Auto Car Ride.com

The Neophyte’s Guide To Replacing Car Brake Pads

Your braking system relies heavily on the pads that apply pressure to the rotors. Due to continuous use, they can wear down, which will make them less capable of applying the necessary pressure. As a result, you’ll need more space in order to stop your vehicle. In emergency driving situations during which you need to stop suddenly to avoid colliding with a car, pedestrian, or structure in front of you, this can pose a major safety issue.

Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to replace your brake pads. If you have the proper tools, you can remove the old ones and put the replacements on without the help of a mechanic. Below, I’ll provide a step-by-step tutorial for doing the job yourself.

Safety And Tools

Your safety (and the safety of anyone who is helping you) is the most important factor. In order to perform the work, you’ll need to lift your vehicle onto sturdy jack stands. Don’t use stands that seem rickety or wobbly. If your car slips, it can be deadly.

Before you begin, make sure you have the right equipment. You’ll need a lug wrench, an adjustable wrench, and a hammer. Also, if you don’t already own one, consider buying a C-clamp. You may not need it, but it will be there in the event you do. You should also have a set of Allen wrenches nearby.

Before raising your vehicle on the jack stands, break the lug nuts. It’s much easier to do it when your car is on the ground rather than struggling with the lugs when it’s raised.

Remove The Lugs And Calipers

Once your automobile is off the ground, take the lug nuts off. Then, remove the wheels so you have a clear view of the calipers. You’ll see two lug bolts that are near the top of the brake disc. Once the bolts are off, you should be able to jiggle the caliper and move it slightly upward and out. This will give you clearance to take the brake pads off.

Remove The Pads

Before taking them off, look at the assembly. You’ll probably see some metallic clips that are holding things together. Make a mental note because you’ll need to replace everything. Once the caliper has been removed, the pads should slide out easily. If they put up any resistance, give them a few light taps with the hammer to loosen them. After you have removed them, slide the replacements into position. Be sure to refasten any clips that you detached during the process of taking the old parts out.

As your brake pads wear out, a piston inside each caliper makes adjustments in order to apply sufficient pressure and ensure you have the stopping power you need. You’ll need to recalibrate it with your C-clamp so it fits over your replacements. After recalibrating the piston, the last step is to replace the caliper, wheel, and lug nuts.

The entire job of putting the placement brake pads on isn’t complicated. As long as you take a methodical approach, you can perform the work within a couple of hours.

Auto Car Ride

Related posts

• No related posts.

Protecting Your Car From Catalytic Converter Theft

Even though your vehicle’s exhaust system performs an important job, few drivers give it much thought until one of the parts fails. Your muffler, sensors, manifold, and tailpipe are all susceptible to failure, but can continue doing their respective jobs for years. A new trend has emerged over the past few years which is driving motorists to their local repair garages. Catalytic converters have become the popular target of thieves.

Below, I’ll explain why this component has become a favorite item for the unscrupulous. We’ll also take a look at who is most vulnerable to having it stolen. Lastly, I’ll provide a few tips for minimizing the danger.

Why Thieves Steal This Component

Catalytic converters are manufactured from a variety of materials. Among them are precious metals such as rhodium and palladium. In the same way that gold prices fluctuate, so too, do the prices for an ounce of rhodium and palladium. For example, an ounce of platinum (another precious metal found in this part) often commands prices above $1,000 an ounce.

Thieves realize this. They know that stripping this part can fetch up to $150 from scrapyards and $300 from various metal buyers. What’s more, with a few tools (i.e. a pry bar, reciprocating saw, and a sturdy jack), stealing it can be accomplished quickly and easily. With little risk and a potentially high financial reward, thieves are swiping them from vehicles in broad daylight. Unfortunately, replacing a single catalytic converter can cost several hundreds of dollars.

Who Is At Risk?

Every vehicle is at risk, especially those which use more than one catalytic converter. That said, SUVs and trucks tend to be targeted more often by bandits. The reason is twofold. First, SUVs and trucks are often higher off the ground than sedans. Second, the parts and systems are often less crowded. As a result, there is more room for thieves to maneuver under the vehicle which makes it easier for them to strip the cat.

It’s worth emphasizing that although trucks and SUVs are targeted more often, it is relatively easy to remove this part from any vehicle, even sedans.

How To Prevent Theft

There’s no foolproof way to secure a catalytic converter and rebuff every attempt to steal it. But, there are preventative steps you can take to make your car, truck, or SUV a less appealing target for bandits. For example, try to park your vehicle in a garage overnight. When you’re forced to park outside, try to do so in an area that has plenty of light and traffic. A thief is less likely to spend a few minutes under your car if he (or she) is exposed to other drivers. Also, consider investing in an alarm system that is triggered through a shock or motion sensor.

As long as catalytic converters are manufactured with precious metals and are easy to remove, they will be the target of thieves. By taking a few preventative measures, you can help ensure your cat stays attached to your vehicle.

Auto Car Ride

Related posts

• No related posts.