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How
To Change Brake Pads, Brake Repair, Brake Noise
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Performing
a brake job on your own is not as hard as you might think.
When you're installing premium brake pads you should also do
everything else that's necessary to ensure your brakes are safe
and dependable. A "Pad slap" brake job (replacing the brake
pads and nothing else) only invite trouble down the road. If
the brake pads or brake shoes are worn and need to be replaced,
chances are other components in the brake system may require
attention too. The most obvious ones would be the brake rotors
or drums and brake calipers or wheel cylinders. Both the front
and the rear brakes should be inspected. The front brake hoses
also wear out very quickly. |
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A
quality brake job should cover every aspect of the system from
the brake master cylinder to the calipers and wheel cylinders.
This includes: |
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1)
Inspecting all the mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical components
in both the front and rear brakes (calipers, caliper hardware,
wheel cylinder, drum hardware, parking brake and brake pad wear
sensors).
2) Replacing the front and
rear pads or shoes (if necessary).
3) Inspecting or replacing
brake rotors or discs. Brake rotors require a clean,
smooth, flat surface on the rotors, otherwise brake performance
will suffer. A rough surface will accelerate pad wear and increase
the risk of noise. An uneven surface or variations in rotor
thickness can cause vibrations, noise and annoying brake pedal
pulsations. Brakes drums that have grooves or any kind of damage
should be replaced immediately.
4) Inspecting wheel bearings
(repacking on older vehicles). Lubricating all critical areas
such as caliper slides and shoe pads with moly-based high temperature
brake grease.
5) Check and adjust the
parking brake if necessary.
6) Checking the level and
condition of the brake fluid (changing the fluid is recommended
to get rid of moisture contamination). The type of brake fluid
required will depend on the vehicle application. Always follow
the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. Bleeding all the
brake lines to remove trapped air. Inspecting the entire
system for leaks (hoses, lines, wheel cylinders, calipers and
master cylinder. Brake hoses in today's brake systems
may have to withstand pressure of up to 2,500 psi so make sure
there are no cracks, bulges, or damage to the hoses. Calipers
and wheel cylinders should be checked for leaks, severe corrosion
or damage, and rebuilt or replaced if a problem is found. If
a master cylinder is leaking externally or internally (pedal
slowly sinks to floor), it must be rebuilt or replaced. Rebuilding
aluminum master cylinders is not recommended.
7) Inspect the brake
pad wear sensor on the pad for cracks or damage. If the
warning light is on inside the car prior to inspection it should
be replaced.
8) Checking the ABS system,
if applicable, (ie:no warning light or trouble codes). Making
sure the pedal is firm, the brakes operate properly, quietly
and provide safe stopping power once the job is complete. |
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There's
no excuse for not inspecting each and every component in the
brake system. Any brake parts that are out of specification,
worn or damaged should always be replaced to restore brake performance
and safety to like-new condition. Good luck. |
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Hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm Sat 9am-3pm
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Toll
Free 1-888-628-3247
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| Order
Toll Free |
| 1-
888- 628- 3247 |
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