| Car repairs can cost you a lot of time and money. | | | | With the caliper removed, take a moment to |
| You can save yourself some of both by learning how | | | | remember how everything is installed; take a digital |
| to do some of the more basic auto maintenance | | | | picture if you can, as this will help you remember |
| procedures. With that in mind, here’s a brief DIY | | | | where everything goes when you’re putting it all |
| guide to one of them: replacing your brake pads. | | | | back together. Your car might include small metal |
| You’ll need: an open end or adjustable wrench, a | | | | retainers that hold the pads in place. Remove these, |
| c-clamp, a hammer, a small bungee cord and Allen | | | | take the old pads, insert the new pads, and then put |
| wrenches. | | | | the metal pieces back in place. |
| Preparations | | | | Adjusting the Brake Piston |
| Loosen the bolts of the wheel before jacking the car | | | | Locate the piston behind the brake caliper. This is the |
| up; this will make it easier to remove the wheels one | | | | brake piston, which pushes the brake pads from the |
| you do. Make sure to use a jackstand, as you never | | | | back. The piston adjusts itself to fit the pads as they |
| want to get under a car supported only by jacks. | | | | wear. Because you’ll be installing new pads, |
| Remove Wheel | | | | you’re gonna want to adjust the piston back to its |
| Start loosening the bottom bolts first and work your | | | | starting position. Take your c-clamp and put the screw |
| way up, as this will keep the wheel stable. Once the | | | | end of it against the piston and the other end against |
| bolts are out, place the wheel carefully to the side. | | | | the back of the caliper. Tighten until the new pads can |
| Unbolt Break Caliper | | | | fit comfortably. |
| You can locate the brake caliper in the 12 o’clock | | | | Reinstall Brake Caliper |
| position, above the shiny brake disk. There are two | | | | Put the brake caliper in place. Reinstall the bolts and |
| bolts on either side of the back of the caliper. Remove | | | | tighten them firmly. Press on the brake pedal to check |
| them with either the lug or the Allen wrench. Pull the | | | | that the pressure is good, then reinstall the tires and |
| caliper from the top and hang it from somewhere | | | | jack the car down. If your car seems too difficult to |
| using the short bungee cord. | | | | work on, don't hesitate to play it safe and use San |
| Remove Old Pads | | | | Diego BMW repair. |