If you need to replace brakes pads in your vehicle you may choose to run it down to the shop and sit and wait on someone to help you. Or you can learn to do it yourself so you can save yourself some money. You can do it with a little bit of planning and some tools. Here is a brief lesson in how to change brake pads.

Make a list of tools you will need before you get started. You will need a C-clamp, Allen wrenches, a lug wrench, a hammer and an open end or an adjustable wrench.

Ensure that you have the appropriate wrenches for the job - there are different sizes to fit each car so you will need to check which you need before you get started learning how to change brake pads.

To get ready to change your brake pads you will need to make sure all the right tools are at arms reach while you are working. You want to secure the car for your safety so make sure that it is up on a jack properly and the jack is on jack stands.

Once you have your wheel off look to check the condition of the brake discs. Sometimes these may need replacing too. While you are there you might as well look at the discs.

Next it is time to remove the brake caliper. Find the bolt located on the back of the caliper. To do this you will need to hold the caliper on the top and then pull upward. Try wiggling it so it will loosen up. Safely remove the caliper and set it down to the side.

Now it’s time to pull off the brake pad, but before you do look to see how everything is positioned so you can put it back the same way. If needed take a picture of it so you can put it back just as it was. You can use this as a reference in case your friends or family want to learn how to change brake pads.

The brakes pads should slide out easily, but if needed you can give them a simple tap of the hammer to loosen them up and slide out. Look out for those metal tabs that may be holding the brake pad on. You don’t want to lose them so make sure that you set them to the side and you can find them in a few minutes. Now put your new brake pads back in the slot that you took the old ones out of. When you are done with that, take a good look at your brake discs and everything else. Does it look okay? Then you can go on to the next step.

Because brakes get worn down the piston inside adjusts to the brake pads. So you will need to adjust the caliper to fit since you have changed brake pads. To do this you need to look up inside the caliper and find a round piston. Your goal is to push the piston back to its starting point. Take your C-clamp and place it against the piston. The other end should go around back of the caliper. Now you can tighten it up so that the piston is as far bas as it can and you can get the caliper back on where it belongs.

Replace all the bolts that you took off earlier and make sure that they are good and tight. Now it’s time to press the brake pedal several times to build up brake pressure. Then you can put the wheel back on and tighten up the lugs. Then after you are sure that the lugs are as tight as you can get them, then you are done. Part of learning how to change brake pads is learning how to put everything back to the way it was.

You have just changed brake pads. You have saved yourself time and money learning how to change brake pads yourself. If you are not confident in your ability to change brake pads, remember to always seek professional assistance from a mechanic.