How to Replace Brake Pads

📋 Quick Facts

Brake pads are wear items. Most pads last 30,000-70,000 miles depending on driving style and pad compound. A DIY pad swap is a 60-90 minute job per axle and saves $150-300 vs. a shop.

🛠 What You'll Need

• New brake pads (correct part number for your vehicle) (brake pads on Amazon)
• Floor jack and jack stands (rated for your vehicle weight) (floor jack and jack stand kit on Amazon)
• C-clamp or brake caliper piston compressor (caliper piston compressor on Amazon)
• Metric socket and wrench set (10-19mm) (metric socket set on Amazon)
• Brake cleaner spray (brake cleaner spray on Amazon)
• Anti-squeal brake grease (caliper slide pin lube) (caliper grease on Amazon)

✅ Before You Start - Checklist

• Park on level, solid ground (no slopes, no soft dirt)
• Engine is at the correct temperature (cold or warm as specified)
• All tools and parts on hand BEFORE you begin
• Owner's manual nearby for torque specs and locations
• Safety: gloves, eye protection, hood propped open

📝 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Loosen lug nuts, then lift the carCrack each lug nut a half turn while the car is still on the ground. Then jack up one corner and place a jack stand under the chassis pinch weld. Never trust the jack alone.
2. Remove the wheelFully unscrew the lug nuts and pull the wheel straight off. Set it under the car as a backup safety in case the jack stand fails.
3. Inspect the rotor before disassemblyLook for deep grooves, hot spots (blue/purple discoloration), or a thick lip on the edge. Measure thickness with a caliper - compare to the minimum on the rotor hat. If under, replace the rotor too.
4. Remove the caliper bolts (usually 14mm or 17mm)Two slide-pin bolts on the back of the caliper. Hold the slide pin with one wrench and turn the bolt with another. Pull the caliper off the bracket.
5. Hang the caliper - DO NOT let it dangle by the hoseUse a bungee or zip-tie to hang it from the suspension. Letting it hang by the rubber brake hose can rupture the hose internally.
6. Slide the old pads out of the bracketThey usually pull straight out. Note the orientation of any anti-rattle clips or shims - the new pads need them in the same place.
7. Compress the caliper pistonPlace the C-clamp or piston tool against the piston and slowly compress it fully into the caliper. Open the brake fluid reservoir cap first - this pushes fluid back. Check that the reservoir does not overflow.
8. Clean the caliper bracket abutment clipsWire-brush rust off the surfaces where the pads sit. Apply a thin smear of caliper grease (NOT on the friction surface) to prevent squeal and pad sticking.
9. Install the new padsDrop the new pads into the bracket. Make sure any wear-indicator tab faces the rotor edge correctly (usually trailing edge). Transfer any shims.
10. Lube the slide pinsPull each slide pin out, wipe it clean, apply a thin layer of caliper grease to the smooth shaft. This prevents the caliper from sticking and uneven pad wear.
11. Reinstall the caliper and torque the boltsSlide the caliper back over the new pads and bracket. Torque the slide bolts to 25-30 ft-lb (check service info for your car).
12. Reinstall the wheel and lower the carHand-thread the lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the car. With weight on the wheel, torque the lugs to spec (typically 80-100 ft-lb).
13. Pump the brake pedal until firm BEFORE drivingCritical step. Press the pedal slowly 10-15 times until it feels firm. This brings the pistons back out against the new pads. Skipping this means no brakes on the first push.
14. Top off brake fluid if low, then bed in the padsDrive at 35 mph and do 6-8 firm (not panic) stops down to 5 mph without coming to a complete stop. Then drive normally for a few minutes to let pads cool. Avoid hard stops for the first 200 miles.

✅ After You Finish - Verify Checklist

• No tools left in the engine bay or under the car
• Test the system you worked on (start, drive, check, etc.)
• Look for leaks or drips after 5 minutes of running
• Record the date and mileage in your service log
• Recycle or properly dispose of any old parts/fluids

🔗 Related Guides

❓ Frequently Asked Questions