Wear assessment and replacement of brake pads. How to replace brake pads in a car

Any car. It is with the help of them that the speed is reduced and the vehicle stops. Brake pads are one of the most significant elements that directly affect the safety of the car. But, like any other part, sooner or later they wear out and become unsuitable for further use.

In this case, they must be urgently changed. And today we will look at how to properly change the brake pads with your own hands.

What affects wear?

To begin with, we note a couple of significant factors that reduce the service life of these parts in a car:

1. Company manufacturer. Most often, it is dishonesty and the desire to earn more money that pushes manufacturers to produce low-quality pads. Therefore, when choosing these spare parts, you should not be guided by the principle of greater savings, trusting your choice to unknown companies. Yes, brake pads of famous brands are many times more expensive. But on the other hand, overpaying for it, you will be sure of your safety.
2. Driving style. This is also a significant factor affecting the life of the brake pads. Parts wear out much faster if the driver uses a sporty and aggressive driving style (especially in the city), trying to prove something to someone. At the same time, if instead of pads you brake with the engine, the resource of the elements can reach 80 thousand kilometers. But we'll talk about the resource, but for now let's look at how to change the brake pads with your own hands.

Cooking Tools

For a successful replacement, we need to prepare the following set:

1. Jack.
2. Lift support.
3. Standard wrench set.
4. "Balonnik".

Having prepared all the above tools, you can safely get to work.

Also note that this operation is divided into two stages. First, the front pads are replaced, and then the rear ones. Let's start with the first one.

How to change front brake pads?

Here we will consider the installation of parts on vehicles with drum brakes. First you need to remove the car from the handbrake, put stops under the wheels and jack up its front part. Next, you need to remove the brake hose from the mount and use a spray bottle (alternatively, you can use a key and a mount) to press the piston. Note that the brake fluid level may rise at this point.

Next, the bolt securing the caliper bracket is unscrewed. The penultimate detail is also removed. After that, the old pads are taken out, and new ones are installed in their place. The elements are assembled in the reverse order.

How to change rear brake pads?

Here we will also give an example of how the elements on the “drums” are dismantled and installed. Note that this operation is somewhat different from the previous one. So what should be done? To begin with, we put special stops under the wheels (now the front ones). It can be either a rubber brake “shoe”, or an ordinary brick or a piece of thick wood. The main thing is that the car rests its wheels on this object and does not go further.

How to change brake pads with your own hands next? At the next stage, we jack up the car, tear off the bolts and unscrew the wheels. Then take out the brake drum. To do this, unscrew the guide bushings. If this element is difficult to remove, we try to turn it 30-45 degrees and alternately tighten the guide bushings. Next, using pliers with narrow noses, we pull out the flat springs from the pads. After we take out the upper horizontal spring. This can be done with a large minus screwdriver.

How to change brake pads next? Now we take the block to the side and take out another, lower spring. To finally remove this part, remove the spacer plate and pull out the cotter pin from the handbrake rod. Then we take out the lever with springs and mount a new block in a regular place.

Features of replacement on cars with disc brakes

Here, in contrast to working with the drum system, we will need special pullers, which differ in type and marking for each model of the machine. So what needs to be done? First, the handbrake cable is loosened and the parking brake lever is released. Next, special pins are knocked out and the retaining spring is removed. After that, the pads themselves are removed. Further pistons are pushed into the cylinder and new brake pads are installed in place of the old ones. In this case, both sides of the gasket must be lubricated with a layer of silicone grease.

Completion of work

Upon completion of all work on both disk and drum cars, a check is made, and, if necessary, bleeding of the brakes. It is also important to check the brake fluid level before driving. If possible, add it to the required level.

About the resource

The service life of brake pads is ambiguous. Depending on the place of application (front or rear of the car), they serve from 20 to 50 thousand kilometers. And again, the resource depends on the build quality and the type of ride of the driver himself.

