Brake Pads Replacement - Front
REMOVAL PROCEDUREGM replacement brake lining material (or equivalent) is recommended for all GM vehicles in order to maintain the balance between front and rear brake performance. GM replacement brake parts have been carefully selected in order to provide the proper brake balance for purposes of both stopping distance and control over the full range of operation conditions. Installation of the front or rear brake lining material that has performance different than that of the GM replacement parts recommended for this vehicle may change the intended brake balance of this vehicle.
1. Remove one-third of the brake fluid from the master cylinder.
2. Raise and suitably support the vehicle.
3. Mark the relationship of the wheel to the hub.
4. Remove the tire and the wheel. Install two wheel nuts in order to retain the rotor.
5. Push the piston onto the caliper bore in order to provide clearance between the pads and the rotor. Complete the following steps:
5.1. Install a large C-clamp (2) over the top of the caliper housing (1) and against the back of the outboard pad.
5.2. Slowly tighten the C-clamp (2) until the piston pushes into the caliper bore enough to slide the caliper (1) off the rotor.
6. Remove the lower caliper bolt (1).
NOTICE: Use care to avoid damaging pin boot when rotating caliper.
7. Rotate the caliper upward in order to access the pads.
8. Remove the pads from the caliper bracket.
9. Remove the two retainers from the caliper bracket.
10. Inspect the following parts for cuts, tears, or deterioration. Replace any damaged parts:
- The bolt boots.
- The piston boot.
- The bolt boots in the caliper bracket.
11. Inspect the caliper bolts for corrosion or damage. if corrosion is found, use new parts, including bushings, when installing the caliper. Do not attempt to polish away corrosion.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
IMPORTANT: Before installing new brake pads, wipe the outside surface of the caliper boot clean. Use denatured alcohol.
1. Bottom the piston into the caliper bore. If installing new brake pads, use a C-clamp in order to clamp the piston at the same time. Use a metal plate or wooden block across the face of the piston. Do not damage the piston or the caliper boot.
IMPORTANT: Lift the inner edge caliper boot next to the piston. Press out any trapped air. The boot must lay flat below the level of the piston face.
2. Install the two retainers to the caliper bracket.
NOTICE: Inner and outer brake pads must be new or parallel. Parking brake adjustment is not valid with tapered pads, and may cause caliper/parking brake binding. This will result in overheating and possible damage of the brake linings, rotor, and/or caliper.
IMPORTANT: The wear sensor is on the outside pad. The sensor is positioned at the leading edge (upward) of the pad during forward wheel rotation.
3. Install the pads (5) to the caliper anchor bracket.
NOTICE: Use care to avoid damaging pin boot when rotating caliper.
4. Swing the caliper (3) down onto the pads.
NOTICE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
5. Install the lower caliper bolt.
- Tighten the caliper bolts to 85 Nm (63 Ft. lbs.).
6. Remove the wheel nuts securing the rotor to the hub.
7. Install the tires and the wheels. Align the previous marks on the wheel and the hub.
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. Fill the master cylinder to the proper level with clean brake fluid.
10. Apply the brake pedal approximately three times in order to seat the pads.
11. Burnish the pads and the rotors.