Replace Brake Discs yourself

Changing Brake Discs yourself – manuals and video tutorials

Helpful guides and tips on replacing Brake Discs
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Changing Brake Discs: step-by-step guides

Here you will find helpful guides and tips for replacing the Brake Discs on popular car models. Following the professional recommendations of our experts will help you to replace the Brake Discs yourself. Select your car in the selector and download free manuals and videos.
Changing Brake Discs: video tutorials

Most viewed video tutorials on the installation of Brake Discs

  • Universal
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    How to change rear brake discs and brake pads MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER 1 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
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    How to change front brake discs and front brake pads on BMW 5 E60 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
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    How to change rear brake discs and rear brake pads on VW PASSAT CC 1 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
  • Brake Discs replacement - tips for VW
    How to change front brake discs and front brake pads on VW PASSAT CC 1 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
  • How to solve the problem with MITSUBISHI front and rear Brake disc kit: video guide
    How to change front brake discs and brake pads Mitsubishi Outlander 1 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
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    How to change a front brake discs and front brake pads FORD FOCUS 3 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
  • Replacing Brake Discs yourself video instruction on TOYOTA COROLLA
    How to change rear brake discs and rear brake pads on TOYOTA COROLLA E120 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
  • How and when to replace Brake rotors front and rear MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS (W221): video tutorial
    How to change front brake discs and front brake pads on MERCEDES-BENZ S W221 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
  • Remove Brake disc slotted and vented online instructions
    How to change front brake discs and front brake pads on VW PASSAT B5+ TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
  • Brake Discs replacement - tips for OPEL
    How to change front brake discs and front brake pads on OPEL ASTRA H TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
  • How to solve the problem with FORD front and rear Brake disc kit: video guide
    How to change front brake discs and front brake pads on FORD FOCUS 2 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
  • How to change a rear brake discs and rear brake pads on MERCEDES-BENZ S W220 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
    How to change a rear brake discs and rear brake pads on MERCEDES-BENZ S W220 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
  • How to change rear brake discs and rear brake pads on BMW 5 E60 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
    How to change rear brake discs and rear brake pads on BMW 5 E60 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
  • How to change rear brake discs and brake pads BMW 3 E90 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
    How to change rear brake discs and brake pads BMW 3 E90 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
  • How to change front brake discs and front brake pads on HONDA JAZZ 1 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
    How to change front brake discs and front brake pads on HONDA JAZZ 1 TUTORIAL | AUTODOC
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Changing your front and rear Brake Discs - best practice guide

Video instructions for changing the Brake Discs – playlist by AUTODOC CLUB

  • Change the Brake Discs yourself – free instructional video
    Play all playlists
    How to change brake discs tutorial | Step-by-step video guide
DIY Brake Discs troubleshooting guide
Advices on car maintenance
  • Brake rotors replacement and many more - free video tips
    4 Signs of Brake Disc Wear | AUTODOC
  • Brake disc replacement tricks
    BRAKE PADS & BRAKE DISCS WEAR | AUTODOC
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    Top 5 brake repair mistakes | AUTODOC tips
  • Disc brake set replacing tips
    Brake discs overheating: why it happens and how to fix it | AUTODOC's tips
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Frequently asked questions about replacing brake discs

When should brake discs be replaced?

The service life of the front brake discs is on average 50,000–70,000 km, and 70,000–100,000 km for the rear ones. However, sometimes they will need to be changed earlier. New discs need to be installed if they wear down to the minimum thickness specified in the vehicle’s service manual. It is recommended to measure this with a vernier caliper once every 10,000 km. Also, cracks and chips, uneven wear and warping indicate that the components need to be replaced.

The procedure for checking the brake disc wear:

  1. Jack up the corresponding vehicle axle.
  2. Remove the wheel.
  3. Measure disc thickness with a vernier caliper. For the most accurate results, it is better to perform measurements in 12–15 points around the disc at the distance of 12–15 mm from its edge. You should get nearly equal readings.
  4. Compare the results with the minimum allowable thickness specified in your vehicle manual.
  5. Inspect the disc surface visually. Deep scores, uneven wear, cracks and severe corrosion indicate that the components need replacement.

There are also indirect symptoms to let you know that your brake discs need checking or replacement. For instance, if you feel wobbling, grinding, rattling or vibrations during braking, this may indicate that the parts are warped. In this case, you might need to take additional measurements, for instance, with the help of a dial indicator. Before proceeding with the measurements, thoroughly clean the wheel hub and the disc. Mount the device on a stand and position its spindle perpendicular to the disc surface about 5 mm away from its edge. The tip of the spindle should contact the surface. Then, rotate the wheel hub. The dial indicator should not show the deflection of over 0.06 mm.

Weak and uneven braking, as well as a vibrating brake pedal, often indicate uneven wear of the friction surface of the discs.

Do I need to replace brake discs and pads together?

When replacing brake discs, it is recommended to install new pads at the same time. The old ones will have developed a wear pattern that corresponds to the old discs. Therefore, using these pads again risks premature wear of the discs and a decrease in braking performance. How long the procedure will take depends on the vehicle design and your mechanical skills. On average, installing new brake discs and pads takes from 15 minutes to 3 hours.

Can I only replace one brake disc?

No, you cannot. Brake discs should only be replaced in pairs on an axle. Otherwise, due to a smaller thickness of the old part and, therefore, different lengths of the piston stroke, the brake mechanisms will fail to act simultaneously, which will lead to instability of the vehicle when braking.

Is driving with worn brake discs dangerous?

Yes, it is quite dangerous, that is why worn discs should be replaced immediately. A brake disc that is too thin is unable to dissipate heat efficiently, which can make it crack or break after overheating. As a result, the wheel will lock and the car will skid. Uneven wear and deep grooves reduce the area of contact with the pad, which leads to decreased braking performance. Warping will cause lateral run-out which leads to uneven wear of the part’s working surface and increased travel of the brake pedal (“spongy brakes”). As for corrosion, the disc can still be used if it is insignificant, however, you should clean its surface by pressing the brake pedal all the way down while driving. But if the braking performance dropped significantly because of corrosion or the braking mechanisms work incorrectly, the components should be replaced as soon as possible.