Replace Front Brake Pads and Rotors RWD
How to Replace Front Brake Pads and Rotors RWD
The front brake pads and
rotors are normal service items
on most cars. Besides removing the front wheels and visually inspecting the brake
pad lining thickness here are a handful of other signs you can look for indicating
that you might need new brake pads. If the
brake master cylinder
is low on fluid or your hear a squeaking
noise either when the brakes are applied or not while the car is in motion or
if you hear a grinding noise when
the brakes are operated the brake pads should be inspected. The main difference
between the front
brake pad replacement on a front wheel drive and rear wheel cars is the ability
to remove the front brake rotor. On most front wheel drive cars the rotor simply
slides off the bearing hub
after the removal of the
caliper mounting bracket.
Most rear wheel drive cars include the axle bearing hub assembly with the brake
rotor. This means when replacing the brake rotors you will need to remove the front
axle bearings. Anytime you need to service or replace brake rotors that involve
axle bearings (wheel bearings) you will need axle bearing grease. Also when replacing
the brake rotor on this type of car you should consider replace the grease seal
that press into the rear of the brake rotor. When new brake rotors are installed
a solvent or brake cleaner will be needed to remove the cosmoline (a rust preventative)
from the brake pad contact surface of the rotor. Most replacement brake rotors have
new axle bearing races already installed, but if they do not then the old bearing
races will need to be remove from the old brake rotors and reinstalled into the
new brake rotors. After the brake pad and rotor replacement has been completed it
is a good idea to bleed
the brake system free of any air bubbles trapped in the system. Some safety
precautions include never using compressed air to clean brake parts because of the
hazardous material brake pads are made of. Inhaling this material or getting it
on your skin can be hazardous. Always wear protective clothing, gloves, paint mask
and eyewear.
Before we begin start with the car on level ground with the emergency brake on and the engine off. Always lift the car by the manufactures recommended instructions and secure the car with jack stands.
Parts and Supplies Needed to Complete Replacement of Front Brake Pads and Rotors 1. Front brake pads with anti-rattle shims (if required) 2. Replacement front brake rotors 3. Front grease seals 4. Replacement cotter pins
5. Axle bearing grease 6. Shop towels 7. Brake fluid
Tools Needed to Complete this Job 1. Socket wrench set 2. Wrench Set
3. Screw driver set 4. Hammer (ballpeen) 5. Large set of channel locks 6. Large "C" clamp 7. Block of wood approx: 2x4x4 8. Large punch (if axle bearing races are not included in replacement rotors) 9. Lug wrench or breaker bar 10. Small chisel 11. Side cutters or dikes
Instructions Step 1 - Remove the wheel cover or hubcap to expose the lug nuts. Some cars have plastic covers that must be removed to access the lug nuts. (note: some cars have exposed lug nuts, if so you can skip this step) Step 2 - Using a lug wrench or breaker bar loosen the lug nuts one half turn. (note: wheel should still be on the ground) Step 3 - Open the car hood and loosen the brake master cylinder lid (note: do not remove lid completely) Step 4 - Jack the front of the car to lift it off the ground by following the manufactures instructions. Secure with jack stands for safety. Step 5 - Now finish removing the lug nuts and remove the wheel. Step 6 - Turn the front wheel to allow access to the caliper mounting bolts (you will need to turn the ignition key to the "on" position, do not start the engine) Step 7 - Remove the front caliper mounting bolts and remove the caliper. Secure the caliper with a tie wire or zip tie. Do not allow the caliper to hang on the brake flex hose. This could cause damage to the hose and failure could occur. Step 8 - Remove the caliper mounting plate bolts and remove mounting plate. Step 9 - Using a small chisel or channel locks remove the bearing dust cover. (note: some