How to Remove Brake Glazing

April 1, 2010

Removing brake glazing is actually a fairly easy process if you know what you are doing. In this article it is assumed that a brake lathe is not available, as it is not a common tool to be found in a home. After reading this article, you will have the knowledge to do this task. In the long run, this can save you a lot of money.

Step One: Jacking up and Securing the Vehicle

First, jack the vehicle up with a floor jack
Next, place jack stands to secure parts of the vehicle
Next, slowly lower the jack until the vehicle is resting on the stands
Finally remove the jack from under the vehicle

Step Two: Removing the Wheels

First, remove the lug nuts with an impact gun
Lastly pull the wheel off of the hub

Step Three: Removing the Brake Caliper

First, remove the two caliper bolts/pins that are holding the caliper from the back side
Next, pull the caliper away from the rotor and bake pads
Lastly, using a bungee cord, tie the caliper on to a fixed piece of metal to keep it from hanging

Step Four: Removing the Brake Caliper Bracket and Brake Rotor

First, pull the bake pads out of the bracket
Next, remove the two bolts on the back of the caliper bracket
Then, pull the bracket away from the rotor
Finally, simply pull the brake rotor off

Step Five: Resurfacing the Rotor

First, lay the rotor flat on the ground
Then, using a drill and a abrasive pad (cookie) slowly begin roughing up the surface of the rotor
Next, do the same on the other side of the rotor
Then, when you can no longer see your reflection in the rotor you are complete
Finally, simply put the rotor back on the hub

Step Six: Replacing the Rotor and the Brake Caliper Bracket

First, Place the rotor back on the hub
Next. Place the brake caliper bracket around the hub
Then, line up the bracket with then bolt holes
Finally, place the bolt in the holes and tighten them down to manufacturers specification

Step Seven: Replacing the Brake Pads and Brake Caliper

First, simply put the brake pads into the bracket
Then, lubricate and clean the caliper slide pins
Next, line the caliper hole up with the caliper bracket holes
Then, tighten the caliper pins to manufacturer specifications

Step Eight: Replacing the Vehicles Wheels

First, place the wheels on the hub
Next finger tighten the lug nuts until the wheel is sting properly on the hub
Finally, torque the wheels down to manufacturer specifications

Step Nine: Lowering the Vehicle

First, use the jack to lift the vehicle off of the jack stands
Next, remove the jack stands from under the vehicle
Then, lower the jack until the vehicle is on the ground
Finally, use a torque wrench to double check the torque on the wheels

Step Ten: Test Drive and Brandish Rotor

First, make certain to pump the brake pedal until it is firm
Next, take the car for a test drive
Then, during the test drive, make certain to perform several hard stops to brandish the rotor
Finally, given the vehicle operates properly you are finished

Now that you know how to remove glazing from the brake rotor, it is time to get to work.