Change Brake Pads and Calipers

Brake pads are replaced multiple times throughout the life of a vehicle. Calipers sometimes need replacing when the piston will no longer move, or the seals have begun to leak, due to age. The caliper squeezes the brake pads against the brake rotor, causing the vehicle to slow down.

Procedure:
1. Break loose the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Lift the vehicle into the air, with the floor jack, and place jack stands under the frame rails of the vehicle. Lower the floor jack, until the vehicle sits on the jack stands. Shake the vehicle to ensure the vehicle is safely sitting on the jack stands.
2. Remove the lug nuts, and pull the tire away from the vehicle. Place a drain pan underneath the wheel hub, to catch the brake fluid that will be lost from the brake lines.
3. Remove the rubber brake line from the caliper with the wrench set. Loosely wrap mechanic's wire around the rubber line, and angle it upward, securing it to the suspension. Ensure the rubber line does not kink.
4. Remove the two caliper-mounting bolts with the socket and ratchet. Pull the caliper away from the caliper-mounting bracket, and empty any brake fluid into the drain pan.
5. Pour brake fluid into the new caliper, and attach the rubber brake line to the new caliper. Place the new brake pads into position on the new caliper, and slide the caliper into position. Secure the caliper, by installing the two caliper-mounting bolts with the socket and ratchet.
6. Instruct your assistant to pump the brakes, until a firm pedal is achieved. Release the bleeder valve on the new caliper with the wrench set, and allow the air and fluid to run out the valve. Instruct the helper to hold the pedal to the floor, until the bleeder valve has been tightened. Repeat the process, until no more air comes from the bleeder valve.