FWD cars have a detachable hub from the rotor in which case steps 9 through 25 can be skipped.) Step 10 - Next, take your side cutters and remove the cotter key and remove the wheel bearing retainer Step 11 - Using a pair of channel locks remove the wheel bearing retainer nut Step 12 - Tap one side of the brake rotor to pop the outer axle bearing and spacer washer from the brake rotor. Step 13 - Re-insert the axle retainer nut only and firmly slide the brake rotor from the axle to remove the inner axle bearing. Step 14 - Clean old grease from bearings and spindle. Step 15 - (note: Most replacement brake rotors come equipped with bearing races, if so you can skip to step 17, if not please proceed) Clean the grease from the old brake rotors, while supporting the brake rotor and using a punch and hammer to remove the old bearing races. Step 16 - Now install the bearing races into the new brake rotors, make sure the races are completely seated. Step 17 - Using the palm of your hand force bearing grease into the wheel bearing. This operation is commonly called, packing the bearings. Step 18 - Install a layer of grease to the inside of the brake rotor and install the bearings. Step 19 - Gently tap the new grease seal into place, using a block of wood can help this process. Step 20 - Apply a small portion of grease to the axle spindle. Step 21 - Reinstall the new brake rotor, sometimes the outer bearing will be forced out, simply reinstall the bearing once the rotor is secure. Step 22 - Reinstall the spacer washer with axle nut but do not tighten. Step 23 - Next, we need to set the axle bearing pre-load. This is done by allowing the bearing lash or play to be at the minimum. While tightening the axle bearing pull the brake rotor back and forth, you should feel "play" in the rotor. Tighten the axle bearing until all play is removed, do not over tighten. If an axle bearing is over tightened it will cause the axle bearing to fail prematurely. Step 24 - Reinstall the axle nut retainer and cotter key, bend the cotter key to hold in place and cut excess material if needed. Step 25 - Reinstall the axle bearing dust cap Step 26 - Reinstall the brake caliper mounting bracket. Step 27 - Using a C clamp or large channel lock force the caliper piston back into the caliper. Check the caliper dust boot and replace if torn or damaged. Step 28 - Service the brake caliper slides by cleaning and lubing the slide surface. Double check the operation by working the slides back and forth. This operation should be smooth without catching or stopping through the slide operation. Step 29 - Install the new brake pads and shims/mounting hardware if required into the brake caliper and caliper mounting bracket. Step 30 - Install anti rattle clips/plates if equipped. Step 31 - Remount the front brake caliper and reinstall the caliper mounting bolts. Step 32 - Repeat this operation for the opposite side. Step 33 - Once both front brake pads and rotors are replaced re-install the brake fluid reservoir lid or cap. Step 34 - Gently push the brake pedal down and release the brake pedal slowly and repeat until normal brake pedal operation resumes. Step 35 - Once normal brake pedal operation resumes double check all mounting bolts and brake pads installations. Step 36. Raise the car with the jack and remove the stands and lower the car and remove the jack. Step 37 - Finish tightening the lug nuts to manufacturers torque specs. Step 38 - Reinstall both front wheels and wheel covers (hub caps) if equipped. Before you test drive the car make sure the brake pedal operation is normal. Never operate a vehicle when normal brake pedal operation is not present and repair as needed. When first driving the car after any brake service listen for "out of the ordinary" noises coming from the brake system either while driving or applying the brakes. If irregular noises are observed stop operating the vehicle and repair as necessary.
Best Practices
Before we begin start with the car on level ground with the emergency brake on and the engine off. Always lift the car by the manufactures recommended instructions and secure the car with jack stands.
