Cleaning Car Brake Pads: Methods, Tools, Instructions & More
Brake pads are the friction pads inside disc brakes that provide the stopping power when you press down on the brake pedal. They grip the brake rotors to slow your wheels and bring your vehicle to a halt. Over time, brake pads wear down and get contaminated with brake dust, metal shavings, oil, and grease. Cleaning your brake pads periodically removes these contaminants and helps restore braking performance.
Regular brake pad cleaning extends pad and rotor life, improves braking power, reduces squealing/squeaking brakes, and enhances pedal feel and responsiveness. Allowing contaminants to build up can lead to brake fade, uneven pad wear, rotor damage, and even brake failure. Cleaning brake pads is an important preventive maintenance task for safe braking.
When to Clean Brake Pads
There are a few key signs that indicate your brake pads need to be cleaned:
– Squealing or squeaking when braking – This high-pitched noise is caused by the brake pad indicator scraping against the rotor, signaling that the pad material is worn down.1
– Vibration when braking – If you feel shaking or pulsation in the brake pedal, rotors may be warped. Cleaning pads and rotors can help smooth out braking.2
– Brake fade – When brakes lose stopping power after repeated use, it indicates buildup on pads/rotors needs to be cleaned off.
– Uneven braking – If the vehicle pulls to one side when braking, brake pad deposits may have caused uneven friction.3
Inspect pads and rotors regularly for signs of dirt, oil, rust or other contaminants that cleaning can remove. Cleaning extends pad and rotor life before needing replacement.
Tools Needed
Here are the basic tools you’ll need to properly clean your brake pads:
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Sandpaper – Either 120 or 150 grit sandpaper works best for cleaning brake pads. The coarser grit helps remove any glazed over material.
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Brake cleaner spray – This helps remove any oil, grease or debris from the brake pads and caliper.
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Rags – Have some clean rags on hand to wipe down brake components.
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Brake pad spreader tool – This helps push the caliper piston back to make room for the new brake pads.
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Pliers – Standard pliers or channel locks can help remove hardware.
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Jack and jack stands – Safely lifting the wheel off the ground makes the job easier.
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Gloves – Protect your hands from brake dust and debris.
In addition to these basic hand tools, you may need a caliper compression tool or C-clamp to push the piston back. Having the right tools makes cleaning brake pads much easier.
Removing the Brake Pads
Removing the brake pads is a crucial first step in the brake pad cleaning process. Here is a step-by-step guide for removing brake pads:
1. Park your vehicle on a flat surface and engage the parking brake. Block the rear wheels to prevent rolling.
2. Loosen the wheel lug nuts and raise the vehicle using a jack. Secure with jack stands.
3. Remove the wheel to access the brake caliper and brake pads.
4. Locate the caliper bolts that hold the caliper in place. Remove the bolts and set aside.
5. Carefully lift the caliper off the rotor and hang it securely using a bungee or wire. Do not let it hang by the brake line.
6. With the caliper out of the way, the brake pads will now be accessible. There will likely be clips, pins or springs holding the brake pads in place. Carefully remove them.
7. Slide the brake pads out of the caliper bracket. Take note of the orientation of the pads for reinstallation later.
8. Inspect the brake pads – are they worn down to the minimum thickness? Do they show contamination or damage? If so, they will need to be replaced instead of cleaned.
9. With the pads removed, you can now proceed to cleaning the brake components.
For step-by-step instructions with photos, refer to this guide: How to Clean Brake Pads to Stop Squeal
Cleaning the Brake Pads
Once you have removed the brake pads from the caliper, it’s time to clean them thoroughly. Here are the steps for properly cleaning brake pads:
- Inspect the brake pads for any tears, gouges, or uneven wear. If the pads are excessively worn, they will need to be replaced.
- Use coarse grit sandpaper to remove any glazing on the pad surface. Glazing is a smooth, glossy layer that builds up from heat and friction. Lightly sand the pad surfaces to remove this layer and refresh the pads.[1]
- Wipe away any brake dust and debris with a clean rag.
- Spray brake cleaner on the pads to remove any oil, grease or fluid contaminants. Make sure the pads are completely dry before reinstalling.
- Inspect the pad backing plates and hardware. Make sure there are no cracks or damage. Replace any worn parts.
- Re-chamfer the leading edge of the brake pads if needed to prevent squealing. Use a file to recreate the proper angle on the pad edges.
Properly cleaning the brake pads removes any buildup and contaminants while refreshing the pad surface for optimal braking performance.
