Brake Pad Removal and Fitment

[dpsubaru]

This is just a brief guide to brake pad removal and refitment (of new ones), this is done on an Impreza so rear calipers as well, not drums (when I replace the handbrake drum shoes will post this up but not a current plan).




They are held in by pins which understand most modern cars are so should be suitable for others – not sure about Ford and Vauxhall, the older ones (escorts, novas etc….) definitely had to remove, or pivot up, the calipers to replace brake pads but not sure about newer models.

In any case hope the below helps some (and apologies for the few photos).

Required tools:
Hammer (yes really v important)
Pair of regular pliers
2 screwdrivers
Broken screw bit or flat nail
Bar
Junior G clamp
Tin of copper ease
Small piece of emery paper (40 grit is best)

Rear Calipers:
Make sure on a level piece of ground and take the handbrake off, chock a piece of wood under the front wheels and then jack up, insert axle stand(s) under the back of the car and take of the back wheel (or wheels if doing both simultaneously).

Important note: The Impreza has a separate small drum for the handbrake cable and it is in no way attached to the caliper. Other types of car may have a handbrake cable attached to the caliper.



Next remove the spring at the rear of the calipers that is pushed through both pins, this will have some light tension on it but will come out easily, it is only to stop the pins slipping out. (put it somewhere safe as you need this again!)

Then remove firstly the bottom pin, give it a push with your finger first to see if it comes out. As this is very very unlikely to happened tap the bottom pin, at the back, lightly with a hammer, it should start to come out (its stiff because rust will have built up on the pin) – if it doesn’t move stop being a pussy and hit it harder. Once it is almost flush with the caliper then use the broken screw bit to help tap the pin further out. When this is out remove the anti squeal piece of steel (on the Impreza it is tucked under the top pin so have to waggle it a bit) – as this will release some additional tension on the top pin – then repeat as per the previous pin.

Now the brake pads are ready for coming out. Attach the pliers to pad and then waggle it until it comes out. If they have been in some time it maybe a bit stuck. If this is the case then use the holes that the pins went through and use the two screwdrivers to lever out.

Once the pads are out, on the Impreza in any case, there are lots of anti squeal and anti vibration thin pieces of steel (or aluminium), remove these and clean them up to get the rust off them.



Next , for painted calipers (like those pictured), use a cloth with some petrol and just rub round where the edge of the pads sit to allow easy fitment. For standard calipers use a wire brush to rub of the rust.

Now use the bar to push the pistons (on rear calipers normally only one of each side of the caliper) to make sure it moves smoothly. Sometimes this may take a fair bit of force (or even a lot) but becareful not to damage the rubber seal. If they refuse to move then the caliper may have to be stripped.

Once the piston is pushed right back the new pads can be put in (remember to put the ant squeal / vibration pieces back in as well). It will probably be a bit tight to gets the pads in and they may require some GENTLE tapping with a hammer to slide them in.

Find the pins that were removed earlier, rub the rust off them with the emery paper (this is so they slide in easier) and then put a light coating of copper ease on them – be careful not to get this on the pads or disks as the brakes will not work with copper ease on them. If the pin is cleaned properly it should just slide in. Put the top one in first, pushing it right through until the head of the pin on the outside it against the caliper then (after remembering to put the other piece of anti squeal metal in place) put the other pin in (also after putting copper ease on it). Finally put the spring back in (find the holes in the inside ends of the two pins for it to go through) and that’s it.

For Front calipers it is in some way easier than the rear as the steering can be turned to allow easily access to the inside of the pins to allow them to be tapped out easier.

However the Impreza has twin piston calipers on the front so when pushing the pistons back to get the calipers ready for the new pads if pushing the top one in the bottom one tends to move out. In this case use the junior g clamp to hold the bottom piston in while you depress the top one – it wont spring back out (unless far too much brake fluid in the system) – and once the top one is also depressed the G clamp can be removed and they will both stay where they are allowing easy insertion of the new pads.



Hope this is helpful, if anyone sees anywhere where i've gone wrong please let me know,

thanks
David

[waynne]

Great guide there, thanks for posting. The only thing I can spot is that pistons need to be rotated back in rather than pushed. It might vary from car to car though. It will be interesting to hear everyones opinions and suggestions and hopefully we'll get an good all cars overview!

[dpsubaru]

The Scoobys are just pushed back - if remembering correctly its the same on Escorts and Novas,

[waynne]

Its probably a VAG thing then!

[MasterAuron]

Punto fronts are pushed, rears are twisted IIRC.

[waynne]

Anyone fancy adding a how to twist them back in post?

[turbonutter69]

Originally Posted by waynne

Anyone fancy adding a how to twist them back in post?

On my Primera I had to use grips to twist them back into position. Although it can be very difficult. I ended up stripping the brakes and greasing the piston up to help it.

[pgarner]

you get clamps that rotate it back as you turn them much like the g - clamp.

[pikey motorsports]

not a vag thing when it comes to mk2 golfs, they just push back in too...

[Yugguy]

I've recently bought myself a windback tool but in the past just used a flat-bladed chisel head gripped with an adjustable wrench.

[MasterAuron]

Sticky this too?

[turbonutter69]

What our members want we deliver.
Done for ya MA.

[MasterAuron]

Schaweeeet. I still think dedicated guide section though or at least tidy up this forum

[turbonutter69]

I do intend on having a tidy up soon.

[waynne]

Agreed, a lot of these posts can go into the tech forum. We can also have sub forums in guides for engine, suspension, brakes, wheels etc... to make it easy to find the real DIY guide threads.