Have you ever needed replacement brakes on your vehicle, visited the local garage and been charged an arm and leg when it came to the labor? Almost everyone who drives has probably experienced this. So if you are not familiar with any family or friends who are qualified to assist you at this job you might have no other choice than to head to the shop the next time you need brakes. Or do you?

To replace brake pads on your vehicle is not as hard as everyone makes it seem. If reading appropriate instructions and maybe having another helpful hand available, you can do them alone and save yourself the labor cost. So how long will it take you to replace brake pads? It all depends on how you are reading directions and following them to the letter. Here are a few instructions on how to replace brake pads the next time you are on a budget and want a project to do. Only ever consider replacing any car parts yourself if you feel thoroughly confident or have assistance from a professional.

Of course you know when you need to replace brake pads because of the squeal that comes from the wheel as you drive and apply pressure onto the brake. Once you hear this it means that very shortly you should replace the brake pads before the brake becomes nothing but metal on metal grinding against the disk. If this occurs you will have a larger problem on your hands than just replacing worn brake pads on your car and it will cost you a lot more money.

Head to your local car store or look online and purchase yourself some new brakes. They come in a few different brands starting from the cheapest, which will give you less mileage while driving until it is time to replace them again or you can choose the more expensive brake pads which will give you a greater amount of mileage until it is time to replace them. Always make sure the pads you choose are suitable for your vehicle.

Once the brakes are purchased it is time for the job to start physically. When you head home, jack the car up and make sure it is secure. After that is done you want to take off the front tire. If you remove the bolt on the lower part of the brake pads they sometimes just swing away from the disk so you can retrieve the brake pad. If that is the case, when you replace brake pads on these types of vehicles your job may become a bit easier. Make sure to remember how the brake sat onto the disk before removing it and placing the new one on. If you need to take a picture, do so.

Replace brake pads with the newer ones and then replace the bolt which you removed in the beginning to let the brake loose and you are almost complete with one wheel.

Once you replace brake pads all around your vehicle it is time to bleed the brakes and to make sure there is enough fluid. This is when it is easier to have two people. One to apply pressure onto the brakes and one to let fluid out if necessary!