Cleaning the Brake Caliper
Cleaning the brake caliper is an important step in ensuring the new brake pads perform properly. Over time brake dust, rust, and road debris will build up on the brake caliper. Removing this build up will allow the caliper pistons to retract properly and the pads to seat flush against the rotor.
Start by spraying a brake cleaner on a clean rag and wiping down all accessible surfaces of the caliper to remove any loose debris and dust. Pay close attention to cleaning the the caliper bracket where the pads sit, as this is where most of the brake dust will accumulate. Use brake cleaner sparingly, as it can damage paint.
For more stubborn areas, use a wire brush to scrub off debris and corrosion. Make sure to avoid scratching or damaging any rubber boots or seals [1]. After scrubbing with a wire brush, wipe the area down with brake cleaner on a rag. For severely corroded areas, sandblasting can be used to fully remove rust and achieve a smooth surface[1].
Replacing Hardware
The brake hardware such as clips, springs, shims, and pins play an important role in the proper functioning of the brake pads. Over time, these small parts can become bent, rusted, or worn out which can affect braking performance.
According to this article, you should always replace the hardware when installing new brake pads. The clips and springs help keep the pads aligned and the shims prevent brake noise. Replacing these small parts ensures the brake pads will function optimally.
Specifically, replace clips and springs if they are misaligned, cracked, or overly corroded. The pins should be replaced if the rubber boots are torn or missing. And worn or missing shims can cause vibration. Always use high quality OEM or aftermarket hardware kits to restore your brakes to proper working order.
Reinstalling the Brake Pads
After cleaning the brake pads and hardware, you can reinstall everything back onto the caliper. Follow these step-by-step instructions:
Step 1: Insert the brake pads back into the caliper, with the friction material facing the rotor.
Step 2: Replace any clips or hardware that secure the brake pads in place.
Step 3: For single piston calipers, use a clamp to compress the piston while reinstalling the inner brake pad.
Step 4: For multi-piston calipers, use the proper brake pad spreader tool to turn the pistons and make room for the new thicker brake pads.
Step 5: Ensure the brake pads are properly seated and secured in the caliper.
Step 6: Replace the caliper bolts and torque them to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
Step 7: Reinstall the caliper onto the mount and secure with the caliper guide pins/bolts. Torque to specs.
Step 8: Reconnect any wear sensor clips or electrical connectors for brake pad wear indicators.
With the fresh brake pads installed, you’re ready to bed them in for optimal braking performance.
Bedding in the Brake Pads
Bedding in new brake pads is a crucial process to ensure optimal braking performance. It helps transfer an even layer of material from the brake pads onto the brake rotors through a series of gentle brake applications. This evens out any microscopic high spots or irregularities on the surfaces of both the pads and rotors, leading to smooth and consistent braking power.
The bedding in process typically involves the following steps:
- Accelerate the vehicle to around 50 mph.
- Apply firm but not harsh braking over a distance of around 100 feet until you slow down to about 20 mph. Do not come to a complete stop.
- Accelerate back up to 50 mph and repeat the braking application 2-3 more times.
- Allow the brakes to cool down by driving normally without any hard braking for a few minutes.
- Repeat another series of 3-4 medium-firm brake applications from 50 mph down to 20 mph.
It’s crucial not to do excessive high heat braking when bedding in pads. The goal is to avoid glazing the pads. Follow the recommended procedures from your pad manufacturer.
While a slight burnt smell is normal, any abnormal noises, vibrations or smoke indicate you should stop and allow a longer cooling period. Completing this full bedding in process ensures your new pads and rotors operate at peak performance.
Conclusion
The proper maintenance of your vehicle’s brakes is extremely important for safe driving. Over time, brake pads wear down from friction and need to be replaced in order to maintain maximum braking performance. Cleaning and replacing brake pads as needed helps ensure you have responsive, high-functioning brakes that can quickly slow and stop your vehicle.
It is recommended that brake pads be inspected regularly, at least every 6 months or 6,000-8,000 miles. Signs that your brake pads need replacement include squealing or grinding noises when braking, excessive vibration in the steering wheel when braking, or finding that you need to press the brake pedal farther than usual to stop the vehicle. Replacing brake pads before they are completely worn down helps prevent damage to brake rotors and calipers.
By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this guide, you can successfully clean and replace your own brake pads. Having the proper tools and taking appropriate safety precautions are key. With routine brake maintenance, you can keep your brakes in optimal condition and make sure this critical system is functioning properly for safe driving.