How to Replace Front Disc Brakes on a 2004 Chevy Impala

The brakes on your 2004 Chevy Impala work, along with the rotors, to slow and stop your vehicle. The more you use the brakes, the faster they wear until you will need to replace them. It does not take long to change the pads on each wheel, about 30 minutes on each side; then your car will be on the road again with new brakes. Inspect the brake rotors thoroughly when you are changing the brake pads. If there are any problems with them, such as grooves or warping, you will need to replace them or have them machined smooth before you put new pads on the car.

Instructions

1

Remove two-thirds of the brake fluid from the master brake cylinder in the engine compartment. Put it in a drain pan for recycling. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Raise the Impala with an automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the car and raise it to the frame. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with a lug wrench and pull the wheel off the car.

2

Loosen the bottom bolt on the brake caliper with a socket and ratchet. Pivot the caliper up and off the wheel assembly. Remove the front brake pad. Place the back brake pad and the back of the caliper in the jaws of a C-clamp and twist it shut until the caliper piston seats itself in the caliper housing. Remove the C-clamp and the other brake pad from the caliper.

3

Install the new brake pads into the caliper. Pivot the caliper down and onto the wheel assembly. Tighten the bolt with the socket and ratchet. Remount the wheel onto the Impala and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the Chevy and lower the vehicle to the ground with the jack. Repeat the process on the other wheel.

4

Add brake fluid to the master cylinder. Pump the brakes several times until the pedal feels firm.