As for the first point, there were cases when, after 3-5 thousand kilometers of run, the upper friction layer of the pads simply crumbled and turned into powder. All that was left of them was a metal plate. If this problem is not noticed in time, this part will simply stick to the brake drum or disc. Then blocking the wheels is inevitable.

In general, it is necessary to control the wear of these elements not by mileage, but by the thickness of the remaining upper layer. All pads have special indicators - recesses. They just signal wear and tear. If the top layer has reached these beacons (as a rule, it is 1.5-2 mm thick from the plate), then the brake pads need to be changed.

How much does such a service cost at the service station?

Prices for such work in auto repair shops can reach 1 thousand rubles. But, as you can see, it is quite possible to perform such an operation on your own, without expensive tools and assistants.

So, we figured out how to change the brake pads with your own hands.

23.01.2013

In previous articles, we have already learned how often to change brakes, when to replace, how to check wear:

In this article, we will go directly to replacing the front brake pads.

So, for work we need:

• spray can;
• wd-40 - we use it wherever it is impossible to unscrew the fasteners;
• wrenches, box wrenches on "13";
• new set of brake pads;
• car jack;
• flat screwdriver.

Before starting work, be sure to put your car on a flat surface, put in first gear, put on the handbrake. On both sides, put “shoes” (halves of bricks) under the rear wheels.

How to remove front brake pads?

1. The very first thing to do is to loosen the wheel bolts on both sides, mind you: just LOOSEN!
2. We install the jack under the car and raise the front wheel (place the jack on a flat surface).
3. We completely unscrew the front wheel mount, remove the wheel.
4. For convenience, we completely turn the steering wheel towards the disassembled wheel: if the left wheel is removed, then we unscrew the steering wheel completely to the left side.
5. Pay attention to the figure: we take the key to 13 and unscrew this bolt, having previously bent (straightened) the counter-key. Do not lose the bolts, as will have to be installed back (It is worth noting that some manufacturers of brake pads put new fasteners in the box).
6. We open a barrel of brake fluid, using a syringe, pour a little liquid into a jar in order to leave a reserve in case the liquid rises up the level. If, however, the liquid is at the min level, which is very dangerous, then nothing needs to be drained.
7. We move the caliper (under the number 1 on the diagram) and get access to the pads.
8. Next, we need to push the brake piston back into the cylinder. Because as the pads wear, the piston is forced further and further out of the cylinder. To do this, we find an inspection hole (indicated by the number "A" in the diagram). Next, take a flat screwdriver and thread it into the inspection hole between the block and the brake piston. And we begin to move the piston back into the cylinder. Don't use too much force to move the piston, you need a steady amount of force and time.
9. We remove the fasteners of the brake hose, so as not to interfere.
10. We move the caliper.
11. We remove the brake pads.

How to install front brake pads?

1. We take new brake pads and put them tightly in the grooves to the brake disc: we rest the pads with the antennae against the stops and press them against the disc (look at the picture).
2. We close the caliper.
3. We twist our bolt and do not forget to bend the control washer.
4. Put the brake line back in place.
5. We put the wheel and twist the fasteners crosswise.
6. Add brake fluid to the barrel and close it.

Every car owner must understand that the proper operation of the brakes is a guarantee of the safety of the driver and passengers while driving. The correct operation of the brake system depends on many factors, but first of all, you should pay attention to the condition of the brake pads. The wear of the pads is determined by the rest of the friction part, that is, the material on the main part of the pads, with which they are pressed against the pancakes. This is the part that is prone to wear.

Brake pads are one of the most frequently worn parts of a car, so every motorist sooner or later must learn how to change brake pads without resorting to the help of specialists.

Front brake pads and rear brake pads must be changed in pairs, that is, it is not recommended to change them on one front wheel and leave the old ones on the other. Also with the rear wheels. This leads to destabilization of the car during braking.

