How to Replace Brakes on a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Check your owner's manual to see how often you should replace the brakes on your 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass. This estimate will be based on whether you drive city or highway and on the number of miles you drive. Alternatively, you can wait until your brakes wear out and emit a loud squeal, but that is not advisable.

Instructions

1

Park your Cutlass on a level surface and apply the parking brake. Place two wood chocks in front of the front wheels and two behind the front wheels.

2

Lift up the car by placing the jack under the frame of the car in the back and use the jack to lift the car up off the ground. Position two jack stands under the car on the axle, one jack stand next to each wheel. Now lower the car onto the jack stands.

3

Use the lug nut wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the two rear wheels. Remove the lug nuts, then remove the two back wheels.

4

Find two bolts attached to a caliper. Remove the bolts with an adjustable wrench. Set the caliper on the axle, and be careful not to let it drop on the ground.

5

Push in the brake pads. If you have trouble doing this, you can use a C-clamp to press them in.

6

Pry the spring clips open and remove the pads. If the pads won't move, remove them with a screwdriver.

7

Spread some silicone grease on the backside of each new brake pad and place the pads in the same place the old pads were. Put on the spring clips to hold pads in place.

8

Put the caliper back on and tighten the two bolts.

9

Put the wheel back on the car and tighten the lug nuts. Jack up the car and remove the jack stands. Lower the car to the ground and tighten the lug nuts.

10

Look under the hood for the master cylinder brake fluid container. You can find it on the driver's side at the back of the engine compartment. Check to see if the brake fluid is low. If it is, top it off.