Changing brake pads

[Notthemama1984]

How hard is it to change brake pads on a car? I need to get mine changed, but don't want to pay for someone else to do it if I can do it myself.

 

[Edward]

Really hard, if the car has drum brakes.

Do you have some vice grips?

 

[TimV]

Make and model!

 

[PuritanCovenanter]

If the car has all disc brakes it is easier. Drum brakes are made easier if you have the tool that is used to remove the springs and put them back on. You have to remember which springs go where on the drum brakes. Drum brakes are hard. If you know someone who has changed brakes before it is best to have them do it with you. Brakes are not something you should do willy nilly. It is vital that you also make sure you don't get air in the brake lines. I know how to do it without needing to bleed the brakes. But I have done them ever since I was a very young boy. I grew up with race cars in my Dad's garage.

 

[MMasztal]

Get thee to YouTube!! Type in your vehicle year make and model and you should get plenty of videos on how to change brake pads. I've done it to several vehicles and it isn't too difficult. Just be sure to tighten everything up properly with a torque wrench and make sure your discs/drums are not scored too badly.

 

[Notthemama1984]

2005 Hyundai Santa Fe

My mechanical abilities are limited.

 

[Repre5entYHWH]

i agree... if it is disk breaks do it yourself... google it and read a bit on it (will save you some pain)

if you have the rubber scrunchy looking boot on yours make sure you grease the pin (could save some pain down the road (breaking vibration)

 

[Edward]

My first comment was a joking test - drum brakes have shoes, not pads, so you really can't replace the pads on them.

Changing the pads on the Hyundai shouldn't be too difficult. Warning - I had a dealer shop trash an ABS sensor on a Nissan during what should have been a routine brake job. So be a bit mindful of that.

The hardest part will be bleeding the air out of the lines when you put things back together.

If the discs are scored, you'll probably need to take it to a professional. Should be able to see that after you pull the wheel but before you start taking things apart.

 

[Notthemama1984]

I had no clue you were joking, hence proving my mechanical abilities.

 

[Berean]

Deep waters, Boliver. I wouldn't try it. I stick to plugs, oil changes, filters, bulbs, etc. Protect your knuckles, and good luck.

 

[Notthemama1984]

I watched some vids on youtube and it looks super easy. Someone mentioned something about bleeding brakes, but the vids did not talk about bleeding them. Will I need to mess with the brake fluid if I am changing the pads?

---------- Post added at 04:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:01 PM ----------

Also do you really need a C clamp to push the piston in? What about just pliers or is the piston real tough?

 

[Rich Koster]

When you spread the caliper, you should keep an eye on the master cylinder that it does not overflow. This usually happens if fluid was added since the last brake job.

 

[Notthemama1984]

Is it the end of the world if it does overflow?

 

[PuritanCovenanter]

Yes, a C clamp does the job. Take the lid off of your brake fluid reservoir before you start using the C clamp. If you don't it will not be easy. I don't bleed my brakes because I just take the lid off of the reservoir and it seems to keep the air out. Guys use to open the bleeders when they used the C clamp. You don't need to open the bleeders if you just remove the fluid reservoir cap.

 

[jambo]

Whilst changing brake pads is not the most difficult aspect of car maintenance, I would be inclined not to do it if you are not sure. The brakes are the most important part of a car and better to pay someone who knows what they are doing rather than risk doing it yourself and regretting it later. Haynes manuals are excellent and I believe are available in the USA. That book and a socket set will save you a fortune. However anything to do with brakes is better left to those who know what they are doing.

 

[Andres]

I had no clue you were joking, hence proving my mechanical abilities.

in this case, you should probably just pay and let someone else do it. We sound like we are in the same boat.

 

[Rich Koster]

Is it the end of the world if it does overflow?

No, but it will eat the paint off of anything it touches.