How to Replace a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier's Brake Cylinders

The wheel cylinders on your 2000 Cavalier are hydraulic components located at each rear wheel that use hydraulic pressure to actuate the rear brakes. The brake fluid is forced into the wheel cylinders, forcing two cups outward which push against two pistons, that push against the brake shoes, slowing or stopping the car. If a leaking wheel cylinder isn't replaced immediately, the leaking brake fluid will ruin the brake shoes. Replacing the rear wheel cylinders on your 2000 Chevy Cavalier is something you can accomplish in your yard in about 2 to 3 hours.

Instructions

1

Park the car on a firm and level surface. Place wheel chocks in front of and behind one front wheel. Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels by turning them counterclockwise with the lug wrench. Keep them finger-tight.

2

Place the jack under the jacking pad on one side of the car and lift it until the rear wheel clears the car. Place the jack stand under the rear portion of the frame and carefully lower the car onto the stand. Repeat this on the other side.

3

Remove the lug nuts and wheels and set them aside. Remove the brake drums and set them aside.

4

Remove the hubs. Spray the four hub retaining nuts behind each backing plate with the penetrating oil. Rotate the hub until one of the bolt heads is exposed. Use the appropriate tool (usually an Allen wrench) to hold the bolt while turning the nut behind the backing plate counterclockwise with the wrench. Pull the hub off and set it aside. Repeat on opposite side.

5

Remove the brake line from the wheel cylinder by turning the fitting counterclockwise with the flare nut wrench. Don't use a regular wrench as you may round the fitting off and be unable to remove it.

6

Remove the return springs by inserting the center stud into the round open part of the return spring tool and turning it counterclockwise. Repeat this with the other spring. Let the springs hang.

7

Remove the two retaining bolts behind the wheel cylinder by rotating them counterclockwise with the appropriate wrench.

8

Pull the brake shoes apart and push the wheel cylinder out.

9

Pull the shoes out from the backing plate and insert the wheel cylinder in the opening. Install the bolts by inserting them through the holes in the backing plate and turning them clockwise by hand. Tighten the bolts to 15 foot-pounds.

10

Reinstall the brake line by threading the fitting into the back of the wheel cylinder clockwise. Tighten the fitting to 17 foot-pounds with the flare nut wrench.

11

Remove the two pistons from the old wheel cylinder and insert them into the openings on the sides of the wheel cylinder. Pull the brake shoes apart and slide them into the prongs on the pistons.

12

Hold the hub assembly in place and insert the bolts through the holes and thread the nuts onto the ends of the bolts, turning them clockwise. Tighten these nuts to 43 foot-pounds.

13

Use the return spring tool to replace the return springs over the top center stud.

14

Replace the brake drum. Replace the wheel, inserting the lug studs through the lug holes. Thread the lug nuts onto the studs by hand, turning them clockwise.

15

Repeat steps 5 through 14 above on the other side.

16

Bleed the brakes, starting on the passenger side. This process removes the air from the brake line. Have a helper depress the brake pedal 3 to 5 times and hold it. Crack the brake line fitting and allow the fluid and air to escape. Repeat this until no more air escapes. Repeat this process on the driver side. Refill the master cylinder under the hood as necessary.

17

Raise the vehicle and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts to 50 to 60 foot-pounds.