How to – Fit Disc Pads – Photo Illustrated

How to – Fit Disc Pads – Photo Illustrated

How to fit Disc Pads

It is required from time to time to replace front disc pads on our cars as it wears down, although it sounds daunting, here is how to fit disc pads photo illustrated.

Made easy by this step by step photo guide.

A typical front brake setup-discs-pads-calipers

#More on Car Brakes

Tools Needed

  • Jack (Bottle or Scissors)
  • 2 Axle Stands
  • A long Screwdriver
  • Correct size wrench for the Caliper Bolts
  • Rags
  • Old Paint Brush
  • Old Cardboard
  • Pair of thin gloves

Spare Parts Needed

  • 1 x set of disc pads specific to the car
  • Brake fluid for topping up

Bosch Brake Pads

Procedure

Park the car on a level, hard surface, such as a garage floor or concrete driveway, Engage the parking brake.

Jack the front of the car and place the axle stands firmly in position for safety support.

Jack The Car Up Safely

Loosen the front wheels.

Remove the wheels, unlock the steering and turn the wheel full lock to one side, so the brake calliper is exposed and easily reached.

Loosen Brake Caliper

Open the bonnet and locate the brake master cylinder, Remove the filler cap and place a clean cloth over the filler hole, this is to absorb the brake fluid that will be expunged when the brake calliper’s piston is forced back and prevent the brake fluid from leaking all over the vehicle.

NB, brake fluid will eat away at the paintwork of the car, so be extra careful not to spill any.

Cover Master Cylinder

Place a piece of old cardboard below your work area to catch all loose debris.

Push back the Caliper Pistons

Take a screwdriver or any appropriate lever and pry the disc pad away from the disc and toward the calliper’s piston. The calliper piston will move back gradually, continue applying pressure until the piston is all the way back. As you do this the brake fluid level will rise in the reservoir, hence the clean rag placed there.

Push Piston Back
Push Piston Back
Way Back
Way Back

Loosen the brake Caliper Bolts

Loosen Caliper Bolts
Loosen Caliper Bolts

Remove the calliper bolts.

Remove bolts
Remove bolts

Remove the calliper and tie it with cable ties, or a bungee cord out of the way, ensure that you do not damage the flexible brake hose attached to the calliper.

Remove Caliper
Remove Caliper

Check the calliper floating pins and ensure it moves freely.

Check Floating Pins
Check Floating Pins
Must Not Be Seized
Must Not Be Seized

Remove the worn Disc Pads

Remove Pads
Remove Pads

Brush away all loose brake dust and debris with an old paintbrush. Check the condition of the brake discs, replace if necessary.

Inner And Outer
Inner And Outer

Fit the new brake pads with the abrasive lining facing the brake discs

Fitting New Brake Pads
Fitting New Brake Pads
Check Alignment
Check Alignment

 

Re-Fit the Brake Caliper

Replace Brake Caliper
Replace Brake Caliper

Fit and tighten the calliper bolts by hand ensuring not to cross thread.

Fit Caliper Bolts
Fit Caliper Bolts

Tighten sufficiently with the appropriate size spanner. Hand-tight with a bite will be tight enough.

Tighten Caliper Bolts
Tighten Caliper Bolts

Pump Brake Pedal

Pump the brakes pedal repeatedly until the brake pedal is firm. You are now pumping the brake fluid back into the brake lines, that was pushed back when the calliper piston was forced back when removing the old brake pads.

Pump The Brake Pedal
Pump The Brake Pedal

Repeat the above procedure for the opposite side.

When completed, remove the rag covering the master cylinder filler hole, ensure the brake fluid level is at the max mark, if not top it up. Fit the filler cap securely.

Ensure Brake Reservoir Is Topped Up
Ensure Brake Reservoir Is Topped Up

Fit Wheels and Lower

Fit the wheels. lower the car to the ground and tighten the wheels appropriately with a wheel brace.

Replace The Wheels And Wheel Nuts
Replace The Wheels And Wheel Nuts

Test the brake pedal, ensuring that it is firm before you drive off.

Congratulations

You just completed fitting of new front disc brake pads.

How do we know when it is time to replace brake pads?

When you can hear a grinding sound coming from the wheels when applying brakes, or a light scraping sound while driving and/or the brake pedal is low or spongy.

Who replaced your car’s brake pads before? Comment in the section below.


Until Next Time “Safe Motoring”

Gary de La Cruz

Gary De La Cruz

I have been 30+ years in the motor industry, still hands on, and have great passion for my chosen profession, I learn new things each day and believe that "if you enjoy your work, you never have to work a day in your life"I believe in honesty, integrity and helping where help is needed.

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