How to change rear brake pads

It's important to know when it's time to replace your rear brake pads. How to change rear brake pads you have disc brakes in the rear you can do damage to the discs if you wait too long. That being said, you don't need to replace your rear disc brake pads very often at all. Most of your braking is done with the front wheels, so the rears see very little action comparatively.

For cars with disc brakes, your braking system could comprise of a pair of brake discs, a pair of brake callipers, their calliper carriers, and a set of brake pads. The brake pads are located on either side of the brake disc via the calliper carrier. When you press the brake pedal, the piston s in the calliper move each brake pad against the brake disc, creating friction which slows down your vehicle. Because of this friction, which causes wear, your brake pads are a consumable part, and will need to be routinely replaced. You should have your brake pads checked every year or every 10, miles, but they will usually need replacing after 20, to 40, miles on average, depending on factors such as the quality of your brake pads, your driving habits, and the condition of other braking components.

How to change rear brake pads

Last Updated: January 11, Approved. This article was co-authored by Duston Maynes. Duston specializes in leading a team that handles a variety of automotive repairs including replacing spark plugs, front and rear brake pads, fuel pumps, car batteries, alternators, timing belts, and starter motors. RepairSmith offers in-home services to provide car owners convenient and complete auto repair everywhere. This article has been viewed , times. Changing your brake pads is a much cheaper option than taking it to a car shop, which can usually lead to an expensive fee for anyone. For the cost of materials, you'll be able to get your car stopping properly after following these steps. Please enter its make, model, and year below so that we can add support for it. Then, remove the wheel and the caliper to reveal the brake pads. Snap off the old brake pads and insert the new ones in the same position. If you want, you can spread anti-seize lubricant on the metal contact edges and on the back of the pads to prevent squeaking. Keep reading for advice from our Mechanic reviewer on bleeding the brakes and filling the brake reservoir. Did this summary help you? Yes No. Skip to Content.

Get all the news in your email. Supercheap Auto. That means more car owners are having a little trouble changing their rear brake pads.

Rear brake pads replacement is a straightforward job, and should take a home mechanic around an hour or so. They are installed in the brake calipers and are pushed against the discs by pistons, which are in turn moved by brake fluid that is pressurised via the master cylinder. Some cars have brake pad wear indicators, which illuminate a light on the dashboard when the pads have worn down to a set limit. But they're more common on the front brake pads, so the only way of telling how worn a pad is is to examine the level of fluid in the brake fluid reservoir or to take the wheel off and inspect the pad. Rear brake pads last longer than front pads because they're having to deal with less kinetic energy; there tends to be less weight over the rear axle and the rear brake discs on most cars are smaller than the front discs. As a result, you can expect the pads to last an average of 40,, on cars such as a Vauxhall Corsa or Mini.

Brake pads are pucks of high friction material glued or rivetted to a steel backing plate. They are installed in the brake callipers and squeezed against the brake discs by hydraulic pistons, which are moved by brake fluid that is forced against them by the master cylinder via your foot. At one time, many years ago, brake pads were made out of mostly asbestos, but because of cancer concerns, they no longer are. However, you should never clean brake dust off with compressed air because the friston material is still not anything you want in your lungs. Even carbon ceramic and metalic brake pads leave dust that will irritate your lungs and could do worse. Your car may have an electronic sensor and warning light for when the pad has worn down, or a metal tab that squeals, but many don't.

How to change rear brake pads

Last Updated: January 12, This article was co-authored by Ed Beery. With more than eight years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. This article has been viewed , times.

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Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site. Copyright Frenkit. Then, pull off the brake shoe springs, clips, and cable so you can pull off the old brake shoes. Check the caliper pressure. The first couple of turns are probably gonna be tight, but after that it's easy. You can simply tie the caliper out of the way with a cable tie. Next, unbolt the calliper and swing them free. I was able to reset the value from miles to minus 15, miles. It will also absorb moisture from the air, dangerously lowering its boiling point. I tried to reset the onboard computer OBC. If you try to compress the pistons while the actuators are pushing them out, you may cause damage. Place the drip tray under the wheel you are going to be working on. Remove wheel arch shrouding. You can now unscrew the wheel nuts or bolts and remove the wheel. User Name.

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Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter Subscribe You're all set! The new pads may squeak a bit, but if you should hear a grinding, metal-on-metal sound, you probably have the brake pads reversed i. On one hand, you may enjoy performance driving and demand all that the factory brakes have to offer. Matthew Wright has been a freelance writer and editor for over 10 years and an automotive repair professional for three decades specializing in European vintage vehicles. You know the deal. Last edited by clarkinc; at AM.. Follow Us. Fantastic- to the tee instructions. Co-authors: Remember the 14mm goes on top and 17mm on the bottom! No account yet? Find More Posts by Glim.