How do I change my brake pads?

I have an 02' OZ and I need to know how to change the brake pads. If anyone could tell me and show me pics/diagrams then that would be great, thank you.

I have an 08 Lancer so thats the only photos I have to reference. However it should be enough of a guide for you...


Check with your local autozone or pepboys for the correct pads. Its really all about what you personally want when it comes to the kind you get.
Make sure your pads and brakes have cooled down before you work on it.
Take off your wheels using the lug wrench provided with your car. Do not loosen all the way only to where it is no long tight.
Jack up your car. I would do this one side at a time. You can find your cars specific jack points in the manual.
Remove the wheels - Finishing loosening and remove the lug nuts. Pull the wheel straight out towards you to remove it. You should now be looking at the rotor (a large, flat metal disc) and the caliper (a large clamp-like device wrapped around the top of the rotor).
Remove the caliper bolts - There are many different ways that the caliper is held. For most vehicles, you will see between two and four bolts holding the caliper bracket onto the axle housing. Spray these bolts with WD-40 or some kind of lubircant to aid in removing them. Using the proper size wrench, loosen and remove the bolts.
Check the caliper pressure - The caliper should now move a slight amount if you shake it. If not the caliper is under pressure and it may fly off when you remove the bolts. Take extra precaution to not be in its path, whether it is loose or not.
Remove the caliper - Pull the whole caliper forward (toward the front of the car) off the rotor. The caliper will still be connected to the brake line. Hang the caliper carefully in the wheel well so that it doesn't drop to the floor or damage the brake line.
Squeeze back the piston - Remove the cap from brake fluid reservoir under your hood. Locate the two existing brake pads inside the caliper. Each pad is on a piston that extends as the pad wears. You will need to squeeze each piston back in. Place a caliper clamp or large C-clamp over one pad and the outside of the caliper. Over about 60 seconds, tighten the clamp so that the pad and piston squeeze down as far as possible.
Remove the pads - Note how each brake pad is attached. They typically snap or clip in with attached metal clips. Remove the pad. They may take a little force to pop out, so take care not to damage the caliper or brake line while getting them out.
Put the new pads on - Spread the special lubricant that came with your pads, (if it's not provided you can get it at any auto store,) on the metal parts on back of pad and the everywhere it comes in contact with the caliper. This will prevent a lot of annoying squeaking. Attach the new pads exactly the way the old ones were attached.
Check the brake fluid - Check your vehicle's brake fluid level and add some if necessary. Replace the brake fluid reservoir cap when finished.
Replace the caliper - Slide the caliper slowly back over the rotor, proceeding easily so as not to damage anything. Replace and tighten the bolts that hold the caliper in place.
Put the wheel back on - Slide the wheel back into place and hand tighten each of the lug nuts snug. Repeat steps above to other side.
Lower the car - With one side of the car supported by the jack, remove the block or stand on that side and slowly release the jack and to lower the car. Repeat for the other side so that both wheels are back on the ground.
Tighten the lug nuts - Moving in a "star" pattern, tighten one lug nut, then one across from it until each nut is fully tightened to torque specification.Make sure to break in your new pads. Slow stopping for the first couple hundred miles. Don't stomp on them
Hope this all helps. Post back if you need any more help or explanation

There's a nice tutorial here. It's 10 bucks to view it, but has a lot of pictures, so is worth it imo: http://lighthouse57.com/brakes.htm

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