Rear Brake Pads: Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Pontiac Montana, 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and 2002 Chevrolet Venture. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Inspect the fluid level in the brake master cylinder reservoir. If the brake fluid level is midway between the maximum-full point and the minimum allowable level, then no brake fluid needs to be removed from the reservoir before proceeding. If the brake fluid level is higher than midway between the maximum-full point and the minimum allowable level, then remove brake fluid to the midway point before proceeding.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Remove the tire and wheel. Install 2 wheel nuts to secure the rotor.
- Install a C-clamp over the brake caliper and against the back of the outboard brake pad. Tighten the C-clamp until the brake caliper piston pushes into the brake caliper bore enough to slide the brake caliper off of the rotor. Remove the C-clamp from the brake caliper.
- Remove the upper caliper bolt. Rotate the brake caliper down in order to access the brake pads. Do not remove the brake caliper from the brake caliper bracket. Remove the brake pads from the caliper bracket. See Figure . Remove the brake pad retainers from the caliper bracket.
- Insert a block of wood or the old brake pad brake between the C-clamp and the brake caliper piston in order to prevent damage to the brake caliper piston and the brake caliper piston boot. Install a C-clamp over the brake caliper and against the block of wood or the old brake pad. Tighten the C-clamp until the brake caliper piston pushes completely into the brake caliper bore. Remove the C-clamp from the brake caliper.
- Inspect the brake caliper bolt boots for the following conditions:
- Cuts
- Tears
- Deterioration (Replace the brake caliper bolt boots if damage exists.)
- Cuts
- Tears
- Deterioration (Replace the brake caliper piston boot if damage exists.)