How To Repair / Brake Pads-1 / Brake Pads-2 / Brake Pads-3

Replacing Front Brake Pads and Rotors

Front brake pads provide up to 70% of vehicle stopping power. In general, front brake pads wear out twice as fast as rear brake pads, 2 to 1. Disc brakes have a definite braking power advantage over drum style brakes and performance is not compromised as much when wet. Some disc brakes utilize cooling fins in-between the braking surfaces to maximize cooling efficiency. Replacing brake discs can vary depending on the make and model of car or truck, two wheel or four wheel drive. Always replace brake rotors with top quality or OEM (original equipment manufacturer) brake rotors, some less expensive brake rotors can squeak and not dissipate heat as well because of there inferior metal quality. (Always wear protective safety goggles and gloves before work begins) (READ COMPLETELY BEFORE STARTING!)

Step 1 of 10. Identify Front Disc Brake Components

Most front disc brake components include: brake rotor, brake pads, brake caliper, caliper mount and brake flex hose. Brake service usual occurs between 20,000 and 40,000 miles depending on driver habits road conditions and brake pad material used.

Step 2 of 10. Remove Brake Caliper to Replace Pads

Locate primary caliper mounting bolts, apply wrench pressure counter clockwise to remove the bolt, upper and lower. Make sure the bolt threads are in good shape and replace if necessary.

Step 3 of 10. Remove Front Brake Caliper

After removing the primary caliper mounting bolts, lift the brake caliper tie or set gently to the side, be careful of the brake caliper flex hose not to bend or kink it. Thoroughly inspect brake caliper and brake hoses for leakage and replace as needed. Next loosen the brake pads and secondary caliper mounting bolts. Notice how great protective gloves work, most technicians use them on the job today.

Step 4 of 10. Remove Brake Pads

Remove brake pads, make sure if there is anti rattle hardware to transfer to the new brake pads.

Front Brake Parts

Purchase Front Brake Pad - Semi metallic brake pads are generally made copper, brass, and steel wool shavings held together in a resin. Ceramic pads are also available for high performance applications.

Purchase Front Brake Rotor - A brake disc is the rotating part of the braking system that contacts the brake pads. Heat and energy are transferred from the brake disc to the pads while provide friction to stop the car. Cross drill brake disc's help dissipate heat more efficiently under extreme driving conditions like long down grades or repeated hard accelerations and decelerations.

Purchase Front Brake Caliper - Brake calipers provide hydraulic pressure to the brake pads and apply friction to the brake rotor to slow the vehicle.

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