When To Change Brake Discs

The brake discs in vehicles are designed so that the car can go at a lower speed and even be able to stop it when necessary. It is, therefore, of vital importance in a vehicle. The brake discs must therefore be known that they are in the area of ​​the wheels. They are next to the hub and what happens when the driver steps on the brake is the brake disc joins the brake pads and therefore immediately stops the car or slows down.

Just so you know, there are two kinds of brake discs. There are those who are fans and there are the so-called solid ones. What differences do they have from each other? That is why it is so extremely important that both the brake pads and the brake discs are always in perfect condition and that good maintenance is followed under the supervision of a professional. The one with a fan supports heat and high temperatures much better since it can gradually eliminate heat when the vehicle is braked. We mention all this, because when you take the car to the workshop and you have to change the brake discs, you must take into account to replace them. You can’t go wrong with brake pads. Although they go hand in hand and are essential for the car to brake properly and avoid accidents, it is not the same as brake discs.

The brake pads, for example, with the continuous use of the vehicle and the kilometers suffer much more than the brake discs and the pads if they must be changed more frequently. The discs, on the other hand, although they also wear out, last much longer (of course, always if the vehicle is well maintained and the driver makes good use of the brakes).

If you do not have notions of mechanics, you will have to take your car to the workshop and have a mechanic change your brake discs, with the consequent expense that this entails. But if you have certain notions, you are patient and you are crafty, we will tell you how you can change the brake discs yourself to save the money of taking it to the workshop.

Whenever revisions are made to the car, it must be taken into account that the brake disc must have a specific thickness. They must always have a minimum thickness, if that thickness varies less, they must be changed. But since they don’t always wear out equally, you have to use a device (professionals will do it in the workshop) where they will tell you whether or not they should be replaced.

Instructions

1. First of all, you have to take a look at the mileage. Why do we say it? Because always, after 20,000 kilometers, you have to change them. If you take the car for a review, they will be the ones who will tell you and see if they should be changed or not, but if you do not plan to do so, look at the kilometers and depending on the amount you have, keep that in mind.
2. We tell you how to change the brake discs to the car yourself. First, you have to raise the car a bit (which is why having a hydraulic jack is a must).
3. If your car has the brake pad wear indicator option, you should disconnect it beforehand. Then change the brake pads and discs and when you have assembled everything, reconnect it.
4. When the car is raised in the area you want and need, remove the wheel on that side.  Before doing so, turn the steering toward the side of the wheel you are removing. If it’s the right, the right, and it’s the left, then that side. Loosen and remove the screws.
5. Take the key in the shape of a cross, which will help you to remove the bolts from the wheel and be able to remove it.
6. Once you have removed the tire, you will finally see the brake system.
7. In order to remove the brake discs, you have to remove the brake pads first. It is interesting to observe how they are and also change them if they are worn.
8. You should now remove the brake caliper. To do this, loosen the brake caliper nuts (which you will see are two) with the flat key. It is possible that you find some covers that are intended to protect them. If so, take the screwdriver and remove the caps.
9. The worn and/or old brake disc must be removed and replaced with a new one. When you have removed the brake caliper you will surely see a screw. That screw is the one that is attached to the brake disc support. Well take it off. Take the screwdriver and remove the brake disc.
10. Now you can fit the new brake disc. Take the new brake disc, place it (as the previous one was) and again, place the screws, screw it in and when it is well attached, that’s it.
11. Always try to clean what may have been stained and make sure before putting the brake caliper back on. To clean it well, use a brake cleaner. This will help keep the brakes from making annoying noises over time. The longer we make sure they are in good condition, the better.
12. When you finish having cleaned the brake discs well, you must place the brake pads. If you decide to change the pads because they are worn. They don’t have much complication, but, above all, make sure they are well placed and well attached.  Remember how you found them when you removed them and that’s how you should put them back.
13. Next, fit the brake calipers. Pick it up and put it back in its place. Make sure it is well placed and tight.
14. Finally, put the car wheel back on. You will have to take the cross-shaped key again (which you used before), place the wheel and put it in its place. Check that it is well placed, place the screws and make sure that they are well fixed.
15. Basically, everything is to repeat the steps in reverse.
16. Now, remove the hydraulic jack (or whatever you have used to help you raise the car on that side and be able to maneuver without problems). Remove it and leave the car as if it had no problem, touching the ground.
17. When everything is assembled, do not forget to pump the brake. How do you do this?  Get in the car and press the brake several times. After pressing several times, press once all the way down. With this, what we will achieve is that everything that is the brake system is well adjusted and works without problems.
18. It is important once the brakes are changed and they are new, to make them roll. Surely, you have heard it on some occasion. You have to do kilometers with the car. Nor is it a matter of traveling halfway around the world, but it is generally recommended to do between one hundred and two hundred kilometers. But that yes, despite driving as you have done so far, try during this filming not to have to brake like a beast even many times, because you could damage the brakes and have to repair them much sooner than you would have needed at first. If you want them to last longer and in better condition, drive properly and safely.

What do you need:

• Car.
• Brake discs to replace the old ones.
• Some gloves to protect the hands.
• A toolbox where the following should not be missing: a cross wrench, which will be needed to remove the wheel from the car. A key that will be flat and is used to loosen the brake caliper.
• Screwdriver. It will only serve to pry and be able to remove the brake pads and reach the brake discs.
• A brake cleaner. This will serve to clean and remove all the dirt that is there and to be able to protect the new brake discs a bit.

Tips

For the vehicle to have good maintenance, the professional will always check every time the brake pads are changed, that the brake discs are also in good condition. In this way we will avoid that they end up spending excessively, that the car does not brake as it should and that in the long run we end up paying more for having more problems. There are no great tricks to make the brake discs last forever, because they have to be changed, even if we don’t want to, due to wear. Obviously, if it is known, that a car that travels more through the city will wear more than another that only does it on the highway. Also the driving mode, the braking, etc.

So that the brake discs, like the brake pads and the entire braking system in general can last as long as possible in its best condition, it is always advisable to have some knowledge of prevention in circulation. And we are talking about such basic things (which are not always taken into account) such as the fact of always going downhill or braking. The ideal is instead of using only the brakes, use the gearbox. It is not nonsense, it has been shown that brakes in perfect condition will last much longer.