Can Brake Pads Be Replaced by Yourself?
3 Answers
Brake pads can be replaced by yourself. The method to replace brake pads is as follows: 1. Lift the car and remove the tire; 2. Unscrew the fixing screws on the brake caliper and remove the brake caliper; 3. Remove the old brake pads and push back the brake caliper piston; 4. Clean the installation bracket of the brake disc and install the new brake pads. The methods to determine whether brake pads need to be replaced are: 1. Observe that the thickness of the brake pads is only one-third of the original; 2. There is abnormal noise when lightly braking; 3. The braking response is slow, and the braking force becomes weak. Brake pads, also known as automotive brake linings, refer to the friction materials fixed on the brake drum or brake disc that rotates with the wheel.
As someone who frequently tinkers with cars, I believe changing brake pads is completely doable on my own. First, you need to prepare basic tools: a jack, jack stands, wrenches, and new brake pads. The replacement process isn't difficult: park the car securely and engage the handbrake, use the jack to lift the car and place jack stands for safety, remove the wheel, then take out the caliper mounting bolts and old pads, clean dust from the caliper and rotor surfaces, install the new pads, remember to apply special lubricant to the guide pins to prevent noise, and finally reinstall the caliper and wheel. The whole process takes about one to two hours and can save you a hundred or so in labor costs. But the key is to always test the brake response by pressing the pedal after the operation, ensuring no abnormalities before driving. Beginners can start with simpler maintenance tasks to avoid improper installation leading to brake delays - safety should always come first.
In my opinion, changing brake pads by yourself carries certain risks. When I help friends with car repairs, I always advise them to be cautious. The reason is that the braking system is critical to safety. If tools are incomplete or steps are incorrect—such as an unstable jack causing the vehicle to fall, or misaligned new pads leading to uneven wear—it not only wastes money but could also cause accidents. DIY requires studying tutorials specific to the vehicle model. For example, the steps for rear wheels on front-wheel-drive cars differ, and a torque wrench must be used to tighten bolts to standard specifications. Unless you have mechanical experience, I recommend spending a little money to visit a professional shop, especially since many platforms now offer convenient mobile services. It's not worth risking safety to save a few bucks.
