Change Car Front Brake Pads
The front brake pads do most of your car's braking. When worn, they lengthen the stopping distance and damage the discs. Replacing them is within reach of any careful DIYer, but it calls for care and precision.
How do brake pads work?
When you press the brake pedal, the caliper pistons press the pads against the rotating discs. Through friction, kinetic energy is turned into heat, which slows the vehicle. During hard braking the pads and discs can reach 800 °C.
When should you change the front pads?
Average life is 40,000 km. Change them as soon as the friction material is down to 2 mm at the least, or as soon as a wear-warning light comes on. A metallic noise when braking means the pads are spent, and that the discs are probably damaged too.
The replacement steps
Raise and secure
- Raise the front of the vehicle with a trolley jack and support it on axle stands
- Remove the front wheels
- Gather your kit: piston rewind tool, brake cleaner, torque wrench
Take out the old pads
- Swing or tip the caliper clear
- Remove the old pads and their clips
- Clean the caliper and its carrier; check the boots and slide pins
Install the new pads
- Fit the new clips and slide the pads into their seats
- Gently and fully wind the caliper piston back with a piston rewind tool
- Refit the caliper and tighten the bolts to the specified torque
Bedding-in and checks
- Refit the wheels, remove the axle stands
- Start up and press the pedal several times to reposition the pads
- Avoid harsh braking for the first 200 to 300 km
Price and buying advice
A set of front pads costs between £25 and £80 from a motor factor. Average garage price: around £110 (parts included). Always replace both sides at the same time.
