads and place the caliper back around them to make sure they fit. This may take a little trial and error to find the right one for the right caliper. Once you have found the combination for the right caliper, take your screwdriver and use your leverage to push the brake piston back into its recessed position. It may not need to be pressed back in, but some cars release the pressure and extend the piston out. There should be a hole in the top of the caliper which is just large enough for you to put the screwdriver in and use your leverage to move the caliper back.
Finally, now that the piston is back, replace the caliper around the brake pads and tighten the bolt back up that holds the caliper. Now, all you have to is replace the tire and tighten the lugs nuts back up to finish the process. That's one set done. Only one more to go.
Brakes are one of the many things that you can fix and maintain on your own with the only cost to you are materials. Changing brakes is such an easy process that you could probably do it as a side-job for all your friends and make a killing. Your prices would be a lot lower than any shop. And if you show them that you managed to do it to your car in less than an hour, they would be more trusting and willing to bring their car to your, than to any local or big-name shop in the area. Think about it. It's just an idea from one aspiring do-it-yourself guru to another.
That's my word. Thanks for reading. Don't forget to comment. I appreciate those.