The rear brake pads are an integral part of your car’s braking system, accountable for slowing and stopping the car if you apply strain to the brake pedal. Over time, brake pads can put on down and change into much less efficient, compromising your security and the efficiency of your car. Should you discover indicators of worn brake pads, equivalent to squealing or grinding noises when braking, it is essential to interchange them promptly to make sure optimum braking efficiency.
Changing rear brake pads is usually a comparatively simple process that may be accomplished at dwelling with the appropriate instruments and information. Nonetheless, it is vital 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 Subsequent, slide out the outdated brake pads and insert the brand new ones into the caliper bracket.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.
Sorts of Brake Rotors and Their Benefits
Plain Rotors
Plain rotors are probably the most fundamental sort of brake rotor. They’re product of a single piece of forged iron and don’t have any slots or holes. Plain rotors are inexpensive than different forms of rotors, however in addition they have a shorter lifespan. They’re additionally extra susceptible to warping, which might 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 in addition they last more. They’re additionally much less susceptible to warping than plain rotors.
Slotted Rotors
Slotted rotors have slots reduce into the floor of the rotor. These slots assist to wipe away brake mud and particles. Slotted rotors are costlier than plain rotors, however in addition they last more. They’re additionally much less susceptible 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 provide the most effective of each worlds, offering each warmth dissipation and particles removing. Cross-drilled and slotted rotors are the costliest sort of brake rotor, however in addition they final the longest. They’re additionally the least susceptible to warping.
Selecting the Proper Brake Rotors
The kind of brake rotors you select will rely in your driving habits and finances. Should you drive in a variety of stop-and-go visitors, you’ll need rotors that may dissipate warmth effectively. Should you tow heavy masses or drive in hilly areas, you’ll need rotors which might be sturdy and fewer susceptible to warping. In case you are on a finances, plain rotors are choice. Nonetheless, if you’d like the most effective efficiency, cross-drilled and slotted rotors are the best way to go.
| Rotor Sort | Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Rotors | – Inexpensive – Much less susceptible to warping |
– Shorter lifespan – Extra susceptible to brake fade |
| Drilled Rotors | – Higher warmth dissipation – Diminished brake fade – Longer lifespan |
– Costlier – Extra susceptible to warping |
| Slotted Rotors | – Higher particles removing – Longer lifespan – Much less susceptible to warping |
– Costlier – Extra susceptible to warmth buildup |
| Cross-Drilled and Slotted Rotors | – Greatest warmth dissipation – Greatest particles removing – Longest lifespan – Least susceptible to warping |
– Costliest |
Easy methods 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 appropriate instruments. This is a step-by-step information:
- Collect your instruments and supplies. You will have 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 forestall 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 below 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 steel 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 assist it with a chunk of wire or bungee twine.
- Take away the outdated brake pads. The brake pads are held in place by two steel clips. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the clips off, then take away the outdated brake pads.
- Clear the brake caliper and rotor. Use a brake cleaner to wash any dust 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. Ensure 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.
- Check the brakes. Drive the automobile slowly at first and take a look at the brakes to ensure they’re working correctly.
Folks Additionally Ask About Easy methods to Set up Rear Brake Pads
Do I would like 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 alone?
Sure, you possibly can set up rear brake pads by yourself with the appropriate instruments and a 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 usually ought to I exchange my rear brake pads?
Brake pads must be changed each 30,000 to 50,000 miles, relying in your driving habits.