The choice of brake pads for the car

Of course, the longer operation of the brake system depends on the correct choice of brake pads. Here you can not save and chase cheapness. Moreover, cheap low-quality pads can ruin brake discs, leaving dents on them when braking, and replacing brake discs is a more complicated and expensive process than replacing pads.

However, the high cost of these parts also does not guarantee quality. The best option is to visit the car manufacturer's website and find out exactly which pads were used to produce your car model. They will last longer than pads from other manufacturers, as the developers took into account all the structural features of the car and used the most suitable materials.

Preparing to change brake pads

Before you replace the pads with your own hands, you need to prepare a tool:

• car jack;
• balloon wrench for dismantling the wheel;
• pliers;
• a thin peak about ten centimeters long;
• large screwdriver.

In order to start replacing the brake pads, you need to fix the car with a parking brake or substitute some bar or brick under the wheel that will not allow the car to budge. Then you need to slightly raise the car with a jack and release the bolts on the wheel with a wheelbrace. You need to raise the car until the wheel touches the ground and does not turn when the bolts are loosened. After the bolts are released, you need to raise the car with a jack until the wheel is off the ground.

After that, the bolts are unscrewed with a balloon wrench, and the wheel is removed from the hub. Then, depending on the side on which the pads are changed, you need to unscrew the steering wheel in the right direction: if the replacement is made on the left, then to the right side, and if on the right, then to the left side.

Then you need to remove the locking cotter pins from the guide pins with pliers and knock the pins out of the seat with a lance. After you need to remove the springs, if they did not fall out when removing the fingers. Further, pressing on the moving part of the caliper with a large flat screwdriver, you need to increase the distance between the brake disc and the pads. From the resulting gap, you need to remove the old brake pads and install new ones in the same position.

To assemble this part of the brake system, you need to perform all these steps in reverse order.

Knowing how to replace the brake pads on one wheel, you can perform all of the above steps on the remaining wheels.

Important points in the pad replacement procedure

1. Before replacing pads, check the brake fluid reservoir. It does not need to be full to the eyeballs, because. when moving apart the moving parts of the caliper, the liquid may spill out, and this will damage the paint of the car.
2. Before lifting the car with a jack, it is necessary to open the driver's door window, because. when lifting, the body may move slightly, and this will prevent the door from opening.
3. Because when disassembling the brake pad convergence system, many small metal parts are formed, it will be prudent to use a magnet to store them and prevent the loss of any element.
4. In the seat of the guide pins, rust may accumulate, which will make it difficult to remove them, so you need to spray a special liquid there in advance.
5. When installing all the elements back, it is recommended to clean them of dirt and dust and spray them with graphite grease. This will facilitate the subsequent replacement of the brake pads.

Diagnostics of the work done

Before driving the car on the road after replacing the pads, it is necessary to perform some diagnostic steps. The first step is to inspect the pads and wheels visually to check that they are installed correctly and that there is no brake fluid leakage.

Then, sitting behind the wheel, you need to press the brake pedal several times until the pedal failure disappears. This is necessary to bring the pads to the brake discs. Now you need to check on the go how the car slows down. When braking, there should be no destabilization, i.e. during the braking distance, the car must move smoothly, without skidding in any direction.

The best test is acceleration and hard braking. It is recommended to carry out this check in an open area so as not to damage your car or the cars of other road users.

How often should brake pads be changed?

As mentioned earlier, riding on worn pads is unsafe for the driver and passengers, so the car owner himself must monitor their condition. Professionals recommend changing all four pairs of pads at once, but practice shows that the front pads, due to the greater load on them, wear out faster than the rear ones.

In modern cars, there are indicators that determine the wear of the pads and inform the driver about it. But, according to experts, any electronics can fail, and in this case it can lead to tragic results.

It is always best to check the wear of the brake pads yourself. To do this, having unscrewed the steering wheel in the right direction, you need to visually assess the rest of the friction part on the pads. This is enough to understand whether the pads are worn or not. Or you can contact the service.

