How to Replace the Disk Brake Pads in a '94 Buick Regal

Changing the brake pads on your Regal can be done right at home in an hour or less with a few minor tools. Depending on your particular driving conditions, the brake pads could last 30,000 miles or more. Strenuous driving activities such as high-speed stop-and-go traffic, and daily highway traveling wears down the brake pads more quickly. The 1994 Buick Regal has dual-piston brake calipers, so the process of changing the brake pads is slightly different from a single-piston brake caliper.

Instructions

1

Raise the hood on your Regal, and remove the cap on the brake-fluid reservoir. Use a baster to remove half of the brake fluid in the reservoir. Do not discard the fluid because it can be reused after you change all of the brake pads.

2

Apply the Regals emergency brake, and use your lug wrench to slightly loosen the lug nuts on the front driver-side tire, but dont remove them.

3

Raise the car with a car jack, and slide your jack stand into position on the left of the car jack. Lift the support arm on the jack stand to the same height of the car jack, and return its locking pin to secure the support arm. You dont have to remove the car jack. Leave it in place for extra support.

4

Remove all of the lug nuts from the tire, and slide it off the hub. Set the tire to the side of your work area along with its lug nuts to avoid misplacing them.

5

Loosen and remove the two bolts on the inner side of the brake caliper with a socket wrench. Set a five-gallon bucket right next to the brake caliper, and slide the caliper off the rotor using both hands.

6

Remove the outer brake pad on the caliper by sliding it off its mounting position. It will require a bit of force in some cases, but using a flat-head screwdriver to pry it off is OK. Dont remove the inner brake pad yet. The inner brake pad can be used to help you bottom out both of the caliper pistons.

7

Place an eight-inch C-clamp around the brake caliper, and wind it shut until it makes contact with the inner brake pad. Continue winding the C-clamp shut until both pistons behind the brake pad go completely down into their bore holes. Remove the C-clamp, and then remove the inner brake pad by popping it out of each piston. The inner brake pad has two metal springs on the back of it that hold it in position inside each piston. No special tool is needed; the pad just pops out by gently pulling it outward.

8

Install your new inner brake pad first. Push down on the brake pad until its fully seated on both sides in each piston. Snap the outer brake pad back into its original mounting position just as you removed it.

9

Slide the brake caliper back over the rotor, and start each of its mounting bolts by hand to assure proper alignment. Set your 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to 80 ft-lbs., and completely secure the brake caliper in place. Remove the five-gallon bucket.

10

Place the tire back on the hub, and tighten each of its lug nuts until they are snug. Remove the jack stand, and lower the Regal until the tire makes contact with the ground, but not all the way down. Reset the torque wrench to 100 ft-lbs., and continue tightening the lug nuts in a star pattern until secure. Lower the car completely.

11

Release the emergency brake, and begin pumping your brake pedal until you feel it stiffen. Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir and add fluid if needed from the baster. Replace the reservoir cap securely. Follow these steps to successfully replace the brake pads on the three remaining tires.