Rear Brake Pad Installation in an Oldsmobile Aurora

The rear discs brakes on the Oldsmobile Aurora include a parking-brake-actuated caliper. This caliper requires a special tool kit to compress the caliper piston inward, but many auto parts stores carry them and rent them inexpensively if necessary. When replacing the rear brake pads, the caliper pistons must be compressed in order to make room for the thicker replacement pads or the calipers will not be able to fit back onto the brake pads and rear discs (rotors).

Instructions

1

Place two wheel wedge blocks in front and behind of one of the front tires on the Oldsmobile Aurora. Ensure the parking brake is not engaged and open the hood.

2

Remove half of the brake fluid from the master cylinder with the brake fluid baster and dispose of the old fluid (according to local ordinances for hazardous materials). Replace the cover to the master cylinder before closing the hood.

3

Loosen the rear tire nuts using the tire nut wrench and then lift the rear of the Aurora and place jack stands beneath it to support the vehicle.

4

Remove the tire nuts and wheel assemblies.

5

Pivot the parking brake actuator levers upward, using the screwdriver if necessary, and disconnect the parking brake cable from each lever. Remove the parking brake bracket retaining bolts with a hand wrench and then move the brackets and cables out of the way.

6

Remove the lower caliper mounting bolts with a hand wrench.

7

Pivot the calipers upward using the upper guide pins as a hinge. Use the screwdriver as a lever if necessary.

8

Find the appropriate fitting adapter in the caliper piston reset tool kit to match the position of the caliper piston notches. Insert the bracket of the tool against inside of the outer caliper housings. Place the adapter piece onto the caliper pistons so the nubs of the piece mate to the notches in the caliper pistons and then tighten the tool to screw the pistons inward clockwise until they are fully seated in the piston bores. Ensure the notches of the pistons are at 12 and 6 'O-clock position (this will align the nubs on the backing plates of the inboard pads to the notches of the caliper pistons when it comes time to replace them).

9

Remove the inner and outer brake pads from the caliper mounting plates. Pry the pad clips off of the upper and lower section of the caliper mounting plates with the screwdriver.

10

Snap the replacement clips (in the replacement brake pad set kit) onto the caliper mounting bracket and then apply a coating of silicone brake compound to the clips before inserting the inner and outer pads into the mounting brackets.

11

Position the calipers down over the pads and and mounting plates and replace the lower caliper mounting bolts. Tighten to 22 foot-pounds with the torque ratchet and suitable socket. Replace the parking brake cables and brackets by reversing Step 5.

12

Replace the wheel assemblies and tire nuts and then tighten the nuts in a crisscross fashion until the wheels are snug. Lower the Aurora to the ground and re-tighten the nuts again with the torque ratchet set on 100 foot-pounds and a socket. Again, incorporated the crisscross pattern when torquing the tire nuts.

13

Pump the foot brake pedal to extend the pistons outward. When the brake pedal feels firm, apply and release the parking brake cable three to four times.

14

Inspect the fluid level of the master cylinder and if necessary, add fresh brake fluid to the full-line in the reservoir and replace the cap. Remove the wheel wedge blocks and test drive the vehicle.