Can you change brake pads without removing a caliper?

Most shops still waste time removing the entire caliper just to replace worn brake pads. This used to be standard—but it’s not necessary anymore, especially with new generation designs.

Yes, with modern brake pads like those from Runex Auto, you can often change pads without removing the caliper, saving time and labor.

Some pads today are built for fast changes. That’s one of the ways we help distributors improve turnaround time and cut technician workload. Read on to learn how modern brake systems work—and how you can use this knowledge to improve efficiency.

Can I just change brake pads only?

Swapping out only the pads sounds quick—but is it safe? Many mechanics wonder if changing pads alone is enough to keep braking systems reliable.

Yes, in many cases, you can change only the brake pads. But the condition of other components—especially the rotor—matters too.

Why replacing just the pads might be fine

Brake pads are often the first part to wear down in the system. If your rotors are still smooth, flat, and within thickness spec, there’s no need to replace them. In fact, most of our Runex Auto distributors report that our ceramic and semi-metallic pads last longer and don’t wear rotors as quickly, giving more rotor life¹ between full brake jobs.

When you should check more than just pads

Here’s a quick guide:

Component	Replace Needed If...	Runex Auto Notes
Brake Pads	Friction material < 3mm	All Runex pads have wear indicators
Rotors	Warped, cracked, or below minimum thickness	Use a micrometer to measure
Caliper	Leaking fluid, sticking piston	Check during pad swap

At Runex, we design our brake pads² to wear evenly, minimizing the need for additional repairs. One workshop in Poland told us their customers could go two full pad cycles before needing rotor service. That kind of performance reduces overall cost per mile and keeps cars on the road longer.

Do you have to take wheels off to change brake pads?

Some techs ask whether it’s possible to do a quick brake job without even removing the wheels. It’s a fair question—especially in high-volume shops.

Yes, but only in rare cases. In most cars, you still need to remove the wheels to access the pads and caliper properly.

Why wheel removal is still the standard

Let’s keep it real. For almost all vehicles, you’ll need to remove the wheel to get full access to the caliper and pads. This is especially true for cars with disc brakes on all four wheels. Only a few older drum-brake systems allow pad swaps without wheel removal³.

But here’s the good news: with Runex’s fast-fit pads, once the wheel is off, the rest is easy. Some of our pads use spring-retainer systems that let you slide the old ones out without touching the caliper bolts.

Time savings with quick access systems

Here’s a comparison:

Step	Standard Brake Pad	Runex Easy-Install Pad4
Wheel removal	Required	Required
Caliper bolt removal	Yes	Often skipped
Pad swap time (per wheel)	12–15 minutes	8–10 minutes

One garage in Italy reduced full brake service labor time by 20% after switching to our easy-install pads. They didn’t need to change any procedures—just used our design advantage.

Why do my brakes sound worse after changing pads?

Many drivers replace brake pads, expecting silence—but get squeals or grinding. What’s going on?

New brake pads can make noise at first. The sound usually fades, but poor quality pads or bad installation can cause lasting noise.

What causes the noise?

There are a few main reasons:

1. Improper bedding-in: New pads need to wear into the rotor surface.
2. Low-quality pads: Cheaper compounds can be noisy, especially when cold.
3. Missing shims or anti-rattle clips: These reduce vibration but often get lost during install.
4. Rotor surface issues: Old rotors can cause uneven contact.

How Runex pads reduce noise

Runex Auto uses multi-layer shims and premium friction materials. Here’s how that helps:

Problem	Standard Pads	Runex Auto Pads5
Squeaking during cold stop	Common	Rare—our pads are noise-tested in lab
Vibration noise	If clips are missing	Clips pre-mounted in most kits
Noise during bedding-in	Can last 500+ miles	Usually gone after 100–200 miles

One distributor in Manchester told us they had repeat complaints about noise. We looked into it—their old supplier used low-end backing plates and skipped shim layers. We sent them a batch of our Pro Series pads. Within one week, their complaints dropped to zero.

Can you just replace brake pads and not discs?

If the discs still look okay, many shops wonder—can I skip replacing them this time?

Yes, you can replace only the brake pads if the discs (rotors) are still within spec and show no damage.

Knowing when to skip the rotors

Rotors are made of hardened steel. They last much longer than pads. However, they still need to be checked for thickness and surface condition. Here’s how we suggest checking:

• Use a micrometer to measure rotor thickness.
• Look for grooves, heat spots, or cracks.
• Run your finger across the surface—if you feel ridges, it may be time to machine or replace.

How Runex pads protect rotors

Runex Auto brake pads⁶ are engineered with a stable coefficient of friction. That means they generate consistent pressure without excessive heat or vibration. Less heat = less rotor warping. Less vibration = even wear.

Feature	Standard Pads	Runex Auto Pads
Rotor surface protection	Minimal	Chamfered edges, smooth contact
Heat build-up	High in cheap pads	Controlled through advanced compounds
Rotor life extension	Not guaranteed	Up to 30% longer with Runex pads

We had a customer in Spain who ran a fleet of delivery vans. They complained about rotor replacements every 2 pad sets. After switching to Runex, they went through 4 pad cycles before needing new discs.

Conclusion

Changing brake pads ⁷ no longer has to be a slow, expensive job. With the right products—like our easy-install Runex Auto brake pads—you can cut down on labor time, reduce costs, and avoid unnecessary part swaps. Whether it’s skipping caliper removal or extending rotor life, our design makes every brake job smarter and faster. That’s how we help our distributors stay ahead, one pad at a time.