Rear Disc Brake Tool

I went to change the rear disc brakes on my 2000 Bonneville figuring it was just like the front.... WRONG.

It requires a special tool to remove the top bolt. It looks as if the bolt head is recessed into the brake mechanism or something like that. Does anyone know what tool could be used to change the brakes? Or what it is called so I can go purchase it?

Thanks

Magnum

I went to change the rear disc brakes on my 2000 Bonneville figuring it was just like the front.... WRONG.

It requires a special tool to remove the top bolt. It looks as if the bolt head is recessed into the brake mechanism or something like that. Does anyone know what tool could be used to change the brakes? Or what it is called so I can go purchase it?

Thanks

Magnum
50 or 55 torx bit I believe, star shaped recess in the bolt head?, if so it is one of those 2.

I'm not sure if that is it. When I got a mirror out and looked at the bolt head inside it was labels A6 with no hex, indent or nothing to grab onto. A 3/8" socket fits perfect in the hole, but there is no edge to the bold. It is a round top.

Magnum,
Don't feel alone! I did the same thing today on my wifes car.:banghead: I'm probably going to have to buy a manual for it maybe Haynes.

GOOD Luck!
Brian

I might just go down to the parts store and look through the manual to find the tool. If you hear of anything let me know as I will let you know if I hear anything.

I beleive the Bonneville shares the same rear brake system as the Grand Prix. If so, the rear caliper bolts are a standard 12 or 13mm (I can't remember) hex headed bolt. The top bolt to the bracket is close to the strut/spindle, and there's not much clearance.

Rich,
The top bolt or pin or what ever it is does not have a head on it unless it is capped? Are you talking about the caliper bracket to the spindle?

Magnum,
I was talking to a friend and he said that the caliper pivots on the top pin. I'm going to try it if I get a chance tomorrow.

Brian

I checked, and the Bonneville is different than the Grand Prix, and the bolt does have a cap over it. The AC-Delco part number for the upper bolt is 179-1203, and it includes the bushing. It has a 10mm head. For reference, the lower bolt is a 179-1202, and has a 13mm head.

Thanks Rich. I'm gonna tackle it today!

Brian

Magnum,Rich,
Brake job successfully completed! The top bolt is as Rich said, But! It does not have to be removed. This is how I did the job...

1. Jack the car up and place on jack stands.

2. Remove rear wheel.

3. Remove the lower caliper bolt with the 12mm wrench.

4. Remove the bolt that holds the emergency brake cable to the control arm (12mm head) if I remember correctly.

5. Pry the caliper up off of the brake pads and let the caliper pivot on the upper Bolt/Pin.

6. Slide the caliper off the pin and remove the caliper.

7. Remove the old pads.

8. Turn in the brake piston with one of those nifty special universal (Fits all) tools that you can purchase from the parts store.

9. Clean the break pad mounting hardware on the caliper bracket and lightly lube with grease. (Very thin coat of grease in this area)

10. Apply grease to the upper pin.

11. Install the new brake pads.

12. Install the caliper on the upper pin being careful the the little rubber boot goes back on correctly.

13. Push the lower sleeve for the lower caliper bolt in and rotate the caliper into position.

14. Tighten the lower pin to the manufacturers specs. (I used a little anti sieze on the threads because some rust was starting on the threads.)

15. Re-install the emergency brake cable bracket bolt.

16. Re-install rear wheel and torque to manufacturers specs.



And that's how I did it.

Brian