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| how to stand the car when removing tires |
HOW TO CHANGE CAR BRAKE
This article is written to help some of the car users to
know how to perform the “do it yourself” task. It has been written sequentially
to help both individuals who are not enlightened technically and also artisans
with ideal way of changing brake pads for cars. We have to understand that the
cars driven nowadays are basically running on disc or brake disc and as such
uses brake pads. This pads wear off and as such need to be replaced especially
when they start making persistent squeaking noise. While working with a reputable
auto workshop, have work life and this
you have to know depending on the material of the brake pads (i.e metallic,
semi metallic and ceramics)
I believe we have idea of how to change tires but if we don’t,
I wrote an article before on my blog (ooshaynaz.blogspot.com)about “how to
change a flat tire”. Hence, the procedure are ignored on this write up, lets
just go to the steps.
MATERIALS
NEEDED
Wheel spanner
Jack and its handle
Wedge to prevent the car from moving or in the case of a
lift you don’t need a wedge since the car is lifted up
A
wrench to remove the caliper bolts
New
brake pads
STEPS
· Jack the car up and loose out the nuts. Remove the
tires. ( incase you working at home, you can do it one tire at a time by
jacking the side you want to work on up and wedging the other tires with a
stone or wedge object if available)
·
Loose the screws and nuts holding the caliper to
the disc with the use of the wrench.
·
Once
those bolts are removed, lift the caliper off the brake rotor. It will still be
connected to the vehicle via the brake line. This is really important -- don't
let the caliper hang by the brake line. This can cause damage to the line and
ultimately lead to brake failure. Instead, use a wire to hang the caliper to the
suspension units.
·
Take a good
look at the brake rotor without
the caliper in place. If the brake rotor is deep by grooves in it, you probably
will want to have that part resurfaced (smoothened) or possibly even replaced
entirely. Remember, it's important to take all parts into account when doing
your own brake repair
·
To install the new brake pads, it is just a
simple matter of slipping the new pads into the slots where you found the old
ones. If they don't easily fit in with your hands, you may want to tap them in
gently with a rubber mallet(hammer if its what you have) Then, replace the pins
or bolts that held them in place and you are almost there.
| image source; google |
·
Next,
move the caliper back into position on the brake rotor. Make sure it fits
snugly, and tighten the bolts that hold the caliper in place. Make sure
everything is back in place and then give the brake pedal a few pumps from
inside your car(as if you bleeding the system) just to make sure the pedal
feels right to you. It may take several pumps of the pedal to get the brakes to
properly seat themselves into their new position.
·
Put the
wheel back on, tighten the lug nuts, remove the jack stands and lower the car
to the ground using your jack. It's just like changing a tire. Remember to fully
tighten the lug nuts once you have the vehicle back on the ground.
·
Ensure you
test drive the car to ascertain its ok and safe.
| image source; google pictures |
written by Maduka Tony
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