Brake Repair Tools for DIY Mechanics

Today’s “do it yourself” attitude in America is the result of two things. First, the wealth of knowledge available to us from the Internet has made doing it yourself a lot easier than it used to be. Also, the recent downturn in the economy has had many Americans trying to do anything they can to save money. Although most people may not be skilled enough to perform most types of brake repair, changing the brake pads is something that most people can do with a little hard work, an afternoon and a few inexpensive, simple tools. In this article, we will talk about a few of the tools necessary to perform a brake pad replacement and how they are used properly.

The first tool necessary for properly replacing worn brake pads, as well as anything else on your car, is a simple mechanic's tool set. Although a huge set of mechanic's tools may sound expensive, you can actually find many options for under $100 these days. A good set includes several sizes of open-ended wrenches in metric and standard sizes. It will also include several standard and metric sockets in 1/4, 3/8 or ½” sizes with the appropriate socket wrenches. A good set also usually includes several extenders and adapters to make use of the socket wrench easier. Most sets include a handy carrying case to keep all the parts together and clean.

Now that you have your good set of mechanic's tools, the next most important tools you’ll need for changing brake pads is normal tire changing tools. A jack is needed to jack the car up. The jack that comes with your car will work, but an aftermarket floor jack is preferred. The floor jack will allow you to jack the car in less than half the time, and it will be more secure once in the air. You’ll need a jack stand to hold the car in the air once jacked up as well. You will also need a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts. The factory lug wrench will do, but if you can’t find it, you can find an inexpensive 4 headed lug wrench at an auto parts store.

The last tool needed for most brake pad replacements is a c-clamp for holding the calipers in when reinstalling them. Once you get the tire off and uninstall the caliper, you’ll need to grease the new pads and reinstall them into the calipers. Then you can use the c-clamp to hold the pressure of the caliper back when installing it on the rotor.

Purchasing a few inexpensive tools from the auto parts store will allow you to perform many tasks involved in simple brake repair. Once you have the tools, you’ll save money by not paying an expert to do simple tasks involved in brake repair.