Installing your own brakes is a huge win — saving money, building skill, and boosting confidence. But even seasoned DIYers hit speed bumps if they're not careful.

Here’s a no-BS guide to the most common brake installation mistakes — and exactly how to avoid them, so your next brake job feels professional, not painful.

1. Not Cleaning New Rotors Before Installation

The Mistake:
Bolting on rotors without checking if they need cleaning.

The Problem:

• Non-coated rotors come with an oil film that must be cleaned off.
• Coated rotors (like Max’s Geomet-coated or anti-corrosion rotors) do not have oil coatings and are install-ready.
• Mistaking one for the other can cause unnecessary work — or worse, contaminate your pads if an oily rotor is left untreated.

How to Avoid It:

• Check rotor specs:
• If uncoated: wipe thoroughly with brake cleaner and lint-free cloth.
• If coated: install directly — no cleaning needed.

Pro Tip: Max ComfortMax, StyleMax, and PerformanceMax rotors are pre-coated — saving you prep time.

2. Forgetting to Apply Anti-Seize on Hub Faces

The Mistake:
Installing rotors directly onto the rusty, dirty hub.

The Problem:

• Rust builds up behind the rotor over time, leading to vibration, uneven rotor wear, and difficulty removing rotors during the next service.

How to Avoid It:

• Wire-brush the hub face clean.
• Apply a light coating of anti-seize to prevent future sticking — but avoid getting any on braking surfaces.

3. Not Compressing the Caliper Piston Properly

The Mistake:
Forcing the caliper back onto new, thicker pads without resetting the piston.

The Problem:

• This stresses the caliper bolts, misaligns the pads, and can cause uneven braking or immediate drag.

How to Avoid It:

• Always use a C-clamp or a caliper compression tool to gently push the piston fully back into the caliper housing before reinstallation.

4. Over-Tightening or Under-Tightening Bolts

The Mistake:
Using "feel" instead of a torque wrench.

The Problem:

• Over-tightening = snapped bolts, warped parts.
• Under-tightening = loose calipers, unsafe braking.

How to Avoid It:

• Always torque to manufacturer specs using a calibrated torque wrench.
• Double-check the torque values for caliper brackets and wheel lug nuts — they're different.

5. Skipping Bedding-In of New Pads and Rotors

The Mistake:
Skipping the critical break-in process after installation.

The Problem:

• Pads and rotors must form a proper transfer layer under controlled heat cycles. Skipping bedding can cause uneven friction surfaces, vibration, and reduced braking power.

How to Avoid It:

• Follow the official Max Advanced Brakes Break-In Procedure.
• Typically involves a series of controlled moderate stops to gradually build optimal pad-to-rotor contact.

Pro Tip: Never do hard emergency stops immediately after a fresh install unless the pads are properly bedded.

Final Thought: Good Installations Are Built on Small Details

Brakes aren't complicated — but they are unforgiving if you cut corners.

Master these critical details, and every brake job you do will feel cleaner, smoother, and more professional.

Own the details. Own the drive. Stay Max.