How to Replace a Power Slot Slotted Rotor From a Scion Xa 2006

While your rotors may only require inspection every 5,000 miles as Scion suggests, they can be severely damaged from a bad brake pad replacement. The Power Slot slotted rotors on your XA are designed to produce better stopping power. The rotors also help to keep the braking surface of the pads and the rotors free of dust and debris. However the symptoms of a defective rotor are identical to ordinary rotors. Common signs include hard metal grinding when you apply the brakes or brake fade during stopping attempts. You can repair the rotors at home with a few minor tools.

Instructions

1

Apply the Xa's emergency brake and then use a lug wrench to loosen the front, driver's-side tire lug nuts a quarter-turn counterclockwise.

2

Raise the car with a hydraulic jack beneath the frame rail just behind the tire. Place a jack stand on the immediate right of the hydraulic jack to help support the car's weight.

3

Remove all of the lug nuts by hand and slide the tire off the studs. If the lug nuts aren't loose enough to remove by hand, use your lug wrench to loosen them again.

4

Locate the round, metal piston pushing at the rear of the inner brake pad. In order for you to replace the rotor and have the brake caliper fit back over it, you have to compress the piston back down into its bore hole. The bore hole is the rounded chamber from which the piston protrudes.

5

Place an 8-inch C-clamp around the body of the brake caliper. Wind the C-clamp's screw down until it touches the surface of the outer brake pad. Continue winding the C-clamp shut slowly while you observe the piston retracting. Once the piston has completely retracted, loosen and remove the C-clamp.

6

Remove the two bolts holding the caliper mounting bracket in place with your socket wrench. The brake caliper mounts to the bracket, so don't remove the caliper's bolts, just the brackets.

7

Place a 5-gallon bucket right next to the caliper/mounting bracket assembly. Lift the assembly vertically off the rotor and set it down on top of the bucket.

8

Remove the old Power Slot slotted rotor by pulling it away from the hub in an outward motion. Install the new rotor in the same orientation as the old rotor.

9

Lift the caliper/mounting bracket assembly off the bucket with both hands and lower it back down over the rotor. Start each of its mounting bolts by hand to assure they thread correctly. Set your 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to 65 foot-pounds and secure both bolts in place. Remove the bucket from your immediate working area.

10

Remount the tire and return all of its lug nuts by hand. Tighten all of the lug nuts until snug with your lug wrench, then remove the jack stand. Lower the hydraulic jack until the Xa's tires touches the ground--just enough to create traction. Reset your torque wrench to 76 foot-pounds and continue tightening the lug nuts until secured. Completely lower the Xa and remove the hydraulic jack. Pump the brake pedal slowly until it stiffens before you take the car for a test drive.