Can You Replace Just Rear Brakes?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you replace just ? The first thing to consider is that your brakes and rotors come in pairs — the front and the rear.

You can replace your in pairs (the front or the rear) at the same time or separately

. If your front brake pads are in need of repair or replacement, your mechanic can fix this issue independently.

Is it OK to replace rear brakes only?

Well, first,

you absolutely should replace both front or both rear brake pads at the same time

. Unless something's really wrong, one should be wearing out at about the same rate as the other.

Can you replace rear brakes yourself?

If your brake pads are squealing or grinding, it might be time for a brake pad replacement. You will be pleasantly surprised to find that

you can replace the pads in your car's disc brake system quickly, easily and without specialized tools

. Doing it yourself also will save you a lot of money.

Should I replace front or rear brakes first?

Can you replace just one set of brakes?

Can You Change Brake Pads on One Side Only?

It is not recommended to get your brake pads changed on one side only

. While it may be tempting since only one side has worn down, replacing brake pads on just one side will only cause further uneven wear and could be dangerous.

Can I just replace brake pads and not rotors?


Yes, but it depends on the condition of your brake rotors

. If they aren't damaged or thinned beyond the discard thickness, you can definitely change just the worn brake pads.

Do I need to replace both brake calipers?

For vehicles with disc brakes mounted on only the front wheels and tires, replace the calipers in pairs.

If one side is damaged, then replace the calipers on both sides

. If only one caliper is replaced, you may experience brake imbalance between the front wheels and tires.

How much does it cost to replace rear brakes?

The average rear brake pad replacement cost is

between $115 and $300

, this is about the same as the cost of front brake pad replacements. These materials range in quality from poor quality to premium.

How much should I charge for a brake job?

You can expect to pay between $30 and $75 per rotor and between $150 and $200 for the labor for each axle, for a total of

between $250 and $500 per axle

. Calipers are the most expensive part of the brake system to replace. A single caliper can cost around $130.

How long does it take to change rear brakes?

Answer provided by

Well, the good news is that fixing your car's brakes and rotors should only take

between 30 minutes and an hour

. Since it won't take long, make time to get your brakes fixed—properly operating brakes are essential to safe driving.

Are front or rear brakes more expensive?

However,

front brake pads are more expensive than rear brake pads

. As they do the bulk of the braking, they are larger than rear pads. This helps them cope with the weight transfer and braking forces. There are also design differences, such as ventilation, which increase the cost.

Why do rear brakes wear faster?

That's because braking shifts the car's weight forward, which means the front rotors need to be stronger, NAPA explains. But there is a reason why rear brake pads can wear faster than expected:

traction control and electronic stability control

.

How often should rear brakes be replaced?

Brake Pads: When to Replace Them

As a general rule, you should get your brake pads replaced

every 10,000 to 20,000 miles

to keep wear to a minimum. When it comes to your rotors, you have a bit longer. Your rotors should be replaced between 50,000 and 70,000 miles to keep your brakes in peak health.

Should you replace brakes in pairs?

Should all brake pads be replaced at once? The short answer is that

you should think of your brake pads in pairs: front and rear

. If one brake pad has problems or wears down, you need to replace a set at a time.

How do you tell if rotors need replacing?

  1. After pressing the brake pedal, the driver feels a vibration in the steering wheel and/or the brake pedal. Cause: Pad Deposits. …
  2. The brakes produce very loud noises when braking. …
  3. The brake rotor has developed surface cracks.

How do I know if I need brakes or rotors?

CARS.COM —

If your car's brakes are squeaking, squealing or making ominous grinding noises when you apply the pedal

, you might need new brake pads or rotors. Ditto if the brake pedal has more travel than usual before you feel much braking force, or if it just feels like your car requires longer distances to stop.

How do u know when u need new rotors?


Your steering wheel vibrates — the sensation is also described as shuddering or pulsing

— because the pads are following the contours of the warped rotors. If your steering wheel is giving you vigorous handshakes, a rotor replacement may be in order.

