If you hear a very metal, scraping sound when driving and trying to stop, this would mean two things. Firstly, it would mean that you are driving an old car with no lamp to indicate the state of the brake pads, and secondly – it would mean that you are quite late to change them. Luckily most of the cars have such lamps so it is easier for you to check.
When it’s time to replace your brake pads, it’s best to go to an auto repair or car servicing shop for a car or for a truck brake system service. It will cost you, but you will have the assurance that no car problems will arise while you are driving in the middle of the road. Another way to solve the problem is to learn to do it alone. It would be more difficult for you but definitely cheaper.
First thing to do is to buy new brake pads in accordance with your car model, make and year. You can do this at any auto parts store or local car dealership. The specialists there will offer you a range of brake pads suitable for your car. Usually those that are more expensive are of better quality.
In order to start the procedure of replacement, your car has to be cool. If you have just driven it, the brake pads will be hot and you will not be able to touch them. So, take your time and proceed. You have to make loose the lug nuts of the two front wheels. Don’t loosen them completely, just half the way or a little more. You can do that using a wrench. Lift the car up with the jack. You have to choose carefully the place where to put the jack out of safety reasons. You better consult with the car manual. The emergency brake should be on. Then you lift the car to the position which will permit you to change the wheels. It is better that you secure the cars additionally with the help of some blocks or a jack stand. Do the same on the other side of the car.
Remove the lug nuts and the wheels. When you remove them you will see the rotor and the caliper. Next you have to remove the mounting bolts of the caliper, which are between two and four for the different models. There is a special wrench to help you with that. There might be in some models also some clips which you also have to remove. Pay attention when you are removing the caliper not to damage the brake fluid line that is attached to it.
Put back the piston in the caliper until it reaches fully open position. Fix the new brake pads exactly on the place of the old ones. Lay some grease to the back of the pads you have just mounted and mount the brakes, following the opposite order of the way you have dismounted them. The same should be done on the other side of the car.
At the end, put the car down, tighten the lug nuts and start the car. Lastly, pump the brakes about 20 times to ensure that the pistons are pressing the brake pads, which will mean that everything is back to normal.
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