How To Change Brake Pads On 2000 Toyota 4runner

Oil changes, tire rotations and brake pad replacements are all of import pieces of vehicle maintenance. Most manufacturers recommend changing the oil and rotating the tires every three,000 to 5,000 miles, but what virtually the brake pads? It turns out that the answer to the question "when should I supercede my brake pads" is not equally unproblematic.

How Long Do Brake Pads Last?

It's difficult to predict exactly how long brake pads last. Their life expectancy depends on several factors, including the blazon of restriction pads you install, route conditions and driving habits. Some people need to replace their restriction pads after 25,000 miles, but others wait as long every bit 75,000 miles.

How Driving Conditions Affect Brakes

Restriction pads work by applying friction to the brake rotor. As you press the brake pedal, yous push the pads down on the spinning rotor. This slows the spinning motion until information technology stops completely. If you press the restriction frequently or similar to wait until the last minute before using the brakes, you vesture away the pads quicker than someone who brakes gradually.

Driving in the urban center wears away restriction pads faster than driving on the highway. Each time you stop at a finish sign or traffic light, you lose a bit of the restriction pad. Y'all're also more probable to brake abruptly in the city, especially if someone in front of you lot of a sudden changes lanes. If y'all drive in the mountains or pull a trailer, you likewise need to supercede your brake pads more frequently. The extra pressure on the vehicle makes your brakes work harder.

Brake Pad Materials

The type of brake pad you choose affects how oftentimes you have to replace them. Organic brake pads tend to wear away the quickest, peculiarly if you bulldoze at high speeds or similar to "ride the restriction." However, they remain a popular choice because they're more than affordable and less noisy than metal brakes. Ceramic or metal restriction pads tend to last longer than organic brake pads, but they cost more money.

Signs of Worn Brake Pads

One of the about commons signs of worn restriction pads is a squealing or scraping noise when you printing the brake pedal. This happens considering of an indicator built into the restriction pad that makes noise when the pad wears away. If this progresses to a grinding sound, the pads may have worn away then much that the discs and calipers rub together.

You may notice other signs every bit y'all bulldoze. If the steering wheel vibrates when you lot printing the restriction pedal, there may be a problem with the brake pads. This as well happens when the rotors are warped, and so information technology's a proficient idea to have this checked as shortly as possible. Similarly, if the restriction pedal goes all the way to the flooring when y'all press information technology, it's fourth dimension to inspect the brakes.

How to Inspect Your Brakes

If you suspect your brake pads are wearing sparse, you can visually inspect them. Await through the spokes of the wheel and locate the brake pads sitting on top of the rotor, or brake deejay. Minimum thickness of the pads should exist at least one-quarter inch. If it looks like less textile is left, it'due south fourth dimension to go them inspected.

You can also ask your mechanic to check the brakes each fourth dimension you take the vehicle in for an oil change. Having a professional inspect the brakes every few months makes it possible to grab potential problems. This also saves you time since you can go the oil change and brake pad replacement done at the same fourth dimension.

Brake Pad Replacement: DIY or Mechanic

If you don't accept the time or want to save some money, you can replace your brakes on your own even if your vehicle has an ABS brake system. Brand sure you have the tools you demand to remove the caliper and caliper subclass to admission the brake pads. After taking out the erstwhile restriction pad, replace the retaining clips and insert the new pads. Then, reassemble the brakes.