What are the signs of a bad caliper?

  • Vehicle Pulls To One Side When Driving or Braking. …
  • High-Pitched Squealing or Metalic Rubbing Noises. …
  • Brake Pads Unevenly Wear Down. …
  • Leaking Brake Fluid On the Ground Inside the Tires. …
  • Clunking Sound.

How do I know if my rear brake caliper is bad?

A technician can spot the early warning signs of a failing caliper –

corrosion, dirt buildup, leak, reluctant guide pins

, and more – before they become a major issue. If a caliper already has problems, the technician might notice uneven brake pad wear resulting from a caliper that is either stuck open or stuck closed.

Can you replace just one rear brake caliper?

You would not replace brake pads in only one corner of the vehicle because the hydraulic force and the friction generated is not going to be the same side to side. This is why it is also critical to replace calipers in pairs.

Doing just one is not doing the customer a favor.

What happens if your rear brakes go out?

When you drive with worn out brake pads, rotors, or calipers, you may find yourself

slamming on the brake pedal more often to slow or stop the car

. All this hard braking can wear your tires down quicker or cause them to become unbalanced, leading to uneven tire wear.

How long does a brake job take?

Brake repairs can take anywhere from

15 minutes to eight hours

. They're usually going to take around one to three hours on average. There are a variety of brake repair types to consider, with some taking longer than others.

How much does Walmart charge for brake change?

Walmart auto service center for brake rotors and pads. The company charges about

$200-$219 for front axle brake pad replacement and $300-$400 for a complete caliper and rotor replacement

. The price does not include labor, but it does cover parts and the cost of brake fluid.

Why are brakes so expensive?

How much does a full brake and rotor job cost?

A complete brake repair — one that includes pads, rotor and caliper replacement — typically averages

between $300 and $800

. However, depending on the make and model of your vehicle, you can easily spend more than $1,000 on a complete brake job.

How much does Pepboys charge for brakes?

To replace both brakes and rotors at Pep Boys, you can expect to pay in the range of

$350-$435

. This pricing reflects their standard brake service, which includes Wagner brake pad installation, resurfacing of brake rotors/drums, a lifetime warranty on brake pads/shoes, and a 1 year/12,000 mile warranty on labor.

Can I drive with grinding brakes?


You really shouldn't keep driving your car if the brakes are grinding

—it's not safe, and it might make the problem even worse. You should have a mechanic take a look at your brakes as soon as possible.

Can I replace brake rotors myself?


Replacing brake pads and rotors is not a hard or long DIY job

. However, this time, it was time consuming. I went to the local parts house, and bought two front rotors and brake pads. I took them home, put her car on jack stands and started taking the old ones off.

What is more important front brakes or back brakes?

How long should rear brake pads last?

Brake pads generally last

between 30,000 and 70,000 miles

, but some can last as long as 100,000 miles. There are many factors that account for this wide range.

How long do rear disc brakes last?

Generally, brake discs should last

more than 50,000 miles on average

, but a number of factors affect the lifespan. If you keep them well maintained and drive sensibly, you may be able to get up to 80,000 miles out of one set!

How often should you change your rear brakes?

How often should back brakes be replaced?

Brake Pads: When to Replace Them

As a general rule, you should get your brake pads replaced

every 10,000 to 20,000 miles

to keep wear to a minimum. When it comes to your rotors, you have a bit longer. Your rotors should be replaced between 50,000 and 70,000 miles to keep your brakes in peak health.

Are rear brakes important?

Rear Brake Design — Stability


Providing just the right amount of braking power and vehicle stability

requires the following: Low hydraulic pressure, split by the master cylinder, has less clamping force. Smaller brake calipers also give less clamping force.

How often do rear brake pads need to be replaced?

Brake pads and shoes are generally thought to be good between

30,000-35,000 miles in urban use

. In less demanding situations like highway driving in light traffic, brakes may last 80,000 miles or more.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.