How to Replace Brake Rotors

Brake rotors are metal discs that are attached to the wheels of a vehicle. The brake rotors have pads fastened onto them, and when the brake pedal is pushed, the pads cause friction on the wheels, causing the vehicle to slow down and stop. Depending on the amount of miles a vehicle is driven, the driving conditions, weather and driving habits, the brake rotors may need to be replaced due to damage. Here are a few steps on how to replace brake rotors.

Steps

1. 1
   Wear protective gloves before working on any part of the vehicle.

   
   
2. 2
   Place the car on a lift, or use a jack to raise it.
3. 3
   Remove the wheels from the car so that you can work with the brakes.
4. 4
   Use a screwdriver to loosen the calipers and then remove them.
5. 5
   Slide off the brake pads and remove them.
6. 6
   Locate the 2 caliper mounting bracket bolts, and use a wrench to dislodge the bolts and remove them, by turning the wrench counter-clockwise.
7. 7
   Take off the caliper mounting brackets.
8. 8
   Take away the brake rotors, or use a hammer to tap them loose if they are stuck, then remove them.
9. 9
   Take off the caliper slide pins.
10. 10
    Use a silicon-based lubricant made especially for brake parts to lubricate the slide pins. Lubricating the slide pins will allow them to shift easily.
11. 11
    Put some lubricant on the sliding plates for the brake pads, which will help them to move easily and decrease noise.
12. 12
    Use brake cleaner to spray the new rotors in order to get rid of any excess grime, as well as the protective coating on the rotor to prevent rust.
13. 13
    Use a rag to wipe the brake cleaner from the rotor.
14. 14
    Place the replacement rotor through the wheel studs.
15. 15
    Replace the 2 caliper mounting bracket bolts that you took off previously.
16. 16
    Lubricate the backs of the replacement brake pads to decrease noise that is caused when the brake pads vibrate.
17. 17
    Place the replacement brake pads into the caliper mounting bracket, and wipe away any excess lubricant from the rotors.
18. 18
    Use a C-clamp or caliper compressor to compress all of the caliper pistons.
19. 19
    Replace the caliper by placing it over the brake pads, line up the holes and replace the bolts you removed previously.
20. 20
    Install the wheels back on the car, and then lower the car.
21. 21
    Pump the brakes with your foot a few times before driving the car. Push down on the brake pedal and then let it rise slowly.

    
    

Tips

• Brake rotors are dependent on the make and model of your vehicle.
• When you remove the caliper, secure it to the car with a wire. Do not allow the caliper to hang from the brake hose because it can break easily from the weight.
• Some caliper mounting bolts cannot be reused; if this is the case with your car, reinstall the brake rotors using new bolts. Your vehicle manual will inform you if your vehicle mounting bolts can be reused.
• Replace any bolts that are poorly treaded after removing them.

Warnings

• Do not drive the car until the brake pedal feels like it is working correctly.

Things You'll Need

• Protective gloves
• Jack
• Screwdriver
• Wrench
• Hammer
• Silicon-based lubricant
• Brake cleaner
• Rag

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