1. Park your car on a level surface and in a shady area. You want to be comfortable when you’re doing this type of job.

2. Put blocks under the rear wheels if you’re changing the front brakes. This will keep the car from rolling when you jack the front end up.

3. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheels. Find a part of the frame underneath the front end to place the jack. Lift up the front end enough so that you can remove the tire.

4. Place jack stands underneath the vehicle.

5. Finish removing the lug nuts and remove both wheels. Set them off to the side and place the lug nuts in a small container so you don’t lose them.

6. Remove the calipers. There is typically a bolt holding the calipers in place. Simply loosen the bolt and slide it out of the caliper assembly.

7. Inspect the pads to determine what’s holding them to the caliper. They usually have clips or bolts attaching them to the caliper. Remove whatever is holding them together. It’s always a good idea to work on one side at a time so you can see how it’s put together on the other side.

8. Inspect the rotors next. These are the parts of the brakes that the pads rub against to stop the car. If the rotors are smooth, they should be fine. If, however, they have deep groves, you’ll have to replace them. In some cases, minor grooves can be “turned” by a local auto parts store, but that’s more of a judgment call.

9. Take the parts to the auto parts store and get identical parts. You’ll need brake pads and brake pad grease at the very least. If you plan to change the rotors, you’ll need those, too.

10. Before replacing the pads, you’ll need to move the piston back to its open position. This part is located near the backside of the caliper. It needs to be moved to its open position to accommodate the extra thickness of the new brake pads. Depending on how old it is, you may be able to do it with your hand or you may need to use a pair of vice grips or pliers to move it back into place.

11. If you’re replacing the rotors, do that first. They should slide on and off fairly easily.

12. Spread brake grease on the backside of the brake pads. The backside is that part that doesn’t come into contact with the rotors. It serves as a lubricant between the metal of the pads and the calipers to reduce heat in the area.

13. Think back to how the assemblies came apart and reassemble them in that way. With any luck, you might be able to finish the job in only about a couple hours.

14. Pump the brakes a few times to get the fluid back into the line. Take the car for a short test drive on some back roads to ensure it stops fine.

See how easy that was? Just imagine how much better you’ll feel when you don’t have to run to the local mechanic every time you need new brakes!