"How to Change Your Brakes " by Kyler L

When experiencing issues with their car, most people tend to resort to paying mechanics to fix their problems. Although this may save a person time and energy, It's going to cost a lot of money in the process. By doing this operation yourself, you can save up to $115! Hers how to do it
(This tutorial may vary depending on the car)

Materials needed
-2 car lifts
-2 Jack stands
-Tire iron
-Assortment of sockets (for variations in size from car model to model) -New brake pads and brake hardware
- Large C-clamp Steps

1. Park your car onto a non-inclined surface, preferably in your garage if available. This is to prevent the car from moving when working on it.
   
2. Place the lift under one side of your car and raise it up, putting the lift on the metal edge instead of directly onto the body. This is so we can remove the tire.
   
3. Lift the car until you can slide a jack stand underneath it. Place the jack stand under and lower the lift until the car sets onto the jack stand. This is for safety precautions
   
4. Take the tire iron and remove the tire by taking off the hubcap, and unscrewing the bolts that hold the tire into place. This is so we can get to the brakes and rotors.
   
5. Once the tire is off, go to the other tire and slightly loosen the bolts, but not entirely. Just enough to where you would be able to unscrew it with your hands. This is to help remove the tire.
   
6. Grab another lift and lift the other side of the car as well
   
7. Repeat step 3
   
8. Repeat step 4
   
9. Now that the tires are off, unscrew the bolts that hold the brakes to the axel with
   a proper socket (not the caliper). This is to remove the brakes from the rotors.
   

10.Remove the brakes from the rotors. Make sure it isn't hanging from the hose it is attached to.

11.Grab a C-clamp. You must now push the brake piston backwards. To do this, use the C-clamp to sandwich the piston by putting it onto the back of the brake housing, and the other end on the edge of the piston. Twist the clamp until the piston is flush with it's housing. This is to give enough room for the new brake to fit.
12.Remove the old brakes from their slots along with the brake holding pins. Place the holding pins to the side to use them again later.
13.Remove the brake hardware that the brakes slot into, and replace them with their corresponding new ones. Make sure when removing the old ones, you pay attention to the orientation and piece that you are removing so you can properly place the new one in a correct position.
14.Once all the new hardware has been replaced in each of the four slots, place the new brakes into the slots where the old ones used to be.
15.Place the brake housing back on with the new brakes in, and bolt it back to how it was before.
16.Now you must remove the caliper (the part that slides). Unscrew the caliper and take it off This is to allow us to see the back of the pads
17. Now that the back of the pads are exposed, place the brake holding pins into their corresponding holes.
18.Once the pins are in place, bolt the caliper back into place.
19. Repeat the process for the other side.
20.Now you must put the tires back on. Place the tires on the bolts over the rotors,
and screw them back into place with your hands. Do not tighten them all the way with the iron because both sides are still lifted, so the wheel will turn when trying to tighten it.
21.Remove the jack stand from one of the sides by using a lift and lower it down to the ground.
22.Tighten the bolts on the tire that is still suspended into the air until it is extremely tight. This is to get the tire back on tight and properly attached
23. Lower the side that was just tightened, and then lift the other side back up (the non tightened one) and tighten the bolts
24.Lower the car back down
25.Congratulations, you have just changed the brakes in your car!

 

This is an image of my car. I recently changed the brakes on my car a few days prior. The brakes are working perfectly and I can now drive my car without the worry of brake damage.
I am knowledgeable on the topic because I am taking an auto elective class here at Etiwanda. My teacher has showed my how to change brakes, and we have practiced doing them ourselves with his supervision. I was also educated by my best friends grandfather, who is a handy man with cars. He helped me walk through the process when I changed my brakes a few days ago.
I hope you are now able to save money on your car expenses, and now have a better understanding as to how cars function and what you can do to fix them. Working with your hands can help you build critical thinking skills, and is an overall rewarding experience. Please take this information into account, and enjoy saving your hard earned money!