Parts and Supplies Needed to Complete Replacement of Front Brake Pads and Rotors 1. Front brake pads with anti-rattle shims (if required) 2. Replacement front brake rotors 3. Front grease seals 4. Replacement cotter pins
5. Axle bearing grease 6. Shop towels 7. Brake fluid
Tools Needed to Complete this Job 1. Socket wrench set 2. Wrench Set
3. Screw driver set 4. Hammer (ballpeen) 5. Large set of channel locks 6. Large "C" clamp 7. Block of wood approx: 2x4x4 8. Large punch (if axle bearing races are not included in replacement rotors) 9. Lug wrench or breaker bar 10. Small chisel 11. Side cutters or dikes
Instructions Step 1 - Remove the wheel cover or hubcap to expose the lug nuts. Some cars have plastic covers that must be removed to access the lug nuts. (note: some cars have exposed lug nuts, if so you can skip this step) Step 2 - Using a lug wrench or breaker bar loosen the lug nuts one half turn. (note: wheel should still be on the ground) Step 3 - Open the car hood and loosen the brake master cylinder lid (note: do not remove lid completely) Step 4 - Jack the front of the car to lift it off the ground by following the manufactures instructions. Secure with jack stands for safety. Step 5 - Now finish removing the lug nuts and remove the wheel. Step 6 - Turn the front wheel to allow access to the caliper mounting bolts (you will need to turn the ignition key to the "on" position, do not start the engine) Step 7 - Remove the front caliper mounting bolts and remove the caliper. Secure the caliper with a tie wire or zip tie. Do not allow the caliper to hang on the brake flex hose. This could cause damage to the hose and failure could occur. Step 8 - Remove the caliper mounting plate bolts and remove mounting plate. Step 9 - Using a small chisel or channel locks remove the bearing dust cover. (note: some FWD cars have a detachable hub from the rotor in which case steps 9 through 25 can be skipped.) Step 10 - Next, take your side cutters and remove the cotter key and remove the wheel bearing retainer Step 11 - Using a pair of channel locks remove the wheel bearing retainer nut Step 12 - Tap one side of the brake rotor to pop the outer axle bearing and spacer washer from the brake rotor. Step 13 - Re-insert the axle retainer nut only and firmly slide the brake rotor from the axle to remove the inner axle bearing. Step 14 - Clean old grease from bearings and spindle. Step 15 - (note: Most replacement brake rotors come equipped with bearing races, if so you can skip to step 17, if not please proceed) Clean the grease from the old brake rotors, while supporting the brake rotor and using a punch and hammer to remove the old bearing races. Step 16 - Now install the bearing races into the new brake rotors, make sure the races are completely seated. Step 17 - Using the palm of your hand force bearing grease into the wheel bearing. This operation is commonly called, packing the bearings. Step 18 - Install a layer of grease to the inside of the brake rotor and install the bearings. Step 19 - Gently tap the new grease seal into place, using a block of wood can help this process. Step 20 - Apply a small portion of grease to the axle spindle. Step 21 - Reinstall the new brake rotor, sometimes the outer bearing will be forced out, simply reinstall the bearing once the rotor is secure. Step 22 - Reinstall the spacer washer with axle nut but do not tighten. Step 23 - Next, we need to set the axle bearing pre-load. This is done by allowing the bearing lash or play to be at the minimum. While tightening the axle bearing pull the brake rotor back and forth, you should feel "play" in the rotor. Tighten the axle bearing until all play is removed, do not over tighten. If an axle bearing is over tightened it will cause the axle bearing to fail prematurely. Step 24 - Reinstall the axle nut retainer and cotter key, bend the cotter key to hold in place and cut excess material if needed. Step 25 - Reinstall the axle bearing dust cap Step 26 - Reinstall the brake caliper mounting bracket. Step 27 - Using a C clamp or large channel lock force the caliper piston back into the caliper. Check the caliper dust boot and replace if torn or damaged. Step 28 - Service the brake caliper slides by cleaning and lubing the slide surface. Double check the operation by working the slides back and forth. This operation should be smooth without catching or stopping through the slide operation. Step 29 - Install the new brake pads and shims/mounting hardware if required into the brake caliper and caliper mounting bracket. Step 30 - Install anti rattle clips/plates if equipped. Step 31 - Remount the front brake caliper and reinstall the caliper mounting bolts. Step 32 - Repeat this operation for the opposite side. Step 33 - Once both front brake pads and rotors are replaced re-install the brake fluid reservoir lid or cap. Step 34 - Gently push the brake pedal down and release the brake pedal slowly and repeat until normal brake pedal operation resumes. Step 35 - Once normal brake pedal operation resumes double check all mounting bolts and brake pads installations. Step 36. Raise the car with the jack and remove the stands and lower the car and remove the jack. Step 37 - Finish tightening the lug nuts to manufacturers torque specs. Step 38 - Reinstall both front wheels and wheel covers (hub caps) if equipped. Before you test drive the car make sure the brake pedal operation is normal. Never operate a vehicle when normal brake pedal operation is not present and repair as needed. When first driving the car after any brake service listen for "out of the ordinary" noises coming from the brake system either while driving or applying the brakes. If irregular noises are observed stop operating the vehicle and repair as necessary.
Best Practices
- Slide the tire under the car for added safety. (do not hit the jack stands with tire)
- Always perform brake replacements on one wheel at a time to avoid confusion
- It is a good practice to bleed the brake system when replacing brake components