I’ve heard it’s not too hard to change brake pads.
I change my own oil and filter. I’ve replaced an alternator. But that’s all the experience I have.
How hard would it be for me to change my brake pads?
Whats the best way to learn?
Hi Matevague:
If everything else is fine, then just replacing the pads can be straightforward.
The question then becomes, does the job need something more than just pads? Does it need new rotors, or cleaning out and lubricating stuck caliper slide pins, or new calipers, or new flex hose leading to the caliper?
Is the brake fluid sufficiently old such that it needs replacement?
Do you have someone knowledgeable who can look over your shoulder to make sure you both replace the pads correctly and that nothing else is needed?
The rear pads on your Toyota Rav4 will likely need to have the ebrake motor retracted, to enable you to remove the pads. There are multiple youtube videos that can show you how to do that.
Edit: I assume you have a Toyota Rav4 because it’s listed that way in the header of this reply.
It would help us all if you could reply with the exact model, year, and mileage of the vehicle you’re referring to.
Thank you
If you’ve changed an alternator, you have some skills
Do you have a jack, jack stands and a good size c clamp?
Can we assume you have a 3/8" drive ratchet, extensions and sockets . . . Metric
Also a 1/2" drive breaker bar and the socket to remove your lug nuts . . . I’m guessing 21mm
Have you watched several videos on this?
Gotta start somewhere. A1 auto has some good videos and by mechanics. I’d suggest a factory manual or at least a Haynes. There are some things like cleaning and lubing the caliper pins that may be missed. Also opening the bleed screw as you retract the piston is important to not send old fluid up the line. Reading will make sure you have the right tools and brake grease on hand.
Are you asking about the front brake pads or rear brake pads or shoes depending on the year… Some rear calipers have the e-brake built into the caliper and require a special tool in order to compress the piston back into the caliper, although I think most (maybe all) RAV4’s have separate e-brakes (if manual), some manufactures now a days are using electric motors to operate the e-brakes and those require a scanner and a special tool to be able to compress the rear caliper piston…
Now for some/most of us older guys on here, drum brakes are fairly easy to replace, but for some reason, I have seen younger mechanics get their butts kicked trying to replace drum brakes… lol
So give us all the details (including why you think you need brakes) for your vehicle and if you are trying to replace the fronts, backs or both… Year, make, model, trim level and engine.. And if hybrid…
In this case, YouTube can be your friend, just watch lots of different videos cause there are some idiots out there making videos… Maybe even post a video you think is good on here for us to watch to make sure it is legit… Just make sure it is for your vehicle as the front brakes on my Toyota truck are wayyy different then the ones on your RAV4…
5 kids - rural cabin - asking if one can change brake pads that never done that . Sounds like a disaster in waiting.
Another thing, no disrespect, but are you strong enough to properly tighten the caliper bracket if you replace the rotors and then the wheels??
If unsure, then you will need a torque wrench to confirm you have it properly torqued, it is always a good idea to use a torque wrench when tightening lug nuts… My petite daughter has done a few brake jobs, including a friends, I always supervise and go behind her to confirm the bracket bolts are tight enough…
