"How to" Change Discs and Pads on 200/25/ZR + 400/45/ZS and possibly others.
First of all I would just like to point out that some people may have different methods to me and that's fine. I'm just showing the method that I use to change my discs and pads, it's possibly not perfect or the quickest method, but it's the one which I find works well for me. If anyone wants to offer their own suggestions or comments please feel free.
This "How To" guide shows how I change the pads and discs on a 1998 Rover 218iS. The discs on this particular model are vented but the method is exactly the same regardless of the disc type. I think that this guide will apply to the 200/25/ZR, 400/45/ZS, and also the 200/400 R3 (wedge shape). The metro and MGF may also use very similar looking calipers.
If you are changing just the pads please skip Post #2.
My car had been stood for sometime and I thought that as the brakes have not been used much recently I would remove them, clean them up and then refit. The pads and discs were perfectly serviceable, they just needed a little TLC. Even though I've only refitted the original discs and pads I've tried to write this guide so that it will be useful for those replacing them with brand new discs and pads. I've taken a lot of time over making this guide so I hope that you find it useful.
Tools Required For Changing The Brake Pads Only:
Trolley Jack or Scissor Jack
Axle Stand(s)
19mm Socket
12mm Socket
1/2" Drive Ratchet
1/2" Drive Breaker Bar/Socket Bar
Large Flat Screwdriver
A small length of string or wire
Copper Grease
Heavy Lithium Grease (Can be substituted by Copper Grease if needs be)
Flat File
Emery Tape or similar
Wire Brush
G-Clamp
The very first thing to do is remove the front wheel, I started on the passenger side.
Use the Breaker Bar and 19mm Socket to crack the wheel nuts undone (don't remove them).
Now jack the car using a trolley jack or scissor jack and then support it on an axle stand. Please do not work on the vehicle without an axle stand for safety purposes.
Now remove the wheel nuts and the wheel.
This will be what you'll see once you have the wheel removed.
![Image]()
Now the next step is to pivot up the Brake Caliper. To do this you'll need a 12mm Socket and a Ratchet.
Locate the lower 12mm Bolt shown in the picture below and remove it.
![Image]()
With this lower bolt removed the caliper will now pivot upwards on the top bolt leaving the pads against the brake disc. Pivot the Caliper up and tie it to the suspension spring with either a piece of string or wire.
![Image]()
Now remove the old brake pads from the Carrier, they will pull out or if they're a little tight use a strong screwdriver to ease them out (do not put the screwdriver between the pad and disk, you will damage the disk).
![Image]()
If you're also replacing the disks continue reading post #2. If you're only replacing the pads, please skip to post #3.
First of all I would just like to point out that some people may have different methods to me and that's fine. I'm just showing the method that I use to change my discs and pads, it's possibly not perfect or the quickest method, but it's the one which I find works well for me. If anyone wants to offer their own suggestions or comments please feel free.
This "How To" guide shows how I change the pads and discs on a 1998 Rover 218iS. The discs on this particular model are vented but the method is exactly the same regardless of the disc type. I think that this guide will apply to the 200/25/ZR, 400/45/ZS, and also the 200/400 R3 (wedge shape). The metro and MGF may also use very similar looking calipers.
If you are changing just the pads please skip Post #2.
My car had been stood for sometime and I thought that as the brakes have not been used much recently I would remove them, clean them up and then refit. The pads and discs were perfectly serviceable, they just needed a little TLC. Even though I've only refitted the original discs and pads I've tried to write this guide so that it will be useful for those replacing them with brand new discs and pads. I've taken a lot of time over making this guide so I hope that you find it useful.
Tools Required For Changing The Brake Pads Only:
Trolley Jack or Scissor Jack
Axle Stand(s)
19mm Socket
12mm Socket
1/2" Drive Ratchet
1/2" Drive Breaker Bar/Socket Bar
Large Flat Screwdriver
A small length of string or wire
Copper Grease
Heavy Lithium Grease (Can be substituted by Copper Grease if needs be)
Flat File
Emery Tape or similar
Wire Brush
G-Clamp
The very first thing to do is remove the front wheel, I started on the passenger side.
Use the Breaker Bar and 19mm Socket to crack the wheel nuts undone (don't remove them).
Now jack the car using a trolley jack or scissor jack and then support it on an axle stand. Please do not work on the vehicle without an axle stand for safety purposes.
Now remove the wheel nuts and the wheel.
This will be what you'll see once you have the wheel removed.
Now the next step is to pivot up the Brake Caliper. To do this you'll need a 12mm Socket and a Ratchet.
Locate the lower 12mm Bolt shown in the picture below and remove it.
With this lower bolt removed the caliper will now pivot upwards on the top bolt leaving the pads against the brake disc. Pivot the Caliper up and tie it to the suspension spring with either a piece of string or wire.
Now remove the old brake pads from the Carrier, they will pull out or if they're a little tight use a strong screwdriver to ease them out (do not put the screwdriver between the pad and disk, you will damage the disk).
If you're also replacing the disks continue reading post #2. If you're only replacing the pads, please skip to post #3.
