How can I replace damaged brake pads of my car at home?

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[Jeremiah Mckenna](https://www.quora.com/profile/Jeremiah-Mckenna) Owner/operator/investor · Author has 1.1K answers and 5.5M answer views  ·  [7y](https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-replace-damaged-brake-pads-of-my-car-at-home/answer/Jeremiah-Mckenna) Jack up one wheel at a time, secure the car on a jack stand and remove the tire. Or, the better way is to jack up the front end or all four tires and secure the vehicle on four jack stands or ramps. Keep in mind that the front brakes will tend to wear out a lot sooner than the back brakes, so a visual inspection of the rear brakes could save you a lot of time and money if they don’t need to be replaced. Then remove the old brake pads and inspect the rotor or drum. If there are a lot of groves in the rotor or drum, then take them to a place that will turn them on a brake lathe. You can actually r Jack up one wheel at a time, secure the car on a jack stand and remove the tire. Or, the better way is to jack up the front end or all four tires and secure the vehicle on four jack stands or ramps. Keep in mind that the front brakes will tend to wear out a lot sooner than the back brakes, so a visual inspection of the rear brakes could save you a lot of time and money if they don’t need to be replaced. Then remove the old brake pads and inspect the rotor or drum. If there are a lot of groves in the rotor or drum, then take them to a place that will turn them on a brake lathe. You can actually replace the pads/shoes even if there are grooves in the rotor or drum, but it is not the best practice. If the rotor or drum is not able to be turned because it will fall out of specs at that point, you will need to replace them. Once you get your new rotor or drum, or they are turned and cleaned, replace them on the car, and then replace the brake pads or shoes. then mount the tire on the car, tighten the lug nuts on the car. After that, lower the car off of the jack stands and double check the tightness on the lug nuts. Test drive the car and make sure the brakes work. The actual process for removing/replacing the pads/shoes and inspecting or replacing the rotor/drum can be found on YouTube, or better practice is buying a vehicle specific repair manual. Replacing the brake parts/components is relatively simple, and can be performed by a novice in a few hours with a few basic hand tools. I’ve done it with a pair of vice grips, a screw driver, the jack and tools that came with the vehicle and a pair of needle nose pliers. In fact, I pretty much taught myself how to do it even before…. the internet and Google. Just remember, everything you take apart can be put back together, so if you mess it up, you can always call your local dealership, repair facility or even parts store, and someone there will assist you or get paid to replace the parts in their proper position. Related questions [How long does it take to replace front brake pads?](https://www.quora.com/How-long-does-it-take-to-replace-front-brake-pads) [How often should I replace my rear brake pads?](https://www.quora.com/How-often-should-I-replace-my-rear-brake-pads) [When should you replace rear brake pads?](https://www.quora.com/When-should-you-replace-rear-brake-pads) [Do car brake pads get old?](https://www.quora.com/Do-car-brake-pads-get-old) [When should I replace the brake pads of my car?](https://www.quora.com/When-should-I-replace-the-brake-pads-of-my-car) [Richard Ewald](https://www.quora.com/profile/Richard-Ewald-1) 50+ years in automotive. Technician, foreman, trainer, stud · Author has 1.9K answers and 5.4M answer views  ·  [7y](https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-replace-damaged-brake-pads-of-my-car-at-home/answer/Richard-Ewald-1) Well you will need a jack, jack stands\*, lug wrench, and whatever tools are necessary to remove and replace the pads. In addition in addition you will needs a tool to retract the caliper piston. On some car a screw driver will do this. On others a giant pair of channel locks and some cars ( usually on the rears) require a special tool that screws the piston back into the calipers. Some cars with electric parking brakes or hybrids and EV require a scan tool to do a brake job. This assumes the rotors are in good shape. \*A set of jack stands is absolutely mandatory. Cars fall off jacks. Cars are he Well you will need a jack, jack stands\*, lug wrench, and whatever tools are necessary to remove and replace the pads. In addition in addition you will needs a tool to retract the caliper piston. On some car a screw driver will do this. On others a giant pair of channel