Most Common Brake Installation Mistakes!

Check out these common brake installation mistakes! Whether you are a first time DIYer, or just need a review, Andy shows you some of the most common mistakes when it comes to brakes. He also explains the problems, and how to do it the right way!

Check out this playlist for more great tips and advice from Andy and the 1A Auto team!

Check out our playlist:

⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While 1A Auto strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. 1A Auto is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

[AAuto]

√ *Watch the Video*
√ *Do it Yourself*
√ *Save Money*

[samsorrentino]

I would just like to say that I think this dude did an excellent job, explaining clearly with a pleasant demeanor, and free from judgment or condescension. Well done man.

[pregaramen]

After replacement of the brake pads, one should always set the brake caliper pistons back, by pushing a few times on the brake pedal. Otherwise you are sure to get a no braking situation on the first step on your brake pedal which may be very dangerous and panicking.

[kylelode]

One thing to add: BEFORE compressing the caliper piston back into the caliper (in video at 7:30) I like to first use a tooth brush and some soapy water (dish soap) to clean off the rubber boot around the piston, otherwise you can push dirt back into the piston and ruin the rubber boot or the piston itself. ALSO, BE SURE the guide pins on the calipers are lubricated, (in the video at 4:21) alot of people miss this step, I like using Lubriplate grease (but any grease is better than nothing), if they are dry or rusty the calipers will not center themselves properly on the rotor and the brake pads will wear unevenly and or warp the rotors. Great video!

[johnroberts]

Thank you for the helpful hints! Here's one more: Do one side at a time. When reassembling, it's handy to have the other side as a reference on how things go back together. This is especially handy with drum brakes. It also prevents mixing RH & LH parts.

[tresfingeros]

As a retired mechanic, glad to see you young bucks help one another back in my day you became a apprentice ( and everything that applies) I have heard folks refer it as OJT even learning at home on the dairy..or if you could afford it, you went to school ... Take advantage of this means for communication ( y.t ) teach one another take what you learn and pass to the next apprentice. It would have been great in my time to have a visual manual instead of a 3 ft thick book and trust me the pages had smug marks, we didn't wear rubber gloves. I could ramble for ever ..thanks - bye

[karguy]

I've been doing my own brake work for fifty years, and I've restored eight classic cars. I still learned a few things from this video. Very well presented and very thorough. Thanks so much.

[paulwary]

Another tip I found out the hard way - when changing brake fluid, always use the ring end of the spanner to crack the nut. They are often very tight and the open ended spanner can damage the nut.

[kleankars]

You are by far the best teacher on any YouTube Automotive Channel. Your demeanor, your easy tone voice. I hope "Mike from 1A Auto" appreciates you and pays you plenty. Thank for all your videos.

[IGOPU]

One important point, do not let caliper hang by brake hose, use a hanger

[timzauto]

I don't think putting the pads on backwards is a mistake, I think it's someone who shouldn't be taking the wheels off ever period, lol.

[erichutchins]

Really informative, thank you. Another tip, probably already mentioned... Don't shake the bottle of brake fluid before use. Especially if your filling a dry system. It's a common reflex for most of us to shake a can or bottle of something we're about to use. Thanks again!! Lots of good comments!!

[slugglife]

To show my gratification for you making this video- I purchased rotors and pads from your company. Thank you guys for helping us save money. This inflation is killing us.

God Bless Y’all!!!!

[chrisniebauer]

Take a picture of the drum with hardware before you disassemble the springs. Each side is different and it will save a bunch of time.

[bigmike]

Great tips! Some things worth mention: always wear safety glasses, especially when wire-wheeling hub assemblies, fasteners, or banging on a stuck rotor/drum. Use a 3/8” torque wrench and torque the caliper bolts to spec. I CANNOT stress this enough as I’ve seen overzealous junior technicians sheer off the head of a caliper bolt from over tightening. If you are new to DIY, do one side at a time and take pics/video if necessary. This will save you if you have to step away to address something else. You may forget how things were taken apart. This is especially true if you’re working on replacing shoes on drum brakes. Lastly, don’t be afraid of using brake cleaner… it’s cheap and cleans 99.99% of any residue left behind on pads and shoes from your hands when reassembling. Cheers! 👍🏻

[lewesleydail]

I've never done my own brakes before. After watching this guy explain the do's and don'ts, I'm confident I can try myself and do a great job. This was a fantastic video! 👏

[oscarpaz]

As a hobby mechanic and someone mildly OCD, I found this video very satisfying. Even as some that has done brakes all his life, I found some additional takeaways of value to me. Cheers and Thank you ❤

[Jaylikescar]

Pump the brakes when you finish lol I put it in drive and almost hit a fence

[nathanurick]

At 55 I’m just now doing my first brake job so I truly thank you for sharing your mechanical knowledge.

[theSword-]

Make sure that the new pad tabs are gliding in the tracks freely. Since the steel parts of the pads are stamped out at the factory, they can be cut at an angle or have a bad edge causing them to hang up and not hit the disc flatly. You can file them or use a grinder to get them square enough to float. And THEN use the grease.