Tired of paying $300-600 dollars for a brake job? Do you have an hour and $35-100 for parts? Then you can do a DIY brake job.  Here is what you will need:

• Brake Pads
• Rotors (Might not need to be replaced)
• Brake lube
• Hydraulic jack and jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Lug nut wrench
• Socket wrench set
• C Clamp
• 12" of wire or rope
• Anti-seize dressing
• Old clothes
• Disposable gloves
• Rags or shop towel

I will be describing how to do a brake job on front disc brakes.

• First, loosen, but do not remove the lug nuts on the front wheels
• Now jack the front end up and place the jack stands under the vehicle to elevate the front wheels off the pavement
• Place the wheel chocks behind the rear tires
• Remove the lug nuts and the wheels
• Place the lug nuts in a safe spot and put the wheels under the front end to backup the jack stands

Now you are ready to do the brake job:

• Loosen and remove the bolt (lower bolt usually) that holds the caliper (the brake assembly)
• The upper bolt is usually a pin that if you lift the caliper, you can slide the caliper out
• Use some rope or wire to hang the caliper from the suspension spring (DO NOT let it hang by the brake line)
• Pop out the old brake pads and be sure not to lose any shims or clips attached
• Inspect the rotor (disc) and decide if you will: replace it, have it resurfaced, or leave it alone (Most times resurfacing is best)
• Remove the rotor and take it to NAPA Auto parts and get it resurfaced (About $15 each rotor)
• Replace the rotors when done
• Now get the new brake pads out and get ready to replace them
• Use the C clamp and one of the old pads to push the pressurized cylinder back into the caliper
• Apply brake lube to any spots that will be metal to metal contact (To avoid squealing brakes)
• DO NOT get any brake lube on the rotor or the actual pad itself (the fibreous part of the pad)-- if you do, then wipe it clean
• Put any shims or clips back in place on the pads
• Position the pads into the assembly (You may have to do some wiggling, but it will fit) and be sure the fibreous pads face in towards the rotor
• Apply brake grease to the pin on the caliper
• Slide the pin back into the hole and lower the caliper (assembly) down over the rotor
• Dress the threads of the bolt with anti-seize dressing
• Insert and tighten the bolt
• Turn the rotor slightly (It will be snug, but will turn)
• Put the wheel back on and finger tighten the lug nuts on both sides of the vehicle

Now, you are in the home stretch:

• Jack it up slightly and remove the jack stands
• Lower the vehicle
• Use the lug nut wrench to tighten the lug nuts
• IMPORTANT STEP: REPRESSURIZE THE BRAKES BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL 2-3 TIMES OR UNTIL IT GETS STIFF AGAIN
• Take the vehicle for a test drive
• If all is good, put away your tools and equipment

Time involved is about 30 minutes to setup/clean up and about 10-15 minutes per wheel-- the first time you do it will take the longest (probably double my times) as you learn to do it. This is another job that I have so down, that my wife is surprised it is done by the time she comes outside to check on me.

Finally, I highly recommend you become familiar with your owner's manual and strongly recommend getting the Haynes Auto Repair and Maintenance manual for your vehicle.