how to change brake pads?
How To Change Brake Pads February 22nd, 2010would like to learn how to change Brake Pads on my
2000 mercedes ml430
any help out there?
a Haynes manual (available at most autos parts stores) can give you a very good, step by step, instruction.
remove tire
Remove bolts holding the caliper in place
remove caliper (make sure not to let it dangle from the brake line, do not disconnect brake line)
compress caliper (may take simple pressure or screwing motion)
place new pads in caliper
reassemble.
Do NOT follow these instructions without supervision of someone whoe knows what they are doing. I will not be held responsible if you botch the job. These instructions are over simplified.
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:19 pm
a Haynes manual (available at most autos parts stores) can give you a very good, step by step, instruction.
remove tire
Remove bolts holding the caliper in place
remove caliper (make sure not to let it dangle from the brake line, do not disconnect brake line)
compress caliper (may take simple pressure or screwing motion)
place new pads in caliper
reassemble.
Do NOT follow these instructions without supervision of someone whoe knows what they are doing. I will not be held responsible if you botch the job. These instructions are over simplified.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 8:38 pm
If your not a mechanic I would really go to a qualified person. One mistake can cost you your life and others.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 9:06 pm
your best bet is to go get the hayes manual for your vehicle. buy it at your local parts store (i.e. Autozone, Napa, etc…)
Generally all pads are the same.
Jack up the car, Remove the wheel. There are calipers on the back side of the brake assembly. They are basically bolts with a "sleeve" around it. They often requite an allen (hex) wrench. It’s easiest with a socket wrench with a hex bit on the end.
Take the two of them out, pull off the brake (be careful not to damage the brake line-leave it attached or you’ll have to bleed the brakes) Then just pop out the outside (closest to you) pad..Leave the in side one so you can compress the brake. They are held in by spring-loaded clips. This is where a brake compession tool comes in handy. They are cheap and is just like a reverse vise that you screw out to push the brake cylinder in. This is required because you new pads will be thicker and may not fir over the rotar.You may want to put some "brake quiet" goop or spray on now to minimize the squeek of new pads. Ask autozone what type is best for you, follow the directions on the box. Now swap out both pads. Slide the whole assembly back over the rotar.
Clean and lube the caliper "bolts". They sell a tiny pack of lube at the counter of autozone,etc… big enough for one axle. Check the brake for leaks and softly pump them to seat the new pads. Put the wheel on and do a slow-driven road test of the barke, again to seat them. Done. It sounds alot harder than it is…
Go get a chiltons or hayes manual..they pay for themselves over and over. Good luck!!!
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February 22nd, 2010 at 9:30 pm
If your not a certified mechanic I would highly suggest that you go to one. You wouldn’t want to drive a down a hill with faulty brakes.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 10:04 pm
I love the "I-think-I-can-do-it-myselfers." First they come in and spend money to buy the parts to do the job. Then, when they screw the job up, they bring their car back in and pay for parts again as well as labor to fix their mistakes.
That being said, when someone asks me a question like this I usually respond, "Well, I don’t know your level of technical ability, but when someone asks me this question I usually suggest they take their car to a certified mechanic." That often gets a laugh of agreement from the person asking the question.
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