locks and some cars ( usually on the rears) require a special tool that screws the piston back into the calipers. Some cars with electric parking brakes or hybrids and EV require a scan tool to do a brake job. This assumes the rotors are in good shape. \*A set of jack stands is absolutely mandatory. Cars fall off jacks. Cars are heavy and have killed people by falling on them. Don’t even think about this job without putting the weight of the car on the stands then tugging, pulling, pushing, and wiggling the car while standing next to it. If you screwed up the placement you want to fall before you have parts of your body in the way. I know car repair better than you do and believe me I do this without fail every single time I raise a car up. [John Measday](https://www.quora.com/profile/John-Measday) Author has 1K answers and 642.5K answer views  ·  [7y](https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-replace-damaged-brake-pads-of-my-car-at-home/answer/John-Measday) Brake Pads generally do not get damaged, they wear down over a period of time. So by the terminology of your question you should take your car to a shop. However if the pads are worn they can be replaced at home providing you are able to examine the other components to ascertain that they are working. Are the rotors worn, grooved or warped ? Do the caliper pistons retract easily. Any slide pins siezed ? Basic tools are gernerally all that is required. It is having the know how and confidence to do the work [Fred Talbot](https://www.quora.com/profile/Fred-Talbot-2) Author has 414 answers and 824.2K answer views  ·  [6y](https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-replace-damaged-brake-pads-of-my-car-at-home/answer/Fred-Talbot-2) Replacing brake pads is quite easy. All the tools you need are easy to get. Watch my video and the rest of my brakes playlist. The only difference with front brakes is that it is not necessary to turn the pistons back in, you can simply push them. Related questions [When replacing brake pads is it necessary to replace rotors?](https://www.quora.com/When-replacing-brake-pads-is-it-necessary-to-replace-rotors) [What is the cost to change brake pads?](https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-cost-to-change-brake-pads) [How do you replace the brake pads on a sedan?](https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-replace-the-brake-pads-on-a-sedan) [Do expensive brake pads improve a car’s braking system?](https://www.quora.com/Do-expensive-brake-pads-improve-a-car-s-braking-system) [How do you keep brake pads from backing out?](https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-keep-brake-pads-from-backing-out) [Geoffrey Lance Jenkins](https://www.quora.com/profile/Geoffrey-Lance-Jenkins) Works at Retirement · Author has 674 answers and 548.4K answer views  ·  [7y](https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-replace-damaged-brake-pads-of-my-car-at-home/answer/Geoffrey-Lance-Jenkins) Buy a hydraulic jack and jack stands,hand tools,the appropriate caliper pin tool to remove them,brake clamp retractor tool,rear disc pad retractor tool as well,on the rear calipers you might to screw them in,you may also have to replace the rotors as well, [Wietse Terpstra](https://www.quora.com/profile/Wietse-Terpstra) Former Worked as Truck Mechanic for 20 Years. · Author has 1.2K answers and 1.2M answer views  ·  [7y](https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-replace-damaged-brake-pads-of-my-car-at-home/answer/Wietse-Terpstra) Replacing the brakepads on the front is easy, unless there is a piston stuck or the saddle that contains the pads wont slide anymore, then often brute force is required and if you don’t know how far you can go in this leave it to the experts, replacing brakepads at the rear is also easy although it sometimes requires special tools to reset the handbrake. [Edward Schwartz](https://www.quora.com/profile/Edward-Schwartz-3) B.A. in Psychology & Management Science, Kean University (Graduated 1976) · Author has 7.8K answers and 12M answer views  ·  [7y](https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-replace-damaged-brake-pads-of-my-car-at-home/answer/Edward-Schwartz-3) First get a repair manual for you car at the auto store. Without instruction, you'll be lost. I can't go thru the entire process because every car is different, and you need pictures and specific instructions in order to do the job and not break anything. If it looks like a job you can handle, and have or are willing to buy the tools you need, go for it. Fast Eddie fixing and breaking cars for over 50 years. [Buzz Davies](https://www.quora.com/profile/Buzz-Davies) Former I Have Been Inside a Nuclear