What should be paid attention to when replacing brake pads?
2 Answers
When replacing brake pads, the following points should be noted: 1. When replacing brake pads, be sure to polish the edges and corners. Normally, brake pad manufacturers will leave a beveled surface when leaving the factory, called a "chamfer." It is also necessary to polish the edge positions of the entire friction surface, a process known as noise matching. 2. After replacing the brake pads, try to avoid heavy braking and especially sudden braking. This is because the new brake pads and brake discs are not fully fitted at this time. Since the old brake pads and brake discs have left scratches, the newly replaced brake pads first need to adapt to the contact. The size of the contact area determines the effectiveness of the brake pads. 3. After replacing the new brake pads, be sure to run them in so that the brake pads can achieve a good fit with the brake discs as soon as possible to ensure braking performance. Generally, after replacing the brake pads, it takes at least 500km of thorough running-in to get the new brake pads into working condition. Before this, the speed should be appropriately controlled, and road conditions should be anticipated when driving on highways to prevent sudden braking, which could affect braking force.
Changing brake pads requires caution, and I don't dare to be careless. The first step is to choose a good parking spot—it must be on a flat, hard surface. Engage the parking brake and place rocks or wheel chocks under the wheels to prevent rolling. When using a jack to lift the car, locate the proper support points on the chassis. Once lifted, immediately place jack stands to stabilize the vehicle and avoid sudden drops that could cause injury. Prepare wrenches, new brake pads, and gloves before starting. After removing the wheel, the brake caliper will be exposed. Remove the bolts and take out the old pads. I’ll check the thickness and smoothness of the brake rotors—if there are deep scratches or they’re too thin, replace them promptly to prevent reduced braking performance. Before installing the new pads, thoroughly clean the caliper and piston area to remove grease and dust. When inserting the new pads, make sure they’re not installed backward. Use a specialized tool to press the piston back into place for proper alignment. After reassembling the caliper and wheel, take a few low-speed test drives and gently apply the brakes to allow the system to break in. Don’t forget to check the brake fluid—the level might be slightly high after installing new pads, so avoid overflow. When selecting pads, don’t just go for the cheapest option; brand-name products are more durable. Once you master this job, you’ll save on repair costs and feel a sense of accomplishment.
