Fitting new Brake pads and brake rotors is quite a straight forward procedure but as this is a SAFETY RELATED issue it is advised that only trained mechanics perform this work. Buying the brake parts is the easy part, the actual brake service is more technical and safety related.

As an aid to installing new brakes on any motorcycle brake system or automotive brake system EBC Brakes produces a brake installation guide to show you the key points.

This DVD can be viewed as a taster and purchased from any online vendor.

It is quite natural for car brakes to wear out. By stopping your vehicle brake pads wear down over as little as 10,000 miles or may last as much as 50,000 miles driving depending on your vehicle and driving style and when worn out will need a brake service and replacement brakes.

It is also normal for the brake effectiveness to reduce as the brakes become heavily worn and this can cause rotor hot spots or brake overheat and loss of brakes.

Inspect brakes regularly therefore to see when brake service is necessary. When to replace brakes is best decided by the amount of brake material left on the brake pad backing plate. It is always best to replace brakes when there is 2-3 mm or one eighth of an inch of material still left on the braking face of the brake pads.

Many Asian brake systems employ a "Screech clip" or audible brake wear sensor on the pads which will emit a high pitched noise when the pads wear down and replacement brakes. If you hear this brake noise it is best to get the vehicle checked out immediately.

European cars often use an electrical brake wear sensor which operates a brake warning light on the control panel of the vehicle, likewise this is an indication the brake pads are in need of replacement.

Knowing when to replace brake rotors is more subjective. Generally when there are heavy grooves marking (rotor galling) or a "lip" appears on the outside of the brake rotor it is time to seek professional advice about brake rotor replacement. Most auto repair shops will undertake your brake service.

When replacing brake rotors you must always replace the brake pads. Using worn brake pads on a new rotor will damage the brake rotor and cause rotor overheat which may cause an accident.

After replacing brake pads or brake rotors bleeding brakes is important and if you do not know how to bleed brakes consult a trained mechanic. Replacing brake parts is fairly straightforward but bleeding brakes is a more complicated task. Always seek advise on how to bleed brakes before driving your car if you are installing the components at home. This procedure of bleeding brakes involved loosening the brake lines attached to the brake caliper.

Most vehicles are fitted with hydraulic brakes and have a brake caliper attached to brake lines that are routed around the vehicle through the brake booster. Hydraulic brakes service work is definitely not an every day brake service procedure.

After any brake service always road test your vehicle carefully before handing the vehicle to any third party driver or customer and if you are a home DIY mechanic, do the whole family a favour and inform them that the vehicle has new brakes before hanging the keys up for general use.