How to Replace Front Brake Pads on a Saturn L200

Change the brakes on your Saturn vehicle about every 60,000 miles. The Saturn L200 uses brake calipers on all wheels, but only the front brakes use standard brake pads. Still, there are a few differences in changing a Saturn's brake pads than there are with other vehicles, particularly with how the inner side brakes are attached.

Instructions

1

Remove the cap from the master cylinder and check the fluid level; siphon out some fluid with an unused turkey baster if the fluid is at the maximum level. Raise the vehicle's front end on jack stands and remove both front wheels. The following steps apply for each brake assembly, which you should work on one at a time.

2

Compress the caliper piston into its bore with a C-clamp. Watch out for fluid overflowing from the master cylinder. Wash off the brake assembly with brake cleaner.

3

Pry off the anti-rattle clip from the caliper with a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the covers to the guide pin bolts and remove the bolts; this should take a hex wrench. Remove the caliper and hang it from the coil spring with strong wire; don't hang it by the brake hose.

4

Remove the inner brake pad from within the caliper piston and the outer pad from the caliper's mounting bracket. Insert the new inner brake pad into the piston by squeezing the clip on the backing plate, and install the new outer pad into the bracket.

5

Position the caliper back onto the mounting bracket. Clean off the guide pin bolts with the brake cleaner, and lightly apply a high-temperature brake grease to them before installing them and replacing their covers. Put the anti-rattle clip in place.

6

Connect the wheels and lower the vehicle once you've changed the brakes on both sides. Press the brake pedal multiple times to seat the pads and check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder.