1. Jack up the front right tire.
2. Remove the hubcap and the six bolts on the tire. Roll the tire aside and leave it vertical since I don’t like to lift the tire when it’s lying flat down.
3. Remove the two bolts on the back of the caliper near the top and bottom.
4. Use bungee cord to hang caliper from suspension.
Here's the brake pad under the caliper.
5. Remove two bent wires holding the brake pads together, set aside and save.
6. Remove two brake pads.
7. Here are the new brake pads and the instructions.
8. Two brake pads on the left are new. Two brake pads on the right are old.
9. There are two metal "shoes" that hold the brake pads on the rotor. Remove the top old metal "shoe" off.
10. Put new metal shoe (came with the new brake pads) in place of old.
9. There are two metal "shoes" that hold the brake pads on the rotor. Remove the top old metal "shoe" off.
10. Put new metal shoe (came with the new brake pads) in place of old.
11. Remove the bottom old metal "shoe".
13. Place towel or tray under rotor to catch excess brake cleaner
. Spray brake cleaner on rotor, brake pad holder,...
and caliper.
12. Put new bottom metal "shoe" in place of old.
13. Place towel or tray under rotor to catch excess brake cleaner
. Spray brake cleaner on rotor, brake pad holder,...
rest of rotor, ...
and caliper.
See clean rotor and caliper below.
14. This is the old brake pad.
14. This is the old brake pad.
This is the new brake pad.
15. Lubricate new brake pads under metal plate with lubricant that came with brake pads.
Place metal plates back on each brake pad.
15. Lubricate new brake pads under metal plate with lubricant that came with brake pads.
Spread lubricant.
Place metal plates back on each brake pad.
16. We got the brake pads below for $49 plus shipping.
Akebono ACT691 Front Ceramic Pads
Akebono ACT691 Front Ceramic Pads
17. Place one brake pad on rotor.
18. Place second brake pad on rotor.
19. Next work with the caliper to retract the two steel pistons.
18. Place second brake pad on rotor.
19. Next work with the caliper to retract the two steel pistons.
Steel part of pistons needs to be pushed back so that it is flush with the inside face of the cast iron part of the caliper.
20. To push the pistons back, the brake fluid needs to be released. On the caliper, take the rubber cap off of the brake fluid spout.
Slide a plastic tube over the spout with the other end in an empty container. Use a wrench to release the brake fluid by loosening the nut near the brake fluid spout a quarter turn.
21. Open the hood of the car and take off the brake fluid cap. Place a towel over the painted part of your car to avoid damage by brake fluid. Prepare a container for brake fluid.
Use something like this to suck out some brake fluid from the top to avoid overflow of brake fluid when the pistons are compressed.
22. Back down by the caliper, place one of the old brake pads against the two steel pistons. Use a large adjustable wrench or anything that can pry the caliper open to press back the pistons.
Slide a plastic tube over the spout with the other end in an empty container. Use a wrench to release the brake fluid by loosening the nut near the brake fluid spout a quarter turn.
21. Open the hood of the car and take off the brake fluid cap. Place a towel over the painted part of your car to avoid damage by brake fluid. Prepare a container for brake fluid.
Use something like this to suck out some brake fluid from the top to avoid overflow of brake fluid when the pistons are compressed.
22. Back down by the caliper, place one of the old brake pads against the two steel pistons. Use a large adjustable wrench or anything that can pry the caliper open to press back the pistons.
The steel pistons need to be pushed back flush with the caliper so that it will fit over the brake pads.
23. Place the two bent metal wires back in the holes on the brake pads pointing toward each other.
24. Slide caliper over brake pads with pistons against the brake pad on the inside.
25. Bolt the caliper back in place by screwing in the two bolts on the inside (top and botom).
26. Refill brake fluid to top. Do not get brake fluid anywhere on paint.
27. With one person near the caliper, one person depresses the brake pedal, brake fluid flows out at the caliper and brake fluid gets sucked down through the system from the tank. With the pedal, tighten the bleed screw. Bleed the brakes until the the fluid coming out is clean. Be sure to leave enough fluid for the other side and do NOT suck in any air.
28. Make sure the bleed screw is tightened all the way.
29. Take the plastic tubing off the brake fluid spout and place the black rubber cap back on the spout.
23. Place the two bent metal wires back in the holes on the brake pads pointing toward each other.
24. Slide caliper over brake pads with pistons against the brake pad on the inside.
25. Bolt the caliper back in place by screwing in the two bolts on the inside (top and botom).
New brake pad installed.
26. Refill brake fluid to top. Do not get brake fluid anywhere on paint.
27. With one person near the caliper, one person depresses the brake pedal, brake fluid flows out at the caliper and brake fluid gets sucked down through the system from the tank. With the pedal, tighten the bleed screw. Bleed the brakes until the the fluid coming out is clean. Be sure to leave enough fluid for the other side and do NOT suck in any air.
28. Make sure the bleed screw is tightened all the way.
29. Take the plastic tubing off the brake fluid spout and place the black rubber cap back on the spout.
30. Put tire back on and repeat steps for left front tire.
well done. I just don't have the patience to do this kind of stuff anymore. Can you help me with my brakes next time?
ReplyDeleteIs this eric low? sure :) next time we're up there!
ReplyDeleteGood idea using a wrench to push back the pistons. I use to use a large C-clamp but it's little bulky.
ReplyDeleteIs it necessary to release the brake fluid spout to push back the pistons? Can I just remove fluid from the master cylinder so it doesn't overflow. Thanks for this post - I need to do my 2001 pathy brakes soon.
Hello Anonymous... Yes, the fluid can just be removed from the master cylinder, but it's a good oppurtunity to change the brake fluid if it hasn't been changed in a while. Thanks for the comment!
ReplyDeleteGreat job. Very helpful. Now, we have a 1998 and had brakes changed out by a place that used raybestos remanufactured calipers. Brakes squeel so I'm thinking of just replacing the pads. I think I'll try the same ones you bought...at around $50-$65 should hopefully fix the problem.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very well detailed how to. I agree, good idea to use locking pliers to push the caliber pistons back in. I use a c-clamp for this as well. Welcome to the carnival! - mattkendrick.com
ReplyDeletethanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding some great pics! I've been so cheesed off with all of the videos that don't really show the bolts and all that up close so you know exactly what to look for! Great job. =)
ReplyDeleteI think blogs should do more like this type of informing. Average people would get the idea and the procedure clearly than bunch of words that they don't understand.
ReplyDeleteNice sharing about changing brake pads, it really useful information about step by step alteration of brake pads. I use to visit Autoplicity to learn more about Centric Brake Pads designs.
ReplyDeleteA picture worth ten thousand words, this is also same situation. These pictures tells me huge amount of knowledge. You can also find different types of Centric Brake Pads.
ReplyDelete