Front and Rear Brake Pad Change- Step-by-Step SOP
Objective: To outline the standard procedure for changing the front and rear brake pads, ensuring safety, efficiency, and adherence to manufacturer specifications.
Tools and Materials Needed:
- Jack and jack stands
- Wheel chocks
- Lug wrench
- Torque wrench
- Brake pad spreader or C-clamp
- Brake cleaner
- New brake pads
- Anti-seize lubricant
- Brake fluid (if needed)
- OBD scanner (for electronic parking brake models)
Step-by-Step Procedure
1. Preparation (5 minutes)
Safety First: Ensure the vehicle is on a flat surface, engage the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the wheels.
Image: A photo of the car on a flat surface with wheel chocks in place.
2. Lifting the Vehicle (5 minutes)
Jack Up the Car: Use the jack to lift the vehicle and secure it on jack stands.
Image: Showing the jack lifting the car and the car secured on jack stands.
3. Wheel Removal (2 minutes per wheel, 10 minutes total)
Remove Wheels: Use a lug wrench to remove the wheel bolts and take off the wheels.
Image: Photo of the removed wheel showing the brake assembly.
4. Accessing Brake Pads (10 minutes per side, 20 minutes total)
- Front Brakes: Turn the steering wheel to access the calipers easily. Remove the caliper bolts and slide the caliper off the rotor.
Rear Brakes: For electronic parking brakes, use an OBD scanner to release the parking brake. Then, remove the caliper bolts.
Image: Front and rear calipers being removed, showing bolts and necessary tools.
5. Removing Old Brake Pads (10 minutes per side, 20 minutes total)
- Old Pads: Remove the old brake pads from the caliper bracket.
- Sensor: Remove the speed sensor if damaged
- Check Components: Inspect the caliper, rotor, and brake lines for wear or damage.
Image: Old brake pads being removed from the caliper bracket.
6. Installing New Brake Pads (15 minutes per side, 30 minutes total)
- Clean and Lubricate: Clean the caliper and caliper bracket with brake cleaner. Apply anti-seize lubricant to the contact points where the pads rest.
- Compress Piston: Use a brake pad spreader or C-clamp to compress the caliper piston fully.
- Install Sensor: Install the speed sensor if required
- Install Pads: Place the new brake pads into the caliper bracket.
- Image: Clean caliper bracket and piston being compressed.
7. Reassembling the Brakes (10 minutes per side, 20 minutes total)
Reattach Caliper: Reinstall the caliper over the new brake pads and secure with caliper bolts.
Image: Caliper being reattached with new brake pads in place.
8. Reattaching Wheels (3 minutes per wheel, 15 minutes total)
Install Wheels: Reattach the wheels and tighten the lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle and use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Image: Wheel being reattached and tightened with a torque wrench.
9. Final Checks (10 minutes)
- Brake Fluid: Check and top up brake fluid if necessary.
Test Brakes: Pump the brake pedal until it feels firm. Test drive the vehicle at low speeds to ensure proper brake function.
Image: Brake fluid level being checked and the car being test-driven.
Computer resetting if required
Safety and Quality Assurance
- Always use genuine or high-quality aftermarket parts.
- Adhere strictly to torque specifications to avoid damage.
- Double-check all bolts and components before concluding the job.
- Ensure proper disposal of old brake pads and any other waste materials.
Total Time Required
2 hours and 30 minutes
By following this SOP, you ensure a safe, effective, and professional brake pad change for any vehicles.