How to Replace the Back Brake Rotors on a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am GT

Pontiac introduced the third generation Grand Am in 1999 and discontinued it in 2005 after the debut of the G6. Marketed as an economical alternative to the sporty Grand Prix, the Grand Am GT served Pontiac's thriftier buyers while providing them with a pseudo sports car appearance. The 2001 Grand Am GT had four-wheel disc brakes, a must for any driver concerned with performance. The Grand Am GT's back brake rotors should last about twice as long as the fronts, since the front brakes supply the majority of the braking effort.

Instructions

1

Jam two wheel chocks against the tread on the right-front wheel, one chock at the front and one at the back of the tire. Loosen each of the Grand Am's rear lug nuts with the lug wrench so you can remove them by hand later.

2

Lift the Grand Am's rear end with the jack. Position a jack stand under the rear frame on both sides. Lower the Grand Am onto the jack stands with the jack.

3

Remove the rear lug nuts and wheels to expose the rear brakes. Place a drop pan under the left-rear brake assembly. Wash away the brake dust and road dirt from the brake assembly with brake cleaner spray.

4

Unbolt the left-rear brake caliper with the socket wrench and a 13 mm socket. Lift the caliper off the brake rotor. Remove the old brake pads from the caliper and set the caliper in the rear suspension so it does not hang from the brake line.

5

Clean the inside of the caliper with brake cleaner to remove old grease, brake dust and road dirt. Apply a thin layer of white lithium grease to the caliper slides.

6

Compress the caliper pistons with the caliper piston tool. Insert the new brake pads, making sure to align the dowels on the outboard pad with their corresponding holes in the caliper.

7

Unbolt the caliper bracket with the socket wrench and socket. Remove the caliper bracket.

8

Slip the left-rear rotor off the hub and set it aside. Slip the new back brake rotor onto the hub.

9

Bolt the caliper bracket back on with the socket wrench and socket. Lower the brake caliper over the rotor and into the caliper bracket. Bolt the caliper to the caliper bracket with the socket wrench and socket and then tighten to 40 foot-pounds with the torque wrench.

10

Reinstall the wheel and lug nuts. Lift the Grand Am off the jack stands with the jack. Remove the jack stands by hand before lowering the Grand Am to the ground.

11

Tighten the rear lug nuts to 85 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Remove the wheel chocks before driving the Grand Am.