Removing Brake Rotors The Easy Way

Removing Brake Rotors: A Quick Introduction

This is a step-by-step instruction guide for changing your brake rotors. Each step of the way you will be given instructions and pictures to see exactly what to do and when to do it.

We have written this with the beginner do-it-yourselfer in mind. Please be sure to take our safety advice seriously. Your brakes are the most important feature on your vechicle. We want you to save your money on labour costs; but more importantly, we want you to enjoy worry-free driving.

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 1

Safely Jacking Up Your Car. Since most of us will not have access to a lift, we will show you how to safely jack up your car.

Take a long flat-head screw driver and pry off the hub cap.

Loosen the wheel lugs while the car is still on the ground. This will avoid the chances of rocking the vechicle once it has been jacked up.

Check your owner's manual to find the premium jacking spot under your car. Secure the back wheel; we used two pieces of fire wood. Place your jack under the premium spot and jack it up.

Now that you have your car safely jacked up, you can remove the lug nuts from the wheel hub.

The wheel should now slide off effortlessly. We are now ready to work on the brakes.

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 2

Open The Master Cylinder. Before we proceed any farther, we must pop the hud of the car and open the cap on the master cylinder. We do this because as brakes wear, the caliper pistons move out. This draws brake fluid out into the brake system. Since we are going to be pushing the piston back into place, this will push brake fluid back into the master. Therefore, it is important to open the cap on the master to release the pressure.

One last thing before we get started on the brakes. Remember to use a jack stand under the steering table to further stablize your jacked up vechicle. It is also advised to turn the steering wheel in the direction of the wheel you are working on. This will give you more room to remove and replace the different parts.

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 3

First we will remove the caliper. It is held on by two bolts. We will use a socket wrench to do this. Some cars may require you to use an allen key instead. You can now remove the two guide-pin bolts.

The next thing we are going to do is force back the piston with a screw driver. Put the screw driver in between the brake pad and the piston and work it in a bit. This will make it easier to pull the caliper off.

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 4

Remove The Pads. Take your flat head screw driver and pry the pads off. They should pop off very easily now.

Inspect The Old Pads. Although our purpose here is to remove the brake rotor, it is a good idea at this point to check the brake pads too.

Comparing Brake Pads. Check the old pad for excessive wear like rusting or cracking. As you can see from the picture, we need to change the pads as well as the rotor. Contact Us to find you a price for your car. Click Here to learn more about Brake Pads.

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 5

Remove The Caliper Bracket. In order to remove the brake rotor, we must first remove the caliper bracket. This is fastened by two bracket bolts in behind the caliper bracket. Remove the bolts with a socket wrench and the caliper bracket will come off easily.

You can now remove the rotor. Some of them come off very easily, others will require some persuasion. We recommend giving them a whack with a hammer if you notice they have rusted themselves to the hub. Once you have loosened the rotor from the hub, just pull it off.

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 6

Cracking And Rusting. You can do a visual inspection of your Brake Rotor. If you notice rusting or cracking on the periphery of the rotor, it is time to make a change.

Warping. Common in passenger vechicles, rotor warping can occur from excessive heat in the braking system. If you notice this phenomenon, it is time to make a change. Contact Us to find you a price on a Brake Rotor for your car. Click Here to learn more about Brake Rotors.

Clean The Hub. Before you replace the old brake rotor with a new one, be sure to give the hub a good cleaning. We recommend you use a wire brush to do this.

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 7

A Clean Rotor. Take your new brake rotor out of its package. Check to make sure the packaging was well sealed. We chose to use an Atlas Rotor for our car. Although the Suzuki Aereo is a reliable automobile, we would definitely not categorize it as a high performance vechicle.

Spray a brake cleaner on your new rotor and wipe it clean. This will remove any oil or contaminants that could affect the performance of your rotor.

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 8

Replace The Rotor. Now that your rotor is clean and contaminant-free, all you have to do is slide the rotor back onto the hub.

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 9

Cleaning The Caliper Bracket. Before we remount the caliper bracket, we want to pull off the shims(the anti-rattle pads). We want to be able to clean the caliper bracket so it can freely float. This allows your brake pads to move properly within your caliper bracket. You can clean it with a wire brush.

The next thing we want to do is to check the pins in the caliper bracket. It is important that they can move freely.

Lubricate The Pins. You can pull the pins out of the bracket and coat them with a proper lubricant. This will guarentee their proper functionality. Once the pins have been lubed, replace the shims on the caliper bracket.

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 10

Put Pads In The Caliper Bracket. You are now ready to put the new brake pads in the caliper bracket. Make sure the friction is on the inside where the pads meet the rotor. This is an easy place to make a mistake! If you hear a metalic noise after you have finished your brake job, you have put them on backwards.

Bolt On The Caliper Bracket. When both of the new pads are in the caliper bracket, we are ready to bolt them back onto the table. They go back on the same way they came off. Make sure you have torqued the bolts to the proper torque recommendations in your owners manual.

The next step is to re-install the caliper back onto the bracket. But before we do that, we have to push the original piston of the caliper back in because it has moved out to work with the worn pads. Left the way it is, it will not fit over the dimensions of the new pads.

Pushing The Piston Back. Take an old pad, flip it over, and put it on the piston. Put a clamp on the caliper, using the pad to push the piston in evenly. Push the piston like this right to its starting point. If the piston does not go in easily, you have a problem. You may need to rebuild your piston. See a certified mechanic for this.

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 11

Re-install The Caliper. Do one quick clean on the caliper to make sure the guides are clean. We can now re-install the caliper over the pads.

We have to re-install the bolts and torque them to the specifications listed in your owners manual. Remember to use a torque wrench for the best results.

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 12

One Final Check. This is your last chance to check your work before you test it on the road. Check all of your brake hoses for leaks and cracks. Check the shims and how the new pads and rotor are sitting in the caliper. Remember, we don't want anything to be loose!

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 13

Put The Wheel On. Once you are satisfied with your work on the brake parts, it's time to put the wheel back on. Put the lug nuts on while the car is still jacked up. Do not try to fully tighten them yet, just enough so they are snug.

Remove Jack Stand And Lower Jack. Once the lugs are firmly on the wheel, its time to lower the jack. If you used a jack stand, raise the jack, move the jack stand, and the lower the jack. When the wheel is on the ground, tighten the lugs using a torque wrench to the specified torque for your model of car.

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 14

Don't Drive Away Yet! Remember to top up your brake fluid, now is the best time to check this as you are thinking about your brakes.

Removing Brake Rotors: Step 15

Important! The piston of your caliper is in the starting position. This means that you have to get in the vechicle and pump the brakes about 3 or 4 times until the pedal comes up and feels firm to touch. If you don't do this, you won't have any brakes!

If you have any questions about the procedure or the best parts to use for your specific vechicle, feel free to contact us. We are here to serve you! Click Here To Contact Us.

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