How to Replace Your Car's Brake Pads

Replace your brake pads with the Saturday Mechanic, Ben Wojdyla. Learn how to do it yourself with his step-by-step car repairs and upgrades.

Say so long to squealing, worn-out brakes. Associate auto editor Ben Wojdyla puts a VW Rabbit up on the lift at Pop Mech's Detroit garage to show you step-by-step how to:

* Remove calipers
* Retract pistons
* Inspect and install rotors and pads
* Remove excess fluid from the reservoir.

Follow Popular Mechanics associate auto editor Ben Wojdyla as he leads viewers, step by step, through repairs and upgrades on the Saturday Mechanic show. Got car questions? Email Ben, and he may answer them on the air.

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Each week, the Car and Driver YouTube Channel will launch episodes of The Full Hoon, Driver Rehab, Battle of the Beaters, Car and Driver: Tested, Popular Mechanics Saturday Mechanic, and Road & Track Presents.

[TYSON]

Ive done this a few times, I think a good tip would be to remove the brake fluid cap and put a rag over the top of it. So when you push back the piston, you don't cause any damage to the servo. That way you relieve built up pressure. GREAT VIDEOS by the way :)

[chuy]

BEN...I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO!!! IT SHOWED ME HOW SIMPLE IT WAS TO REPLACE MY CAR'S BRAKE PADS THAT I FINALLY DID FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY WHOLE LIFE. BEFORE FOR ME IT WAS REALLY IMPOSSIBLE, , I ALWAYS HAD TO PAY OR LOOK FOR HELP WITH MY FRIENDS..I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS VIDEO AND THE WORK YOU DO AND THE TIME YOU TAKE TO DO IT...THANK YOU VERY

[BFox]

Slide pins should ONLY be lubricated with silicone grease, so as not to damage the rubber that surrounds them. You might want to note that.

[DavidJones-chqq]

Automotive Engineering student​, finding this series really helpful with things I missed out on in class. Great work & thank you so much!!

[dom]

Anybody else see the dog above the breaks?!?!? Pause at 4:21 look I'

[SuperURBIN]

Love seeing everyone coming here cause daddy didn't teach us lol

[MarkSmith-eypg]

Watched this, did the work myself on my 350z and saved over $1600 which is what Nissan wanted to charge me!! Thanks!

[judyjonesbowman]

I believe the video was very well presented and accurate. The brake fluid issue is if you change the front and /or back brakes at different times you should change the fluid at that time and making it unnecessary to change the fluid again unless it is a few years between the front and back change, in that case change the fluid again. It is best though to change all the pads at the same time if it is possible. If you have never did your brakes before I recommend this one.

[georgekamau]

Really appreciate your patient and good teaching.... Kudos

[gordonbrown]

Did any one else spot the hidden dog in the video @4:19
also Awesome video. Great bit of explaining and demonstration. Also, I know lots of people think the safety side is silly but think it's great you are showing the best practice by having the gloves and glasses on.

[mexb]

nice, simple, good explanation, under budget, and good shots. Thanks

[edrandomed]

Nice, great reminders, and i liked that is was within a shorter video length of 6:24 Thanks!

[KennethMixson]

Here are a couple things to note. Make sure the master cylinder is not full when you press the piston back into the caliper or it will overflow. I find it better to place the old brake pad onto the piston before pressing it back into the caliper so you will have less chance of cracking the piston if you crank too hard on the c-clamp. Lastly, not all cars are set up to just press the piston back into the caliper. You need a special tool for some vehicles.

[chillychex]

My dad went to the store in Mexico. Thanks for the tutorial

[justjacqueline]

Its amazing how physically fit you have to be just to do these jobs.I will definitely be taking the car to the garage for new brakes.

[JanMichaelFranklin]

Good show. Many of us already know how to do this, but for the new enthusiast or DIY people out there, this is great!

[JRH]

Well done my friend very helpful information for whoever wants to change their car brake pads on their own...

[GUS]

Thanks for a great rundown on the procedure Ben. I'm going to have a crack at it and hopefully save some money

[Baerchenization]

OMG ! :) This got to be the only brake-how-to on Youtube that actually bothers with the proper torque spec for once :) Thumbs up for that!

[tylerrichards]

The only important thing that the video missed was watching brake fluid so that it does not overflow when compressing the piston with the c-clamp. If your reservoir is low enough this might not matter, but it's best to make sure this does not overflow, and also don't forget to top off the brake fluid after you're all done if you had to remove any to start with.