Changing the Brake Pads

We had abandoned our trip to the TV4x4 Club day at Speen due to a horrible grinding noise that could be heard and felt through the brake pedal. The usual reason for this is the front pads are worn. So here is a simple guide to this straight forward job.

 

First of all secure the car, release the wheel nuts and jack up the car. This then reveals the brake caliper, this is the passenger side (nearside) caliper (UK).

 

Using a 12mm spanner, release the front caliper bolt (the left is the front of the car in this picture)

The caliper then opens up using the rear bolt as a hinge. The anti-squeal plate has dropped out in this picture as I opened the caliper. The pads are retained by small spring clips, a simple pull on the pads (horizontally away from the disk) should remove them (or gently prise out the pads with a small screwdriver - do not remove the spring clips) 

Here are the new pads compared with the old, note that ADK84224 are an aftermarket equivalent of the Suzuki part. The old are worn down to the metal. 

OOPS! 

The new pads then simply push into place held by the spring clips. Place the anti-squeal shims in place, smear a bit of Copper Grease on the rear of the shims to help reduce squeal.

Now the Piston has to be moved back, I use a G-Clamp and wind the piston back in until its flush.

Now swing the caliper back into position and bolt up the caliper bolt.