How to Change Chevy Cavalier Brakes & Rotors

The front wheels (called disc brakes) do the bulk of the stopping when you press on the brake pedal, which is why it is critical that you check and replace them whenever they are worn down. The brake pad sits in a device called a caliper, which wraps around the brake rotor. A piston inside the brake caliper pushes against the brake pad via hydraulic pressure created through the master cylinder, brake booster, proportioning valve, and the brake lines which pushes against the brake rotor which slows down and stops your vehicle. of course, this creates a lot of friction and wears the pads down, so when the brake pad material is less than 1/8 inch thick you should replace the pads.

Instructions

1

Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels with the lug nut wrench. The purpose here is to make it easier to remove the wheel when the car is off the ground, so you only want to break the lug nut loose, not loosen it so much so that the wheel becomes unstable.

2

Put the car in first gear, or park if the car is automatic.

3

Jack the car off the ground using the front jack point on the Cavalier. The jack point should be in the center of the front of the car behind the radiator.

4

Place two jack stands, one on each side, under the pinch welds in the front of the vehicle. They will be located on the side of the car in the front of the vehicle. You can also place the jack stands underneath the frame of the car. Next, lower the car onto the jack stands and check the car to make sure it is stable.

5

Loosen the lug nuts all the way, and then remove the wheels from the car.

6

Unbolt the top and bottom bolts on the brake caliper Next, secure it to the coil spring above it with zip ties. This will keep the caliper out of the way and keep you from accidentally damaging the rubber brake line by letting it hang down on the weight of the caliper.

7

Slide the brake rotor off of the hub assembly. You may need to hit the back of it with a rubber mallet to loosen the corrosion/rust that has accumulated.

8

Install the new brake rotor over the hub assembly.

9

Slide the old brake pads out. Place the flat end of the old brake pad against the piston of the caliper. Using a C-clamp, gently compress the piston back into the caliper. Be sure that the piston boot does not fold unnaturally or become disoriented. It should fold straight back, accordion-style, into the caliper.

10

Slide the new brake pads into the caliper paying attention to the proper orientation for each pad. The pads can only fit one way in the caliper. Once the pads are in place, you can cut the zip ties and fit the caliper back over the brake rotor and re-tighten the caliper bolts.

11

Put the wheel/tire back on, and hand tighten the lug nuts. Using the lug nut wrench begin tightening the lug nuts so that the wheel sit firm against the brake rotor and hub assembly. However, do not tighten them all the way. Be sure that you are tightening the lug nuts in a criss-cross pattern. For example, tighten one nut, then tighten the nut opposite of it.

12

Lower the car, and finish tightening the lug nuts. Torque the lug nuts to 100 ft lb using a torque wrench and use the same criss-cross pattern you used when tightening the nuts initially. Before you drive away, make sure that the brakes have pressure by pumping them a few times to ensure that normal brake pressure is being applied by the system. You will need to pump the brakes a few times before normal brake pressure returns.