Undergoing your own brake replacement project requires careful planning and focus. After installing new pads and calipers, it is also essential that they bleed their system of air to ensure optimal functioning of both. Step one in this process should be loosening the caliper slider bolt. Make sure that one side at a time is addressed while monitoring brake fluid levels in your master cylinder.
Jack Up the Car
Assuming you already have your vehicle up on jack stands, the first step will be jacking and stabilizing it using jack stands. Please consult your car manual for instructions regarding where and how best to position jack stands. Once your jack stands are secure, loosen and remove the wheel to gain access to the brake assembly. Next, compress the caliper piston with a C-clamp or other similar device. Make sure not to rush this step and maintain steady pressure - this will ensure that it fits back into its bore smoothly while leaving enough space for new pads to be installed.
Remove the Wheel
Before removing or installing new brake pads on a car, always jack it up first and secure it to its jack stands. Wear eye protection and gloves as protection from chemicals or sharp objects. Be sure to have a 7mm Allen wrench ready before beginning to dismantle the caliper slider bolt; otherwise you risk hanging it on one or more of the brake lines and ruining its integrity. Use anti-seize lubricant to loosen lug nuts, but make sure to completely rinse off and clean the area prior to tightening them again. Once the wheel has been reinstalled, tighten all lug nuts according to manufacturer-specified torque specifications.
Remove the Brake Pads
Before beginning, ensure you have a receptacle for any brake fluid that might leak during this process (and trust me it will!). Park your car on an even surface with its parking brake engaged and engage wheel chocks if applicable to keep it from moving while working underneath it. Loosen the lug nuts before using an appropriate weight-rated jack to lift up the vehicle. Support it further using jack stands to increase safety. Remove the caliper mounting bolts and pry the caliper from its position on the brake rotor. If installing new pads, apply anti-squeal goop to their contact surfaces prior to assembly.
Remove the Caliper
Once the caliper has been removed, replacing brake pads should be straightforward. Check that the caliper guide pins and rubber dust covers are in good condition. If they become rusted, relubricate with brake fluid-specific grease from a parts store; typically these products come packaged individually for your use. After repairs, it is recommended to use thread-locking compound such as Loctite on all bolts that need tightening to protect them from vibration and heat, particularly those associated with the caliper guide pin bolts.
Install the New Caliper
Once the caliper has been taken out, hang it from the suspension with a bungee cord or wire to avoid strain on your brake lines. Some rotors come equipped with small screws on their sides that help them remain flush; remove these before installing a new rotor. As with the original, compress the piston of your new caliper using a C-clamp or other tool appropriate to your vehicle, before installing back onto the rotor and tightening with bottom caliper slide bolt to manufacturer specs. Reinstall the wheel and lug nuts carefully, taking special care to wear safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself against hazardous materials, sharp objects or chemical spills.
Install the Rotor
Once your caliper is freed up, it should slide off of the rotor with ease. However, before doing this, be sure to remove and clean out your brake line in order to ensure no dust or rust gets onto new pads or rotors. Use either a brake caliper piston tool or large C-clamp to compress the piston back into place so you can install new brake pads. Be careful not to pinch off rubber pin boots with any tools used on calipers and rotors, and tighten all bolts according to manufacturer specs before testing drive your car safely in an enclosed environment and pumping your brakes several times for best results.
Install the Brake Pads
New brake pads typically include retaining clips that snap securely into place, but if yours don't, try applying graphite-based grease that comes with your pads to each clip to secure them in place. While you have your caliper off, check for signs of wear or damage to other parts, such as guides and rubber boots. Listen for metal-on-metal contact that might indicate it has stopped functioning correctly or that could indicate its piston is stuck in its entirety. Before installing a caliper back into place, apply a small amount of grease on its retaining bolt ears and any loose metal shims. Also apply disc quiet paste directly onto the rotor as shown; this will help minimize noise later when stopping the car.
Install the Wheel
Once the wheel has been reinstalled, use a wrench to tighten its lug nuts according to manufacturer's recommendations. Before installing new brake pads, check that the caliper pistons have fully retracted. Failure to retract when spinning the wheel could leave too close of proximity between pads and rotor and not enough lever throw for effective brake engagement. Before parking the car in a safe, level spot with its parking brake engaged and hazard lights activated for safety, be sure to place jack stands and jacks safely within a well-lit area, providing enough room to work on its front wheels.
