Replacing brake pads - a guide for do-it-yourselfers!

Brakes are one of the most important safety related components of any vehicle and should therefore be checked regularly and repaired immediately. Brake linings, as well as brake pads, wear out very often over time, which requires quick replacement. We will show you how to detect defects and malfunctions of brake pads, how to replace them step by step and what you need to pay special attention to.

Brake pads and their functions

Brake pads are so-called friction linings that are used in drum brakes. Their direct analogue in disc brakes are the so-called brake pads.

Although drum brakes are used less and less in modern cars , these brake options are yet to be found. Drum brakes are especially popular for SUVs. , since the brake pads are much easier to protect from dirt and dust. Brake pads are directly responsible for the braking behavior of the vehicle and are therefore among the vehicle's safety-important components. . For this reason, they should be checked regularly and replaced immediately if damaged or defective.

These symptoms point to damaged brake pads.

Brake pads can wear surprisingly quickly in sporty driving. . However, since brakes are of particular importance, attention should be paid to various signs indicating a defect or signs of wear.

In the case of brake pads, these include the following signs:

– Brake lever travel on your vehicle has changed noticeably – Braking force ceased to be consistently strong - You have to brake harder than usual – The brake warning light comes on - Steering wheel vibrates a lot when braking – You hear a distinct screech from the brakes

All of these factors could very well be related to faulty or worn brake pads. . However, other factors can also lead to these symptoms. Thus, since the brakes and their functionality are very important, brake pads should be checked as soon as possible . This is because the failure of the brakes while driving in most cases leads to serious accidents. The test itself is quick and takes only a few minutes.

Brakes malfunctioning: immediate action required

Any of the above signs of possible brake damage should be acted upon as soon as possible. After all, a faulty brake puts not only your life at risk, but the lives of all other road users in your area. Since in most cases only the brake pads need to be replaced, the replacement itself is done quickly and at a reasonable cost. .

Therefore, do not react quickly to such situations. In addition, you should also check the brakes or have them checked even if there are minor symptoms. As with all safety-relevant components, the same applies here: it's better to check too much once than to get hurt later .

Brake pads wear out?

Basically, the answer to this question is “yes”. This is because the brake pads work by friction to slow the vehicle down. .

But nonetheless , brake pads wear out much more slowly than brake pads due to their design and construction.

But The degree of wear also depends on driving style and mileage. As a general rule, you can assume that quality brake pads will last a good 120 kilometers before the replacement date. Should still be checked regularly . This is because wear can become apparent much faster with particularly sporty driving and frequent stops. Brake pads at total mileage 40 000 kilometers have already been replaced. So your driving style is largely responsible for brake pad wear.

The more thoughtfully and carefully you drive, the less you have to worry about brake pad wear. .

Screw or screw?

Even if the brakes are one of the most important elements of a car, changing brake pads is neither particularly expensive nor difficult . So if you have the right tools on hand and give yourself a chance, you can easily do it yourself. The path to the workshop may be much more convenient and easier, but it will hit your wallet much harder. In any case, it is worth trying to do it yourself.

You will need these tools to replace brake pads

– Jack with safety device or lifting platform – torque wrench – A screwdriver – Water pumps or combination pliers - Hammer – Brake cleaner

Replacing brake pads step by step

1. Jack up the car first – Important: Release the handbrake. The brake drum cannot be removed when the parking brake is set. 2. Now loosen the wheel nuts and remove the wheels . 3. Remove the cover, but be careful. - Unscrew the axle nut - it is fixed with a cotter pin. – Remove the axle nut and wheel bearing. – Remove the brake drum. – If the brake drum is stuck, free it with light blows. – If necessary, loosen the resetter with a screwdriver. – Remove the rubber pads on the brake plate. – Loosen the lock with a screwdriver. – Remove the brake pad fasteners. – Remove the brake pads. – Thoroughly clean all parts (brake spray). – Check the wheel brake cylinder for leaks. – Fit and secure new brake pads. – Now do all the steps in reverse order. – Then replace the brake pads on the other side. - Lower the car. – Before starting, depress the brake pedal several times and apply brake pressure. – Carefully check the braking performance.

When replacing, pay attention to the following.

• In any case, it is important to always replace the brake pads on each axle. . This is the only way to guarantee a permanent braking effect.
• Also make sure that the brake pads do not come into contact with grease and oil. . It can also noticeably minimize the braking effect.
• After replacing the brake pads, always carry out a functional test of the brake system first. . Start at a slow speed and gradually increase the braking power. This provides more security.

You should be aware of these costs.

First, something positive. Replacing drum brakes is much cheaper than replacing disc brakes.

While you have to calculate about 170 euro to replace brake discs, the cost of drum brakes is only 120 euro . Of course, prices also depend on the brand and type of car and workshop.

It is even cheaper to change them in the workshop if you bring the necessary spare parts yourself. Because many workshops use the purchase of spare parts to charge juicy additional costs. So if you want it especially cheap, just bring the brake pads for your car to the workshop.