Reactor. · Author has 911 answers and 1M answer views  ·  [6mo](https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-replace-damaged-brake-pads-of-my-car-at-home/answer/Buzz-Davies) You need applicable tools and the knowledge of how to use them in order to replace your brakes. Of course, if you don’t know what you are doing, you could put them together wrong and not have them work properly and that could ruin your whole day! [James Bigham](https://www.quora.com/profile/James-Bigham-1) Former Mechanic at Ford New Holland (1998–1999) · Author has 462 answers and 496.2K answer views  ·  [7y](https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-replace-damaged-brake-pads-of-my-car-at-home/answer/James-Bigham-1) You would first need to get a repair manual to properly instruct you of the steps it takes to do such jobs! You would also need to acquire the proper tools such has hand tools, lifting and supporting tools that are listed in the front of the manual and follow all safety procedures detailed in the manual also! [Manny Cader](https://www.quora.com/profile/Manny-Cader) Studied Engineering at University of Bolton  ·  [7y](https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-replace-damaged-brake-pads-of-my-car-at-home/answer/Manny-Cader) Take the wheels off and you will see the brake calipers within which your brake pads are held. Look on YouTube you will find many video hides, possibly even specific to your car. Generally speaking, it's the same procedure for all cars. Related How do you change brake pads on a vehicle? [Brian Alan Whatcott](https://www.quora.com/profile/Brian-Alan-Whatcott) owned a Jaguar E-type (XKE) and an MGA in a former life · Author has 6.7K answers and 8.8M answer views  ·  [3y](https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-change-brake-pads-on-a-vehicle/answer/Brian-Alan-Whatcott) Jack up the car near the wheel of interest. Place a safety stand near this wheel too. Remove wheel. Remove one bolt holiding the brake caliper. Loosen the other caliper bolt. Swing the caliper with worn pads out. Remove pins or clips securing pads in place. Expand the distance between brake cylinder and the opposite side which may or may not hold another ram/cylinder. Clean work area. Place new pad, applying any provided anti-squeal goo or spring. Place second pad securing both with pins or clips. Rotate the brake caliper closed, and tighten bolts, torquing to the specified torque limit, or lacking Jack up the car near the wheel of interest. Place a safety stand near this wheel too. Remove wheel. Remove one bolt holiding the brake caliper. Loosen the other caliper bolt. Swing the caliper with worn pads out. Remove pins or clips securing pads in place. Expand the distance between brake cylinder and the opposite side which may or may not hold another ram/cylinder. Clean work area. Place new pad, applying any provided anti-squeal goo or spring. Place second pad securing both with pins or clips. Rotate the brake caliper closed, and tighten bolts, torquing to the specified torque limit, or lacking this; as tight as possible. Remove jack stand, let jack down. Repeat as necessary. Related How do you change your brake pads? [Mike Bisco](https://www.quora.com/profile/Mike-Bisco) Construction at Universal Remodeling (2000–present)  ·  [4y](https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-change-your-brake-pads/answer/Mike-Bisco?no_redirect=1) first pads are way easier than shoes. and for me the hardest part is taking the tires off,i never could exp.anything quick and ill be writing for ever,but if u are mechanically inclined you could accomplish it easy remember to take off the brake fluid cap so when push the calipers in with a C-clamp to fit the new pads on it's easier its a rule.just one tip incase u dont see it on utube.push them in slow sonu dont get any air in the lines,and at the end make sure u fill ure brake fluid and put the cap on and pump the new pads against the rotors before u take of with the car and even then keep p first pads are way easier than shoes. and for me the hardest part is taking the tires off,i never could exp.anything quick and ill be writing for ever,but if u are mechanically inclined you could accomplish it easy remember to take off the brake fluid cap so when push the calipers in with a C-clamp to fit the new pads on it's easier its a rule.just one tip incase u dont see it on utube.push them in slow sonu dont get any air in the lines,and at the end make sure u fill ure brake fluid and put the cap on and pump the new pads against the rotors before u take of with the car and even then keep pumping the breaks while u with no just idle when u take it for a test drive or u might have no