Can Brake Pads Be Replaced by Yourself?
3 Answers
Brake pads can be replaced by yourself. The steps to replace brake pads are as follows: 1. Lift the car and remove the tire to replace the brake pads; 2. Remove the screws of the brake caliper, lift the brake caliper, and take out the old brake pads; 3. Push the brake piston back in and install the new brake pads; 4. Reinstall the brake caliper, tighten the caliper screws to the required torque (do not over-tighten), and then reinstall the tire. After replacing the brake pads, you need to press the brake pedal several times to eliminate the gap between the brake pads and the brake disc, allowing the brake piston to reset. Then, check if the brake fluid pump is functioning properly. If everything is confirmed to be correct, the replacement is complete. Newly replaced brake pads require a break-in period of approximately 200 kilometers. Only after this break-in period can they perform their braking function more effectively.
Last time I changed the brake pads myself, and I feel it depends on experience. If you have some basic car repair knowledge and strong hands-on skills, you can definitely do it yourself. But you need to prepare professional tools like a jack and torque wrench, and be careful not to kink the brake fluid hose. The most troublesome part is removing and installing the caliper pins—if they're rusted, it can take half a day to deal with. After changing them, you must pump the brakes a few times to bleed the air, otherwise the first brake won’t hold, which is especially dangerous. Remember to take a photo of the thickness of the old brake pads so you’ll know when to change them next time. If you’re not confident, it’s better to spend 200 bucks and go to a repair shop—safety first.
For tasks like changing brake pads, I'd advise beginners not to force it. Although online tutorials make it look simple, you might get stuck when you realize you don't have all the necessary tools. You need special retraction tools to push the pistons back - doing this wrong can damage the calipers. You don't save much money doing it yourself, as a set of tools costs several hundred, while repair shops only charge labor fees for OEM pad replacement. The worst is finishing installation only to hear strange noises or experience soft brakes, making you nervous on the road. Last time my neighbor did it himself, brake fluid leaked everywhere and the ABS pump burned out, costing him an extra 4,000 yuan instead.