As you can see, the procedure for replacing brake pads is quite simple, so, as they say, good luck!

Video

Replacing pads on a VAZ is as follows:

When choosing a new vehicle, many people pay special attention to such parameters of the active safety system as the number of airbags (Airbag), the presence of a stability control system, a lane departure warning system, and a number of others. But paying attention to seemingly very important car options, we forget to check the reliability of the most basic safety system - the reliability of the brakes.

The brakes are responsible for slowing down the car and bringing it to a complete stop. If your vehicle has a "healthy" brake system and you keep it in good working order (while not forgetting ours), then you may never need to use airbags or learn from your car's crumple zones firsthand.

HOW DOES A VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM WORK?

Let's take a quick look at how a car's braking system works. Most modern models are equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels, although some vehicles are still equipped with drum brakes on the rear wheels and disc brakes on the front (American version). When you step on the brake pedal in a vehicle equipped with disc brakes, a set of heat-resistant pads clamp onto the rotating brake rotor, using friction to slow the wheels, which eventually brings the car to a complete stop.

Over time, these pads wear out, reducing their ability to slow the vehicle down. That's why it's important to replace the pads exactly when it becomes necessary; however, you don't always need to go to a mechanic to fix your car's brakes. While repairs to the actual brake system are best left to the professionals, replacing brake pads is a type of job that you can do yourself at home.

In this article, we will discuss how to change brake pads, a fairly simple process that can save you a trip to the workshop. Read on to learn how to tell when it's time to switch to new pads.

WHEN TO CHANGE BRAKE PADS?

First of all, remember the following: it is very dangerous for your life and the lives of others to delay the replacement of brake pads. Since you regularly apply the brakes for more than one thousand kilometers, brake pads wear out gradually, their ability to stop the car gradually decreases. But how do you know when it's time to replace the pads?

Luckily, it's not that hard to tell if your car needs a little brake maintenance. Disc brakes usually include a part called a wear indicator. A wear indicator is a small piece of metal attached to a brake pad that comes into contact with the brake disc when the pad material has worn to a certain level. When you press the brake pedal and hear a loud screeching sound, know that the wear indicator is interacting with the brake disc. This noise is a signal that your car's brakes need to be inspected.

In other words, if the brakes are making a lot of noise, don't hesitate to fix the problem as soon as possible.

If you decide to tackle the problem yourself, then you should be aware of a few more signs of wear on your brakes. If the brake pads are badly worn, they can leave round marks or grooves on the brake discs. These marks, or scratches as they are commonly called, are very similar to the grooves on vinyl records and are a sign that the pads need to be replaced urgently. If the scratches on the discs are particularly deep - - the discs themselves may also need to be replaced. If the grooves are not too deep into the surface of the brake disc, you can work it on a polishing machine to give the disc a new, smooth surface. As a rule, grinding a set of brake discs costs much less than a complete replacement.

While you're inspecting the pads, it's a good idea to inspect the brake hoses for cracks and holes as well. If there is some kind of malfunction (or leak) in the brake hoses, the pressure in the brake system will gradually decrease and your car's brake system will not work properly - and sometimes this is fraught with a complete failure of the system. Be sure to also inspect all connections well. The brakes must be sealed at this end of the system so that you should not see drops of brake fluid next to the wheel. If you find a leak, try to find the source. Depending on your ability, you can either fix the leak yourself or seek professional help. In any case, fix the problem as soon as possible. Even a small leak in the hydraulic brake system can be very dangerous.

Your car's brake pads should last tens of thousands of miles, but that depends a lot on the specific vehicle and your driving style. The more you apply the brakes, the shorter the life of the brake pads. When it comes time to replace them, don't be afraid to do the repairs yourself.

PREPARING YOUR VEHICLE FOR BRAKE PADS REPLACEMENT

Brake repair, especially when it comes to changing brake pads, doesn't always mean demanding and hard work, but proper preparation can speed up the process and even make it safer. Let's talk about how to prepare your car for work.

