How to Remove Front Rotors on a 1999 Monte Carlo

Chevy brought the Monte Carlo back to life in 1995, this time with the racing slicks mounted on the front wheels, because the Monte Carlo was now a front-wheel drive car. The front rotors on the 1999 Chevy Monte Carlo are rotor hats, meaning they fit over the hub's lug studs like a hat fits on a head. A rear-wheel drive car, in contrast, integrates the brake rotor with the wheel hub and bearings.

Instructions

1

Park the car on a solid level surface, with the transmission in gear or park, if it is an automatic transmission. Insert blocks behind the rear wheels so the car cannot roll backwards. Break loose all the lug nuts, but don't remove them until the car is jacked up and supported by jack stands.

2

Loosen the master cylinder lid to allow for fluid expansion when the clamp pushes the piston back into caliper, but don't completely remove the lid. The master cylinder is located under the hood, mounted on the firewall; it's the place where the brake fluid goes.

3

Center a floor jack under the Monte Carlo's front frame and jack it up. Insert two jack stands, one near each wheel under the car's frame. Remove the lug nuts and both front wheels.

4

Saddle a C-clamp over the caliper and squeeze the caliper piston back into the caliper.

5

Remove the two bolts from the brake caliper, lift the caliper off the spindle. Move the caliper out of the way, taking care not to damage the hydraulic brake line.

6

Remove the brake rotor from the wheel hub. Some brake rotors may be secured to the hub by a small C-clip over the lug stud; the clip must be removed to remove the rotor. Use a screwdriver or snap-ring pliers to remove the clip.