How do you change brake pads and rotors on a 1996 Chevy Lumina?
How To Change Brake Pads June 23rd, 2009
Steering and brakes are the two things you DO NOT want to mess up, so if you don't know for sure what you are doing, take it to a skilled mechanic.
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:08 am
Steering and brakes are the two things you DO NOT want to mess up, so if you don't know for sure what you are doing, take it to a skilled mechanic.
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June 23rd, 2009 at 7:20 am
Easy job. Once you remove the front wheels remove the caliper after using a c-clamp to squeeze the piston back into it so that the pads will loosen. Once the caliper is off put the c-clamp back on it and squeeze the piston all the way back into the bore "slowly" with the top off the master cylinder so that the fluid will go back to the master cylinder and the caliper will be back in the starting position and able to accept the new pads with full amount of friction material on them. As to the rotor, if the caliper bracket is in the way then remove the two large bolts that hold it on and the rotor slips off the lugs and new one reinstalls the same way. There is a special type socket that is used for removing the GM caliper bolts from the bracket and if you don't have a wrench that will fit in the hole properly then all auto parts stores carry these. They are very common and cheap to purchase at only a couple of bucks or so. After replacing the rotor and caliper bracket, install the new pads into the caliper and bracket and once the caliper is back bolted down slowly pump the brake pedal with the cap loosely sitting on top the master cylinder and the pedal only going about halfway down. Do this until you get a good hard pedal again. That's all there is to it.
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June 23rd, 2009 at 7:32 am
mohavedes is right. But if I'm not mistaken the bolt is actually a TORX bolt. The proper size is T-60. If you've never done this DON'T DO IT. These bolts are SOOO tight its almost impossible to take. And if you do take them off you better damn make sure it is GOOD and TIGHT. Otherwise the bolts will come loose and fall off while you're driving. Don't mean to scare you, but I don't want to be driving around someone familiar with brakes and they did it themselves. Besides front brake jobs usually cost under $180 including labor and parts with a warranty.
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