How to Perform a Brake Job on a 1998 Cadillac STS

The brake system on your 1998 Cadillac Seville STS consists of four main components: the master cylinder, calipers, rotors and pads. All of these components may wear out over time, but the brake pads wear out most frequently. Brake pads will typically need to be replaced every 20,000 to 30,000 miles on the front and 50,000 to 75,000 miles on the rear, depending on your driving style. The front brake pads wear out significantly quicker as they provide the primary stopping power.

Instructions

1

Loosen, but do not remove, the lug nuts on the front wheels with a tire iron. Raise the front of the vehicle with a jack and secure it on jack stands. Remove the lug nuts from the front wheels and pull the wheels off the vehicle.

2

Locate the two caliper bolts at the rear of the brake caliper, one upper and one lower. Loosen and remove the bolts with a ratchet and socket.

3

Pull the caliper from the brake system and hang it on the suspension with a bungee cord. This prevents damage to the brake hose.

4

Insert a flat head screwdriver beneath the metal clip holding the outboard brake pad to the caliper. Pry upward to release the clip from the caliper. Grasp the outboard brake pad and pull it from the brake caliper.

5

Place a C-clamp over the brake caliper so that the screw portion contacts the inboard brake pad and the fixed portion contacts the rear of the caliper body. Tighten the C-clamp until the brake pad stops moving. This compresses the internal caliper piston so there is clearance for the new, thicker brake pads.

6

Insert the screwdriver beneath the inboard brake pad and pry upwards until you can grasp it then pull it outward and away from the brake caliper. Take note of the metal fingers that go into the brake caliper piston and hold the inboard pad in place.

7

Guide the metal fingers of the new inboard brake pad into the caliper piston just as the old ones came out. Press the brake pad until it is fully seated on the caliper.

8

Place the outboard pad onto the brake caliper by guiding the metal clip on the rear over the body of the caliper. Slide the brake pad down until the clip seats into the groove on the caliper's body.

9

Remove the caliper from the bungee strap and place it back onto the brake assembly. Hand-tighten the upper and lower caliper bolts then tighten them fully with the ratchet and socket.

10

Repeat Steps 2 through 9 for the brake pads on the other side of the vehicle.

11

Remount the wheels onto the vehicle and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

12

Raise the car off the jack stands with the jack and lower it to the ground.

13

Tighten the lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and a socket. Press on the brake pedal repeatedly until it feels firm.