With the right steps and tools, many DIY-minded car owners can replace their vehicle’s brake pads and rotors in as little as an afternoon in their own garage.
Like many parts on your vehicle, brake pads and rotors are consumable wear items that require periodic replacement. Replacing these items yourself can save you money and help build confidence as a DIY mechanic. The good news is that most modern brake systems follow a similar process and can be serviced in an afternoon, but you should always consult your vehicle’s service manual for torque specs and special procedures.
Determining if Your Brakes Need Service
For many vehicles, it becomes clear when it’s time to change your brake pads or rotors. Often, you’ll hear squealing or grinding. You might feel a vibration or pulsation in the brake pedal, or perhaps you find your vehicle pulling to one side or taking longer to stop. There are also systems in modern vehicles, such as a dashboard warning light, that can tell you your brakes need attention.
In some cases, you’ll be able to look directly at the pads through your wheels to check their thickness. Another trick is to look at the rotors themselves for grooves, significant rust, or discoloration. Many car owners prefer to replace both pads and rotors with each change, but it’s not always necessary if your rotors are in good condition. As you’re inspecting, don’t forget to check all four wheels, since you can sometimes have an issue with just one brake pad or caliper.
MORE: Why Do My Brakes Feel Spongy?
Tools You Need
To get started, you’ll need a few basic tools and supplies.
If you’re doing this job at home in your garage, you’ll need a floor jack and jack stands. You’ll also want wheel chocks to keep the vehicle from rolling once you lift it up. Work on a level surface and use the manufacturer’s recommended lifting points. Safety reminder: don’t put any body parts under the vehicle when supported only by a jack. For your hand tools, you’ll want a lug wrench or impact wrench, a ratchet and socket set, and a torque wrench. When compressing the caliper pistons, you’ll want a C-clamp or brake caliper tool, and perhaps even a wire brush.
As for supplies, you’ll need new brake pads and rotors, of course. These come in various grades and material choices, so research which style and price point you’ll need for the type of driving you expect to encounter. Many new brake rotors come precoated with a protective oil or finish, so you’ll need brake cleaner to remove the factory coating as directed by the manufacturer. Use the appropriate brake grease at metal-to-metal contact points to avoid squealing or squeaking. Safety reminder: Never put grease or other compounds on the friction surfaces of the brake pads or rotors.
Removing the Old Brake Pads
Once your vehicle is supported on jack stands with the wheel removed, you should have access to the brake caliper. The caliper is responsible for providing the clamping force that pushes your brake pads against the brake rotors when you put your foot on the brake pedal. This is achieved through hydraulic pressure from brake fluid. The first step is typically to remove the brake caliper from the brake rotor.
To begin, you’ll want to remove the slide pin bolts and carefully lift the caliper off the rotor. Once the caliper is free, support it with a bungee cord, zip ties, or a suitable hanger. Do not let the caliper’s weight pull on the flexible brake hose and damage it. With the pads accessible, remove the old hardware, including any clips or shims. This is a good time to check and ensure that your new pads and hardware are identical to the old ones.
Remove and Replace the Rotor
Once the caliper is free and out of the way, you can remove the caliper bracket in most cases. At this point, you should have full access to the old rotor, so you can remove it. If you see a retention screw holding the rotor in place, remove it as well. Check the hub for corrosion, and once the old rotor is removed, clean the hub surface (even a small amount of rust left behind can cause vibration later).
Before you put your new rotor on the hub, remove any protective oil with brake cleaner unless the rotor manufacturer specifies otherwise. Ensure a flush fit against the hub, install the new rotor, reinstall the retention screw (if applicable), and remount the caliper bracket using the specified torque.
Install New Brake Pads
Now it’s time to install your new brake pads. First, you can install your new hardware, such as clips and shims, and apply brake grease in appropriate locations. Once your new hardware is set up, you can install the new brake pads. Pro tip: Sometimes one brake pad has an indicator designed to be installed on a specific side; check your owner’s manual or refer to the old pad’s indicator location for your specific vehicle.
With all your hardware and new pads in place, you can reinstall the caliper. To get the caliper to fit correctly, you need to compress the caliper piston with a C-clamp or a specialized brake piston tool. Some rear calipers require a different tool or procedure, and vehicles with electronic parking brakes may need to be placed in service mode before work begins. Many experts recommend keeping an eye on the brake fluid reservoir as you push the piston in, since returning fluid can cause it to overflow if the reservoir is already full. Once the piston is out of the way and the caliper is in place, tighten all slide pin bolts to the specified torque. Use threadlocker if specified by the manufacturer.
Brake Bedding and Final Checks
Once you have completed reassembly, reinstalled your wheels, tightened the lug nuts to the specified torque, and returned the car to the ground, it’s time to check your brake pedal and begin the brake bedding process. Brake bedding is the process of transferring an even layer of friction material from your new pads onto the new rotors. This process is important and helpful because it helps ensure that your brakes maximize their stopping performance and service life through even wear.
For a basic bedding procedure, begin by making several moderate stops from low to medium speeds. It’s important to allow time to cool between stops so your rotors don’t overheat. After several low- to medium-speed stops, you’ll then proceed to make stops from higher speeds, if directed by the manufacturer. Once the bedding procedure is completed, allow the brakes time to cool before parking the vehicle.
Brake manufacturers may include specific bedding instructions depending on the type of pads or rotors, so be sure to follow them.
A Job Well Done
Replacing your own brake pads and rotors can be one of the most rewarding maintenance jobs that a DIY mechanic can tackle. I know it was an intimidating job for me, but I’m thankful I took the time to learn, and it gives me more confidence on the road knowing that the job was done correctly.
Most modern vehicles can be serviced in a home garage in a few hours with the right tools, attention to detail, and a little know-how. Learning how to do repairs correctly can help ensure better performance, longer component life, and ultimately greater confidence behind the wheel for many miles to come.
Visit Kelley Blue Book’s Car Maintenance Information Center to read curated articles to help you make smart maintenance decisions with confidence.
