Brake Replacement Tutorial
- 1). Park the vehicle on a level surface in a well-lit and ventilated work area. Lift the vehicle so at least one tire is high enough to be removed from the axle. Remove the tire using a lug wrench and expose the brake assembly located behind the tire.
- 2). Remove the old brake pads or shoes. Separate the disc brake caliper from the disc brake rotor. Pull the disc brake rotor off the axle. Have the rotor machined flat at an auto part store. Pull the drum brake cover off the axle and remove the brake shoes. Pull the drum brake assembly off the axle and have the inside of the drum machined flat at an auto part store.
- 3). Push the disc brake rotor or drum brake housing back onto the axle. Disc brake calipers have the pistons that push the brake pad onto the rotor depressed with a C-clamp to insert new brake pads. Squeeze the pistons into the caliper by slowly turning the C-clamp handle clockwise. Stop turning the clamp when there is enough room to fit both brake pads over the front and back of the rotor when the caliper is installed. Install two new brake shoes and spring per drum brake housing.
- 4). Replace the drum brake cover or tighten the disc brake caliper to the disc brake rotor. Fill the brake master cylinder with fluid and depress the brake pedal. Bleed the brakes using the bleeder valves located at each brake assembly. Disc brake bleeder valves will be located on each brake caliper and for drum brakes it is on the back of the drum brake housing where the brake line enters the assembly.
- 5). Fill the brake master cylinder and replace the wheel and lower the vehicle back to the ground. Test the brakes by driving the vehicle. Wear the brakes so that new pads or shoes are properly broken in or bedded properly.
