Is it possible and recommended for me to change brake pads in my car?

Question

On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 been the easiest. How would you rate changing brake pad?

Its a 2004 RSX

Answer 1

It's not hard to change the brake pads and you'll be suprised at how cheap it is. Get a repair manual that will show you step by step how to change the pads. Then, make sure you have all the tools needed to do the job. Most brakes are 2-5, and usually more difficult the first time you do it, getting easier as you do it more frequently. Correct Tools and the manual will make it much easier.

Answer 2

I would give it a 1. As long as no bolts break you shouldn't have a problem. I have never taken a car in for a brake change, and I am far from being a mechanic. I would recommend doing one side at a time. This way if you do forget how to put it back together then just look at another brake. Very easy to do, make sure you pump your pedal back up before driving.

Answer 3

Jeffery hit the nail on the head. You may hear some people throw "scare tactics" at you such as your life depends in doing the job correctly, think for a moment who taught them! Any car specific service manual explains the entire procedure.
Go to your public library and sign out Chilton's or Motors Manuals. Look for your specific car as they have the best reading and picture information. You may need a few tools, metric sockets and a large C clamp to compress the caliper pistons. Borrow or buy one or the other of the following: A vernier caliper or a 0" - 1" micrometer.
Call any any automotive brake rotor sales counter to find minimum thickness of your rotors. If your rotor thickness is within .025 of minimum toss them in the scrap can. If you plan on keeping your car for 2 yrs or more do not buy "off shore" cheap Chinese brake rotors. The quality of the metallurgy and annealing cycle is well below rotors made in the US. or Canada. If you have a light weight car consider organic pads such as EBC Green Stuff. Your rotors will never wear out and brake dust is pretty much nonexistent. Ceramic pads last longer but tend to wear rotors more agressively than organics. Forget semi-metallic or full metallic pads as they eat brake rotors to death. At 40,000 miles with metallics rotor wear is cooked. Look at an example: Toyota automobiles from the factory have organic pads. It's not unusual to see 60 - 80,000 mile life with these pads.
Always apply CRC Brake Quiet ( liquid high temp. silicone) on the back steel side of your pads. This step prevents brake squeal. It's avalible at any NAPA store. * Very important* -pick up 4 packets of high temp calper slider pin grease. The manual shows where and how to use it. Good luck with your project!

Answer 4

If you have confidence in yourself go ahead and try it, I'm sure you can find someone to bail you out if you run into trouble, I would say it's a 3 on the scale, by rights you should take the rotors off and have them turned by an autoparts store to do the job right, once you do the job you will see how easy it is.

Answer 5

Replacing the break pads is little bit difficult job
you will be require the proper tools and knowledge of the break system
If you don’t have work knowledge and experience it is recommended that don’t change it

Take your vehicle to the nearest service station

Answer 6

Yes its possible but the first time I would recommend you have someone with you who has done it before. 8-9 on your own, first time with someone who knows what they are doing 3-4, if they do it for you 1.

Answer 7

depends on your mechanical skills and car frt or rr brakes i would say 3 to 6

Answer 8

it depends on the year, make and ,model. do you all the right tools? you should be prepared to replace or resurface rotors. you'll be working with the caliper as well. if your mechanically inclined go for it. if not find a good mechanic.

Answer 9

If you have the right tools, a 5. You need jack stands as well.

Answer 10

3 at the most,its easy if u have any mechanical aptitude. the first times the hardest