How to Replace the Brake Pads in a 1995 Oldsmobile Achieva

Oldsmobile introduced the Achieva in 1992. The 1995 Oldsmobile Achieva came equipped with the option of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, or a 3.1-liter V-6 engine. The 1995 Achieva had vented disc brakes on the front and drum brakes on the rear. The Achieva's front-disc brakes incorporate a brake caliper system that compresses the brake pads against the rotors. The friction created between the pads and rotors helps to stop the car. Changing the pads is a challenging yet rewarding task that will provide you with greater safety and better handling of your 1995 Achieva.

Instructions

1

Park the Achieva on a level surface. Raise the hood on the car, and then visually locate the brake reservoir within the engine compartment. Check the level of the reservoir. If the reservoir is at or near the "Full" mark, use a turkey baster or small bottle siphon to remove the fluid down about 1/4-inch from the "Full" mark. Adding new pads is going to displace fluid within the brake lines back into the reservoir. An over-filled reservoir will overflow, causing a brake fluid spill.

2

Loosen the front wheel lug nuts, but do not remove them yet. Raise the front of the Oldsmobile up using a 2-ton jack, or a jack with greater capacity. Place jack stands beneath the lower subframe, found on either side of the bottom of the engine. Remove the lug nuts completely from the vehicle at this time, and then remove the wheels. Use the wheel and tire assemblies as a makeshift seat while working on the brakes, if you do not prefer to sit on the ground.

3

Remove the caliper mounting bolts from one side of the Achieva, using a 3/8-ratchet with a hex head or Allen-head bit. Turn the bolts counterclockwise in relation to their position on the car. Use a small pry bar to remove the caliper from the rotor assembly. Hold the caliper in one hand while applying a C-clamp over the caliper assembly. Press an old brake pad against the piston on the inside rear of the caliper. Tighten the C-clamp against the brake pad. Turn the C-clamp slowly about 1/2-turn at a time, in order to compress the caliper piston completely.

4

Hang the caliper from the front strut using a piece of wire or a metal clothes hanger. Do not let the caliper hang freely so as not to damage the rubber brake hose. Remove the old brake pads completely from the brake caliper. Visually and physically inspect the front rotors for excess grooves or channels on the front and back of the rotor. Make two or three measurements with a micrometer to gain the overall thickness measurements of the rotor. The minimum rotor thickness is 0.751 inches, while the nominal thickness is 0.796 inches. Replace any rotor that is below 0.736 inches thick.

5

Lubricate the shim plates or thin metal plates on the rear of one set of pads. Install the inner brake pad by simply pushing the spring clip into the brake caliper piston. Install the outer pad by sliding the pad buttons or holders onto the outside of the caliper. Use a small pry bar to help you attach the outer pad, if necessary.

6

Pull the slide tubes from the caliper using your fingers or a pair of pliers. The slide tubes are metal tubes that sit within the rubber boots on the rear of the caliper. Thoroughly lubricate the slide tubes with caliper grease, and then reinsert them into their rubber boot housings on the caliper. Place the caliper assembly with the new brake pads onto the brake assembly. Tighten the caliper mounting bolts to 38-foot-pounds -- 456-inch-pounds -- using a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench and the 3/8-inch drive hex head bit.

7

Repeat Steps 3 through 6 to complete the pad replacement on the second side of the Achieva. Thoroughly coat both brake assemblies with aerosol brake cleaner spray. Spray the fronts and rears of both rotors to remove any possible grease residue or fingerprints. Oil from your fingers can damage the new pads and the rotors, due to excess heat transference.

8

Reinstall the front wheels on the car and tighten the lug nuts until they are snug, using a tire iron. Raise the front of the vehicle with your jack, and remove the jack stands from beneath the car. Lower the car to the ground. Immediately torque the wheel lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds, using a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and a socket. Check the brake fluid reservoir, and add or remove brake fluid as necessary to place the fluid level at the "Full" mark.