First of all I will cover the type of rear disc brakes mainly found on Commodores and late model Falcons. They have the handbrake mechanism set up as a drum brake inside the rotor. If you need to adjust the handbrake please read the Handbrake adjusting post. Replacement of the brake pads on this set up is very easy. Once again check the thickness of your rotors to determine if you need to replace them as well.

 Removal of the brake pads is as simple as removing the 15mm bolt  from the bottom caliper slide. You will have to hold the caliper slide from turning with a 17mm open end spanner. Once you have the bolt removed pull the caliper up from the bottom and slide the caliper out of the bracket. Remove the brake pads and push the piston back into the caliper using either method described in the front pad replacement post.

One of the most important aspects of replacing brake pads is ensuring that the new pads have the best chance of a long life. Nothing worse than one side wearing down completely and the other side having plenty of meat left on the pad. One cause of this is sticky or siezed slides in the caliper bracket. If they feel sticky or are stuck in the bracket work them loose and apply some anti-sieze compound or high-temp grease. This will help to maintain even brake pad wear.

Once you have the old pads out and the piston pushed back, fit the new pads and slide the caliper into the top bracket hole. Push the caliper down over the brake pads, making sure both spring clips are in the correct position. Refit the 15mm bolt and tighten using your 17mm open end spanner to hold the slide from turning. Refit the wheel and repeat on the other side. Once you have both sides finished pump the brake pedal until you have a firm pedal, check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder and road test. Use several firm stops from around 60km/hr to bed the brake pads in. If the new pads came with bedding-in instructions follow them, as some manufacturers have different ways of doing this. That’s all there is to it!

Take care and be safe on the roads.

Craig