How To Change Rear Rotors
Brake is a mechanical device incorporated with the wheel system of vehicles to inhibit motion when the need arises. It uses friction to convert extra kinetic energy into other forms of energy such as heat. The brake assembly consists of just two parts; brake pads and brake rotor.
The brake rotor is attached permanently to the wheel and moves along with it. When you press the brake pedal, the brake pads squeeze and try to stop the rotor from rotating.
Due to the friction the brake motors wear out with time and needs to be replaced, or else the performance of the brakes will degrade. Due to frequent physical contact, the rotor surface also gets rough and such a rotor will lead to rapid pad degradation. The thickness of the rotor also reduces with time and it lowers the braking power of the vehicle.
Instructions
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1
Park your car in an open space with enough room to maneuver on either sides of the car. Move the gear in the parking mode and apply parking brakes. Loosen the nuts on the rear wheels with a wrench or a spanner. Now use a jack to lift the rear side of the car till the wheels become an inch or so clear of the ground.
Though not necessary, but it is always safe to use back up stands in case the hydraulic system of the jack fails; to protect both you and the vehicle from any harm. -
2
Remove the nuts from the tires and take out the rear wheel. You will see a closed metal container with two holes in it. Push the required bolts through those holes and the assembly will come out. Use WD-40 to remove rust and soften the brake assembly.
Image Courtesy: auto.howstuffworks.com
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3
Inspect the old motor and decide whether a change is actually required or not. If the old rotor is visibly thin and has a rough surface, then it’s time to replace the rotor. Unpack the new rotor and spray it with a brake cleaner. Also clean out the brake pads with the help of a sand paper.
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4
Take out the old motor after unscrewing the bolts and replace it with the new one. Put the metal casing back on it and use a hammer to fully press it against the brake case.
Put the wheel back in its place and use the wrench to mildly tighten the nuts. Take the car off the jack and now tighten the nuts to satisfaction.
