Car maintenance expenses can add up quickly. While many car repairs require expert assistance, you can reduce some of the costs by tackling a few tasks on your own. One of them is changing your old brake pads.

Eradicate the awful squealing and screeching that can occur with worn down pads and get back to a safer driving experience with new brake pads that stop your car immediately. Here are the steps for changing your own brake pads.

Gather Your Materials and Prep Your Car

To change the brake pads on your new CDJR for sale you need a jack stand, tire iron, torque wrench, socket set, and screwdrivers. Check your owner’s manual to determine where to place your jack. This is important to keep you as safe as possible while doing this job. A jack stand is safer than a floor jack because they support your car with more stability.

Remove Lug Nuts and Wheel

Using the tire iron, remove the lug nuts and then take off the wheel. Now you’ll be able to see a round rotor and a metal brake caliper assembly. Remove the slider bolts and take off the caliper assembly.

Take Off Old Brake Pads

Before you remove the old brake pads, notice the position they are in. Take a picture before you remove them if you want to make sure you install the new ones properly. Remove the old retaining clips and replace them with the ones that came in your new brake pad set.

Prepare Area for New Brake Pads

Clean your new brake pads if necessary with a special cleaner. Scrub off any rust you see in the area. Smear brake grease on the metal plates on the back of your brake pads. Install the new pads in the same position as the old ones. Look at your owner’s manual or the photo you took before you removed the old pads.

It’s time to replace the caliper assembly. Put an old brake pad inside the assembly and tighten it with a brake tool until you have a secure fit. Place the caliper back into place on your vehicle over the new brake pads and tighten the bolts with your socket wrench.

Remount the Tire and Test Brakes

Slide your tire back into place and tighten the lug nuts. When the jack is removed, use your tire iron to further secure the lug nuts in place.

Take a test drive around the block to see how the new brake pads are working. They may be touchier at first because of the new thickness, but you’ll get used to the new feel quickly. Now you can drive with more peace of mind knowing your brakes will stop your car quickly.

You Can Change Your Own Brake Pads

With a few basic mechanic tools and a step-by-step guide, you can save yourself money when you replace your own brake pads. It may take some practice at first, but before you know it, you’ll be a pro.