The rear brake pads are a vital part of your automobile’s braking system, chargeable for slowing and stopping the automobile while you apply stress to the brake pedal. Over time, brake pads can put on down and develop into much less efficient, compromising your security and the efficiency of your automobile. Should you discover indicators of worn brake pads, resembling squealing or grinding noises when braking, it is essential to interchange them promptly to make sure optimum braking efficiency.
Changing rear brake pads is usually a comparatively easy process that may be accomplished at dwelling with the proper instruments and information. Nonetheless, it is necessary to method this restore with warning and comply with the correct steps to make sure the protection and effectiveness of your braking system. Earlier than you start, collect the mandatory instruments, together with a jack, jack stands, lug wrench, C-clamp, and a set of latest rear brake pads. Moreover, seek the advice of your automobile’s proprietor’s guide for particular directions and security precautions associated to your explicit make and mannequin.
To start, safely carry your automobile utilizing the jack and safe it on jack stands. Take away the lug nuts and detach the rear wheels. As soon as the wheels are eliminated, you will have entry to the brake calipers. Use a wrench to loosen the caliper bolts and punctiliously take away the caliper from the brake rotor. Subsequent, slide out the previous brake pads and insert the brand new ones into the caliper bracket. Guarantee the brand new pads are correctly positioned and aligned earlier than tightening the caliper bolts. Repeat this course of for the opposite rear wheel, and comply with the reverse steps to reassemble the wheels and decrease your automobile.
Varieties of Brake Rotors and Their Benefits
Plain Rotors
Plain rotors are probably the most primary sort of brake rotor. They’re manufactured from a single piece of forged iron and don’t have any slots or holes. Plain rotors are cheaper than different varieties of rotors, however additionally they have a shorter lifespan. They’re additionally extra susceptible to warping, which might result in brake judder.
Drilled Rotors
Drilled rotors have holes drilled into the floor of the rotor. These holes assist to dissipate warmth and scale back brake fade. Drilled rotors are costlier than plain rotors, however additionally they last more. They’re additionally much less susceptible to warping than plain rotors.
Slotted Rotors
Slotted rotors have slots minimize into the floor of the rotor. These slots assist to wipe away brake mud and particles. Slotted rotors are costlier than plain rotors, however additionally they last more. They’re additionally much less susceptible to warping than plain rotors.
Cross-Drilled and Slotted Rotors
Cross-drilled and slotted rotors have each holes and slots drilled into the floor of the rotor. These rotors provide one of the best of each worlds, offering each warmth dissipation and particles elimination. Cross-drilled and slotted rotors are the most costly sort of brake rotor, however additionally they final the longest. They’re additionally the least susceptible to warping.
Selecting the Proper Brake Rotors
The kind of brake rotors you select will rely in your driving habits and price range. Should you drive in a whole lot of stop-and-go site visitors, you have to rotors that may dissipate warmth nicely. Should you tow heavy masses or drive in hilly areas, you have to rotors which are sturdy and fewer susceptible to warping. If you’re on a price range, plain rotors are a very good choice. Nonetheless, if you’d like one of the best efficiency, cross-drilled and slotted rotors are the best way to go.
| Rotor Sort | Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Rotors | – Cheaper – Much less susceptible to warping |
– Shorter lifespan – Extra susceptible to brake fade |
| Drilled Rotors | – Higher warmth dissipation – Lowered brake fade – Longer lifespan |
– Costlier – Extra susceptible to warping |
| Slotted Rotors | – Higher particles elimination – Longer lifespan – Much less susceptible to warping |
– Costlier – Extra susceptible to warmth buildup |
| Cross-Drilled and Slotted Rotors | – Finest warmth dissipation – Finest particles elimination – Longest lifespan – Least susceptible to warping |
– Costliest |
Find out how to Set up Rear Brake Pads
Putting in rear brake pads is a comparatively easy course of that may be accomplished in about an hour with the proper instruments. This is a step-by-step information:
- Collect your instruments and supplies. You will want a brake jack, two jack stands, a lug wrench, a socket wrench with a 13mm socket, a C-clamp, and new brake pads.
- Security first! Park your automobile on a degree floor and have interaction the parking brake. Chock the entrance wheels to stop the automobile from rolling.
- Find the rear wheels. Use the brake jack to carry up the rear of the automobile and place two jack stands underneath the designated jack factors. Decrease the automobile onto the jack stands.
- Take away the rear wheels. Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels, then take away the wheels by hand.
- Find the brake caliper. The brake caliper is the massive metallic housing that holds the brake pads. It’s often positioned on the again of the wheel hub.
- Take away the brake caliper. Use the socket wrench with the 13mm socket to take away the 2 bolts that maintain the brake caliper in place. Rigorously carry the brake caliper off the rotor and help it with a chunk of wire or bungee twine.
- Take away the previous brake pads. The brake pads are held in place by two metallic clips. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the clips off, then take away the previous brake pads.
- Clear the brake caliper and rotor. Use a brake cleaner to scrub any filth or particles from the brake caliper and rotor. It will assist be sure that the brand new brake pads make good contact with the surfaces.
- Set up the brand new brake pads. Place the brand new brake pads into the brake caliper. Ensure that the pads are correctly seated within the clips.
- Reinstall the brake caliper. Rigorously carry the brake caliper again onto the rotor and safe it with the 2 bolts. Tighten the bolts to the producer’s specs.
- Reinstall the wheels. Place the wheels again on the wheel hubs and tighten the lug nuts by hand. Decrease the automobile to the bottom and absolutely tighten the lug nuts utilizing the lug wrench.
- Pump the brake pedal a number of instances. It will assist to seat the brand new brake pads and restore brake stress.
- Take a look at the brakes. Drive the automobile slowly at first and take a look at the brakes to verify they’re working correctly.
Folks Additionally Ask About Find out how to Set up Rear Brake Pads
Do I want any particular instruments to put in rear brake pads?
Sure, you have to a brake jack, two jack stands, a lug wrench, a socket wrench with a 13mm socket, a C-clamp, and new brake pads.
Can I set up rear brake pads by myself?
Sure, you’ll be able to set up rear brake pads by yourself with the proper instruments and somewhat little bit of mechanical information.
How lengthy does it take to put in rear brake pads?
It ought to take about an hour to put in rear brake pads, relying in your degree of expertise.
How typically ought to I exchange my rear brake pads?
Brake pads needs to be changed each 30,000 to 50,000 miles, relying in your driving habits.
