How to Do a Brake Job on a Chevy Aveo

A complete brake job on a Chevy Aveo is not difficult to do. It is a bit time-consuming, so you should set aside a day to do it so you do not feel like you are rushing. The time that you spend on the project can mean savings over labor costs. Both sets of brakes make use of friction to slow and stop your Chevy. The main difference is that the front uses disc brakes, which are much easier to replace than the rear drum brakes.

Instructions

Rear Drum Brakes

1

Park your Chevy Aveo on a level, paved surface. Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires. Open the engine compartment. Siphon two-thirds of the brake fluid from the master cylinder into a drain pan. Raise the rear of the Aveo with an automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the car near the jacking point and raise it to the frame. Lower the jack so that the car is resting on the jack stand. Pull the jack from under the car and move it to the other side. Raise the car on that side and place a jack stand under it near the jacking point. Lower the jack enough that the car is now resting on both jack stands.

2

Loosen then remove the lug nuts from the wheels with a lug wrench then pull the wheels off the car. Loosen the parking brake cable on the wheel. Remove the hub nut with a wrench. Pull the brake drum off the wheel assembly.

3

Remove the retaining spring from the lead brake shoe. Use a pair of pliers to push in the washer and rotate it 1/4-turn until it comes off. Disconnect the upper connecting link spring to relieve pressure on the upper return spring with the pliers. Remove the upper return spring and the brake adjuster with the pliers. Disconnect the trailing shoe return spring with the pliers.

4

Remove the retaining spring from the trailing shoe. Use the pliers to push in the washer and rotate it 1/4-turn until it comes off. Disconnect the lower return spring. Clean the springs with brake cleaning solvent. Turn the brake adjuster so that it is closed. Attach the parking brake to the shoe lever.

5

Install the new trailing shoe and push the retaining spring and washer on while twisting it 1/4-turn until it locks into place. Hook the lower return spring to the trailing shoe with the pliers. Install the new leading brake shoe and secure it with the retaining spring and washer. Push in on the washer with the pliers while twisting it 1/4-turn until it locks into place. Install the adjuster assembly between the brake shoes. Attach the upper link spring to put tension on the return spring. Install the upper return spring with the pliers. Put the brake drum back on the wheel and tighten the hub nut with the wrench. Replace the wheels on the car and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Raise the car on one side with the automobile jack so you can pull the jack stand out from under the Aveo. Lower the car to the ground. Raise the other side of the car and pull that jack stand from under it. Lower the car to the ground.

Front Disc Brakes

6

Place the wheel chocks behind the rear tires. Raise the Chevy Aveo up with the automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the car near the jacking point and raise it to the frame. Lower the jack so that the Chevy is resting on the jack stand. Raise the other side of the car with the automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the car near the jacking point and raise it to the frame. Lower the jack enough that the car is now resting on the jack stands.

7

Remove the lug nuts from the wheels with the lug wrench and pull the wheels off the Chevy. Loosen the brake caliper with a socket and ratchet and pull it from the mounting bracket. Remove the brake pads by pulling them out of the caliper. Push the caliper piston back into the housing. Insert the new brake pads and put the caliper back on the mounting bracket. Tighten the bolts with the socket and ratchet.

8

Put the wheels back on the Aveo and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Raise the car high enough with the automobile jack so that you are able to pull the jack stand out on that side. Lower the Chevy to the ground and then raise the other side high enough to pull that jack stand out. Lower the car to the ground.

9

Pump the brakes several times, after installing the new brake shoes and pads, until the pedal feels firm. This will seat the shoes and pads against the drums and rotors. Add brake fluid to the master cylinder if necessary.