Start by placing blocks under your car to secure it and prevent it from moving while you work on the brake pads. Then loosen (but don't completely remove) the nuts on the wheel you're about to change pads on, for example, as if you were about to change tires.

Then use the jack to raise the car and secure it. This step is very important. Replacing car wheels is a fairly quick procedure (which our article "") confirms, but replacing brake pads takes much longer. In addition, there is more of your body under the car when working with pads than when working with car tires. Keeping your vehicle as safe as possible is critical at this stage. After you have the car on the jacks, shake it a little. It will be much better if the car falls off the jacks now than in the process of replacing the pads themselves. Take care of your safety.

Now that the car is in the air (at the proper level of safety), unscrew the nuts all the way and remove the wheels. This will expose your vehicle's brake discs, brake calipers and brake pads.

So now your car is ready to go. But what do you need directly to replace the brake pads if you are at home? In the next part of our article, we will talk about the tools needed to do this job.

TOOLS FOR REPLACING BRAKE PADS

Brake repair tools, especially those used to replace brake pads, won't give you any extra headaches and require no special skills to use. In fact, they can be easily found in any (for example, on the website) or in a special department of your favorite hypermarket.

Here's a rundown of what you'll need and why:

* C-pipe - it is used to press down on the caliper set and push the piston all the way, resetting the brakes as soon as the new pads are in place. Note: Some vehicles require the use of a special brake caliper tool that retracts the caliper piston until it stops. Remember, before you start any repair work, it's never a bad idea to do a little research and find out exactly what tools are needed to perform a particular task on your vehicle.

* Wrench - in order to loosen the caliper bolts. You can choose the brand of wrenches yourself, but do not forget about the specifics of any vehicle.

* Wrench for wheel nuts - to remove the nuts that secure the wheel.

* Gloves - they are needed in order to protect your hands from chemicals and dirt that you may encounter during the procedure.

* Respirator and goggles - a mask is needed in order to prevent inhalation of brake dust, and goggles are needed to protect your eyes from small pieces of metal and chemical liquids during the direct work on replacing the pads.

* New brake pads - their purpose is obvious - to replace worn brake pads.

Many of you probably already have most of these automotive tools stored in your garage or work area. In other words, you don't need to be a professional mechanic to replace brake pads yourself. It should be noted that buying new pads will not cost you a pretty penny either. You can easily purchase a standard set at any auto parts store or online. Typically, prices range from $40 to $100.

REMOVING OLD BRAKE PADS

Now that your car is in the air and securely fixed, with all the tools at your fingertips, it's time to start doing what you intended to do from the very beginning: remove the old brake pads and replace them with new ones.

Let's quickly analyze where we are at the moment. The car is fixed in the air, the wheels and tires removed to expose the brake discs and calipers. To remove worn brake pads, we first need to remove the calipers. Use a wrench to loosen the caliper bolts that hold them in place, and then remove the bolts completely (or loosen as far as possible).

Once the bolts are removed, lift the calipers off the brake disc. They will still be attached to the car with brake pipes. The following information is very important - do not let the calipers hang on these tubes. This can lead to damage to the brake pipes, which, in turn, can lead to a malfunction of the brake system. Instead, attach the calipers to the nearest parts of the suspension with wire or wire. Make sure the brake lines are free to sag and are not pinched, kinked or in the path of any of the tools you will be using throughout the process.

Take a look at the brake disc, which is now not covered by the caliper. If the disc has deep scratches or gouges, you probably have there will be a desire to polish the surface or replace the discs with new ones. Remember that it's important to keep all the little things in mind when you're making repairs yourself, so you should either have a sander or new discs.

Now that you've removed the brake calipers, you can see the actual brake pads. They are usually held in place with studs or bolts, or sometimes both. Remove any type of hardware that holds the pads to the caliper and remove the pads.

Now inspect the pads. Do they look too worn? Are they relatively thin compared to the new pads you have purchased? If so, then you have made the right decision and it is time to install new ones.

