How to Replace Brake Rotors

Brake rotors are metal discs that have pads attached to them, and the friction of the pads and rotors cause the vehicle to brake and slow down. After wear and tear and miles being put on the car, the rotors will have to be replaced over time due to being damaged. Bad rotors will not allow for your brakes to stop properly, and need to be replaced as soon as possible.

Materials Needed:

• New Rotors


• Jack and jack stands


• Lug wrench


• C-clamp


• Screwdriver


• Heavy rubber mallet or hammer


• Silicon-based lubricant


• Break cleaner


• Rags

1. Raise you car off of the ground using a jack and use jack stands to support the weight of your car. Remove the wheels from the car to get to the brakes.


2. Loosen the calipers using a screwdriver, and then remove them from your vehicle. Once the calipers are removed, slide the brake pads off to remove them.


3. Locate the 2 caliper mounting brackets bolts. Use a wrench and turn it counter-clockwise to dislodge the bolts and remove them from the mounting bracket. Remove the caliper mounting brackets once the brackets are removed.


4. Remove the brake rotors, and if they appear to be stuck use a rubber mallet or hammer to tap them loose.


5. Take the slide pins off of the caliper. Lubricate the slide pins using a silicon-based lubricate. This will allow the slide pins to shift easily on the caliper. Also, put some lubricant on the sliding plates for the brake pads to help them move easily and to decrease the noise.


6. Spray the new rotors with break cleaner to help get rid of the excess grime. This also helps keep the rotors from rusting. Wipe the brake cleaner from the rotors using the rags.


7. Place the new rotors on the vehicle through the wheel studs. Replace the 2 caliper mounting bracket bolts that you took off earlier. To decrease noise that is caused when the brake pads vibrate, lubricate the back of the new brake pads.


8. Put the new brake pads into the caliper mounting bracket, and wipe away any excess lubricant from the rotors. Compress all of the caliper pistons using a C-clamp.


9. Replace the caliper over the brake pads, and then line up the holes to replace the bolts.


10. Install the wheels back on the car, remove the jack stands and then lower the car. Before driving your car make sure that you pump the brakes a few times.