How to Change Rotors on a 2006 Vue

Saturn came about in 1990 with the release of two simple, yet economical vehicles the SC and SL. In the 2002 model year, Saturn took a leap into the realm of SUV manufacturing with the release of the compact Vue. The Vue was unique in the fact that it was the only SUV in Saturns lineup, but used the same basic styling cues from the automakers lineup of cars. The 2006 Saturn Vue featured a basic braking system that used ventilated front disc brakes and rear drum brakes on all trim levels, which was unusual for the era. When replacing the 2006 Vues rotors, it is best to replace the brake pads, too.

Instructions

1

Loosen the Vues front lug nuts with a ratchet and socket. Raise the front of the SUV with a floor jack and set jack stands under its subframe. Lower the Saturn onto the jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and pull the front wheel off the Vue.

2

Set a drain pan under the brake caliper and set a box wrench on the bleeder valve the quarter-inch metal valve on top of the caliper. Position an 8-inch C-clamp over the caliper, so its fixed side touches the rear of the caliper and the screw part touches the outer brake pad.

3

Turn the bleeder valve a quarter-turn counterclockwise with the box wrench and immediately start tightening the C-clamp. Continue tightening the C-clamp until it stops turning, then immediately close the bleeder valve by turning it clockwise until tight with the box wrench. Loosen the C-clamp and remove it from the caliper.

4

Remove the two caliper bolts with a ratchet and socket while you hold the caliper guide pins still with a combination wrench. Pull the caliper off its bracket and hang it from the coil spring with a bungee cord. Never let the caliper hang by its rubber hose.

5

Pull the brake pads from the caliper bracket and discard them. Pull the pad slippers the thin metal shims from the caliper bracket. Remove the two caliper bracket bolts and pull the caliper bracket off the front steering knuckle.

6

Grab the rotor and pull it from the front hub. If the rotor sticks to the hub, lightly tap the rear of it with a rubber mallet to free it. Set a new rotor on the front hub.

7

Set the caliper bracket back onto the front steering knuckle. Apply a thin coating of a thread-locking chemical to the bottom two-thirds of the threaded part of each caliper bracket bolt. Allow the thread-locking chemical to cure for the time specified by its directions typically 5 to 10 minutes. Hand-thread the caliper bracket retaining bolts, then tighten them to 136 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket.

8

Press new brake pad slippers included with the new brake pads into the brake pad guides on the caliper bracket; the slippers only fit in one direction to prevent incorrect installation. Slide new brake pads into the caliper bracket.

9

Place the brake caliper on its bracket and hand-thread its bolts. Tighten the caliper retaining bolts to 32 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and socket, while you hold the caliper guide pins steady with a combination wrench.

10

Repeat Steps 2 through 9 to replace the rotor on the other side of the Vue.

11

Set the wheels back on the Vues front hubs and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the SUV off the jack stands with a floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the Vue to the ground. Tighten the Saturns lug nuts to 92 foot-pounds, in a crisscross pattern, with a torque wrench and socket.

12

Check the fluid level in the Vues master cylinder reservoir. Unscrew the reservoir's cap and add DOT 3 fluid, as needed, to bring the fluid level to the Max line. Tighten the cap onto the master cylinder reservoir.