Free Automotive Repair Advice by Certified ASE Technicians
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. |
Also see:Additional "How to" Car Repair or Services
1.How to Replace Air Filter
2.How to Change a Cabin filter
3.How to Change Oil and Filter
4.How to Tune Up with Throttle Bore Service
5.How to Replace a Radiator
6.How to Replace Fuel Filter
7.How to Read Trouble Codes
8.How Filters Work
9.How to Replace Front Brake Pads
10.How to Replace Rear Brake Pads
ASK A CAR REPAIR QUESTION
GET AN ONLINE REPAIR MANUAL
FOR YOUR CAR - Get instant access to your vehicles drive belt routing, wiring diagrams, trouble code information and other available updates and
factory bulletins.
|