So far everything is going great! Now that we've successfully removed the old pads, let's put in new ones and finish this little brake repair.

INSTALLING NEW BRAKE PADS

It's almost time to install new brake pads. But before you can do that, there's one more step to take. You must manually retract the caliper piston.

If you look at the inside of the caliper, you can see the barrel piston coming out - that part presses against the inside of the brake pad. You'll see that this piston has adjusted to the worn pads, so you'll need to reset it before the calipers, along with the new and thicker pads, are in place.

Before resetting the piston in the caliper, it would be a good idea to remove the cap that covers the brake fluid reservoir. If you do not, then you will have to fight with a significant amount of pressurized fluid.

Now that you've removed the reservoir cap, it's time for the C-pipe to come in handy. Place the end with the screw on the piston. If you like, you can use a small piece of bark to protect the surface of the piston. When you turn the end with the screw, the pipe will increase the pressure on the piston. Continue to tighten it until you are able to insert new pads into the caliper and install the caliper with new pads on the brake disc.

If you find that the piston does not resist retraction, do not apply pressure on it. You may be dealing with a caliper whose piston rotates when it straightens out. If so, then you will need a special tool that forces the piston back into the caliper. A brake caliper tool - a specially designed tool that allows you to reinstall this type of caliper piston - is available for purchase at almost every auto parts store. If you can't find it online, you can order this tool online, or if you're lucky, you can ask your neighbor if he has one lying around in his garage and he can lend it to you until the evening.

Once the brake caliper piston has been returned to its original position, you can close the brake fluid reservoir cap. Remember that it is best not to leave the reservoir open longer than circumstances warrant. Debris or even water can find its way into your car's hydraulic brake system. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs and retains water. Water in the brake lines leads to serious safety issues and a more difficult repair than the relatively simple brake pad replacement we're about to finish.

Installing new brake discs at this stage simply requires them to slip into place where the old ones used to be. If this process causes any difficulties and it is not easy for you to insert new pads with just your hands, you can gently help them with a mallet or rubber mallet. Then install the studs or bolts that held the previous pads in place and you're almost done.

Then, install the caliper in its place on the brake disc. Make sure it fits snugly and tighten the bolts that hold the caliper in place. Make sure everything is back in place, and then depress the brake pedal inside the car a few times to make sure everything is in order. You may need to press the pedal a few times to get all the brake components in place.

The rest of the repair is the simplest. Reinstall the wheel, tighten the nuts, lower the car to the ground using the same jacks. Be sure to fully tighten the wheel nuts when the vehicle is lowered to the ground.

Also, don't forget to take the car for a short test drive to make sure that the pad change job is completed successfully. Brake repair is one thing, making sure it's done properly is another.

And here is an entertaining video about what mistakes you can make when replacing brake pads.

The brake system is one of those that is used more often than others, and therefore, even at the design stage, it is given the closest attention. Manufacturers do their best to make it last as long as possible. But still, there comes a time when the brake pads need to be replaced. The wear rate depends on many factors: the type of gearbox, operating conditions, manufacturer, driving style, etc. The main thing is to remember that in no case should you hesitate. Not only your own life depends on it, but also the lives of those around you.

When to change?

Before you ask yourself how to replace or rear, you should determine for sure that this moment has come. How to do it? Yes, very simple. As a rule, they are equipped with a special wear sensor that starts to emit a nasty metallic screech when braking, which is almost impossible not to hear. In any case, it is necessary to carry out a periodic visual inspection of the brake pads. If their thickness has become less than 3 mm, and there is no screeching, you can safely proceed with the replacement.

Which ones to choose?

Before replacing brake pads, you need to decide on their choice. It is advisable to buy original parts, choosing them from special catalogs depending on the brand of car, year of manufacture, body type, etc., or purchase goods from well-known manufacturers. Otherwise, you can easily run into a fake.