Doing your own brakes, you might wonder if a torque wrench is really necessary or if tight-by-feel is fine. For brakes, the answer is clear. Here is why you need a torque wrench for a brake job.
Caliper and bracket bolts
The caliper guide-pin bolts and bracket bolts have specific torque values - too loose and they work free from vibration and heat (a caliper can fall off); too tight strips threads or binds the slides; see caliper bolt torque. These are safety-critical fasteners.
Lug nuts
Wheel lug nuts must be torqued evenly to spec - over-torquing warps rotors and stresses studs, under-torquing lets a wheel loosen. A torque wrench and a star pattern get it right every time.
Hub and axle nuts
If you touch a wheel hub, the axle nut and hub bolts set bearing preload and hold the hub - both need exact torque for bearing life and safety; see hub torque matters. Guessing ruins a new bearing.
Get a torque wrench
A basic click-type torque wrench is inexpensive and the right tool for brakes. Look up your vehicle's specs and use it on every brake fastener. Then fit quality pads and hardware.