Installing your own brakes requires careful preparation and attention to detail. Read the owner’s manual, gather necessary tools and replacement parts, and follow a step-by-step process. Seek professional help for major brake jobs.
For anyone who has considered replacing the brakes on the home vehicle, it is important to proceed with care. After all, the brakes on a car are essential operating equipment and the job has to be done right. Here are some things to keep in mind if you have decided to install your own brakes.
Before loosening the first nut, it is important that you read everything in your car’s owner’s manual regarding the brake system. You want to know in advance the specifications for disc brake types, the size of the brake shoes needed, and any special preparation that needs to be done before accessing the brake system. If you choose to collect and assimilate relevant information before you start installing your own brakes, you will avoid quite a bit of trouble while participating in this automotive project.
Then, gather the necessary tools to successfully install your own brakes. This will involve the car jack, chocks to fit behind the tires not near the brakes, and any hand tools needed to loosen lugs and other nuts and bolts in the process. Keep in mind that your hand tools can be linear, but you need metric tools for this job. Consult your owner’s manual for details on what type of nuts and bolts are used with your make and model.
Third, keep on hand the replacement parts you’ll need to install your own brakes. At the very least, you’ll need brake pads, shoes, and possibly a new brake rotor. You won’t actually know about the rotor until you’re in the brake system. Keep in mind that the brake rotors on many cars can be rotated once, allowing you to forgo replacement until next time.
Once you have all of your tools and replacement parts assembled, make sure the vehicle is on firm ground and jack up. There are two tasks you need to do before lifting the first wheel. Chock the other three wheels to prevent the car from rolling off the jack. Second, loosen the lug nuts before jacking up that section of the vehicle. Do not remove them at this time; just loosen them so they are easier to remove later. Once the rim is off, remove the lug nuts and remove the rim. You will now be able to see the status of your brakes and begin the process to install your own brakes.
Check for problems with hoses, fittings, and caliper. Be sure to check the brake pads on both sides of the brake disc. Also feel around the brake disc and note any grooves you can find. Once you are sure that the brake disc is still in good condition, remove the brake cylinder and place the cylinder on the disc brake. The unit will be somewhat heavy on most models and you need it to remain stationary while you replace pads and shoes. Keep in mind that the brake line is attached and you don’t want to damage it during the process when installing your own brakes.
Sliding on the old brake pads, check the master cylinder for signs of wear or leaks that could indicate a problem with the brake fluid. Hopefully, you won’t find any. At this point in the process to install your own brakes, take a moment and clean any dirt or debris from around the brakes. You can also take this opportunity to lubricate all contact points. At this time, you can install the new brake pads. This will be relatively easy on newer vehicles, as most of them just snap into place. This is also the opportunity to replace worn brake shoes if necessary. Usually there are just a couple of nuts holding them in place. Remove the nuts, clean the area behind the shoe, and replace with the new shoes.
From this point, it’s a matter of reversing your process and reassembling the components. Your last task in the process of installing your own brakes is to put the tire back on the vehicle, secure it with the lug nuts, and lower the jack mechanism. Remember to fully tighten the lug nuts once the vehicle is back on the ground. Repeat this process for each of the vehicle’s brakes.
Keep in mind that for major brake jobs that involve replacing the entire system, you may want to seek the services of a professional. Installing your own brakes is fine when it comes to spinning rotors and changing pads and shoes, but bigger problems require the expertise of an experienced mechanic. Understand your limits in the task of being able to install your own brakes and stick to them. That focus will translate into safe vehicle operation for you, your loved ones, and others on the road.
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