Is it safe to change your own brake pads?

You will be pleasantly surprised to find that you can change your car’s disc brake pads quickly, easily and without specialized tools. Doing it yourself also will save you a lot of money. In either case the rotors may also need to be replaced or “turned” on a brake lathe, a procedure not covered here.

How long does it take to change brake pads by yourself?

Changing front brake pads is simpler than replacing rear disc brakes, and if you have experience doing basic repairs the job will take about 4 hours.

Are brakes hard to replace?

No matter if you buy a new car, a pre-owned car, or lease a vehicle, maintenance is unavoidable. And at some point, the brakes will need to be replaced. Although many will let a mechanic take care of the work, it’s not a terribly difficult process.

What happens if you put brake pads on wrong?

The brakes will make a grinding noise when applied, and the car will not stop very well. If you can get them to fit back-to-front then you will get metal to metal contact between the pads and the brake disc. You car won’t stop, you’re likely to have a serious accident and will ruin your brake discs in the process.

Is it cheaper to replace your own brakes?

They’ll require that your rotors be resurfaced or replaced, and probably tack on caliper replacement as well. A simple brake pad replacement that should only cost $40 could easily turn into a $500+ brake job. So you are saving possibly $450 every time you replace your own brake pads.

Can you change brake pads without taking the caliper off?

You need to remove the guide pin bolts or screws to remove the brake caliper piston, you can replace the brake pads without removing the brake caliper mounting bracket !

How many hours does a brake job pay?

Altogether, the flat-rate time for an average front brake service adds up to 2.8 hours. When 2.8 hours is multiplied by an average hourly rate of, let’s say, $70 per hour, the gross labor profit equals $196.

How long do brake pads last?

Brake pads generally last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, but some can last as long as 100,000 miles. There are many factors that account for this wide range. First, brake pads come in a variety of types and compositions and are attached to even more varying brake systems and rotors.