Rick's Free Auto Repair Advice

The Ultimate Brake Job Parts List: What You Need to Know

Learn what brake job parts are required to do the job properly

You might think that all brake jobs include the same brake parts, but you’d be wrong. Some shops and DIYers just replace brake pads and call it a day, while other shops routinely replace or resurface the rotors, replace the brake pads, install new noise reduction shims and clips and use the recommended brake grease. Still other shops insist on replacing the brake calipers on every job, which is good for their bottom line at the expense of your bank account. Here’s the absolute minimum parts and services that should be done on every brake job.

The brake job parts that must be replaced

brake job parts list

• Brake pads

• new noise reduction shims

• new abutment hardware/anti-rattle clips

• new brake caliper pin boots

• If the brake rotor passes inspection (see this article) you can reuse them. If they don’t pass inspection, replace them with quality rotors (see this article on brake rotor quality).

• In most cases the brake caliper can be reused. The only time you should replace a brake caliper is if it’s leaking, the dust boot is torn or the caliper is providing uneven braking or release (not caused by corroded caliper slide pins). To learn more about brake calipers, see this post.

Choosing the right brake pads

Name brand brake pad manufactures usually offer at least three grades of brake pads for every vehicle; economy, OEM quality, and premium quality. If you’re getting a brake job just to get your car ready for sale or trade in, you can get away with installing economy brake pads. But if you are keeping the car, insist on at least OEM or premium brake pads. The increased price for premium brake pads is worth it. They’ll last longer, provide better braking and reduce brake noise.

 

©, 2016 Rick Muscoplat

 

 

Posted on by Rick Muscoplat



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