breaks for a couple seconds just another tip.utub should explain sll this but them things inwanted u to know its alit easier then it sounds like i said i could never exp.things easy so with that said go to utube u vould probably even find the kind of car ure working on if not there all basically the same and alot if times u dont have to bleed them if the pedal is spongy ir goes to the ground when ure done and it dont fix when unpymp the breaks up u need to bleed them so just lncase soray wd40 and tape the tit thing where u put the break fluid in so its easier to losen them but 8 times out of ten i never do.gd.luck again its easier then it sounds alot easier. Related How difficult is it to replace your car's brake pads? [John Smith](https://www.quora.com/profile/John-Smith-12372) Former Auto Body & Paint Professional (2001–2006) · Author has 449 answers and 8.4M answer views  ·  [Updated 4y](https://www.quora.com/How-difficult-is-it-to-replace-your-cars-brake-pads/answer/John-Smith-12372?no_redirect=1) Disc or Drum? The level of difficulty depends largely on your mechanical abilities and the tools that you have, but generally disc brake pads are easily replaced with basic tools. Drum brake pads are much more difficult and I do not recommend replacing them yourself without proper training, a brake kit, and a cleaning station. This is a life-or-death part, so for this reason I will address only di Disc or Drum? The level of difficulty depends largely on your mechanical abilities and the tools that you have, but generally disc brake pads are easily replaced with basic tools. Drum brake pads are much more difficult and I do not recommend replacing them yourself without proper training, a brake kit, and a cleaning station. This is a life-or-death part, so for this reason I will address only disc brake replacement. Assessment: Determining why your brakes need serviced can help you determine what level of servicing you need. If they are squealing, you may only need new pads. If the vehicle or the brake pedal has been shaking during braking (“Shake & Brake”), grinding, growling, or have declined in performance, you'll likely need to have the rotors turned (resurfaced) or replaced, in addition to new pads. If the vehicle pulls to one side while braking, but otherwise drives straight, you may need to replace the calipers or even the brake fluid lines or brake proportioning valve. In this case, I recommend taking your vehicle to a brake professional. Access & Tools: To remove the tire and safely prop the vehicle you need a jack, jack stands, and a lug wrench. For disc brake pad replacement, all it takes are a set of wrenches or a socket set, a torque wrench, and a clamp to depress the cylinder. I use gear wrenches. You want to use the box end of the wrench, not the open end, because rounding these fasteners will ruin your day. There are also wrenches called “line wrenches” that can be useful for brakes , particularly if you end up replacing a brake line, but you won’t need them for your average pad replacement job. If your fasteners do not loosen easily, use penetrating oil, but try to keep it from getting all over. You’ll also want to bring some dry rags and brake parts cleaner (like Brakleen). Always wear gloves and a NIOSH N-100 rated mask to avoid breathing brake dust. Older pads may contain asbestos, and although most newer pads are ceramic, working on brakes can be a dusty business and your lungs don’t need any of that inside of them. Inspection: Always inspect the disc rotors for wear, pitting, or cracking. If you’ve waited too long to replace the pads your rotors might have grooves worn into them. Take them off and have them turned (resurfaced) at a brake shop. If they have excessive pitting or even a single crack, replace them with new rotors. Inspect the brake lines for leaks, cracks, and dry rot. Replace any questionable parts. Again, your brakes are a life-or-death part, you do not want to find out about a bad brake line while headed downhill towing a trailer. Disassembly: To remove the pads, loosen or remove the caliper bolts as needed to free the caliper. Some vehicles have only the calipers holding the brake pads, these will typically slide off the rotor but may require some compression of the piston with the clamp. Heavier vehicles have brackets that act as guides for the pads. When you pull the caliper the pads will stay in the guides. Pull a pad out to use for compressing the piston. Slowly depress the cylinder using the old brake pad with the clamp. Support the caliper in a way that won’t allow it to pull on the brake line. I usually use a bungee cord. Installation: Install the new pad... 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