How to Fix and Improve Muscle Car Brakes

Muscle car brakes are essential to car safety. Finding issues in them is nothing to brush off. If you notice any irregularities in your brake performance, you should have the problem checked out by a mechanic or attempt the repairs yourself. Below is a guide for repairing and improving your car brakes for maximum performance. Note you may not have to follow all the steps below, nor will you have to follow them in order at times.

Materials Needed

• Jack
• Ratchets
• Screwdrivers
• Replacement parts
• C clamp

Step 1 - Figure out Your Problems

You need to analyze what might be wrong with your muscle car brakes. Before you even start your car, push on the brakes and see if they feel mushy. If so, you probably have an issue with your brake fluid. If that isn't the issue, try driving your car at low speeds and push on the brakes. If you notice squealing, you might need to replace the brake pads or clean the brakes. Rust might be causing the squealing, but that is fairly easy to fix. If you push sharply on the brakes and they do not slow the car properly, you might have issues with brake fluid or brake pads. If the brakes drag, you might have grease on the rotors that will need to be cleaned. If the brakes pull the car to one side, you might need to fix the clearance for the brakes or adjust the hydraulic pressure.

Step 2 - Remove the Wheel

To start any of your brake repairs, you need to actually be able to get to the brakes. Start by lifting your car with a jack. Remove the lug nuts holding the wheel on and safely pull the wheel off the car.

Step 3 - Remove the Caliper

If you need to get to the brake pad or you're looking to replace the brake caliper, you will need to remove the caliper. This is right above the brake disc. Remove the bolts holding this on and pull it off the brake, making sure to not pull on the brake line. Set the caliper down or hang it with a bungee cord.

Step 4 - Replace the Brake Pads

To replace the brake pads, simply remove the metal holding clips and put new pads in place of the old ones. Take a minute to look over your brake disc while you're down there.

Step 5 - Adjust the Brake Piston

To adjust the brake piston, take a C clamp and put the screwing end on the piston itself. Tighten this until the caliper can safely go over the brake pads.

Step 6 - Have Other Repairs Done

You may need to get a mechanic to help you when it comes to your fuel lines. This work doesn't cost much to have done, and it is vital to your car's performance. Have the mechanic inspect the brakes at this time to inform of other potential issues as well.