Ok Here Goes...97 Lumi...3.1...For cryin out loud!!!

[Myxlplyxxx]

Well She needs ball joints...easy job??? Whats this about drillin' rivits out...and yes I do need a puller...LOL...2nd... BRAKES... Easy Job? Its my 1st time on them...and I have done alot on this car but just wanna be sure I can handle the job...... Thanx in advance to all who reply!!!

[Hearts88]

Originally Posted by Myxlplyxxx

Well She needs ball joints...easy job??? Whats this about drillin' rivits out...and yes I do need a puller...LOL...2nd... BRAKES... Easy Job? Its my 1st time on them...and I have done alot on this car but just wanna be sure I can handle the job...... Thanx in advance to all who reply!!!

Well, I dont' know about the ball joints in this car.

However the brakes should be easy. Are you doing the front or back or both?
Discs in front,,, do you have discs or drums in the back?


The front should be easy... remove the tire, unbolt the caliper. Should be 2 bolts on this. I believe an "alan" (Hex) type socket. Don't know the size.
Unbolt these... The caliper and brake should lift out. At this point the discs should slide off if you need to replace these.

Remove the pads from the caliper.
Take the brake resivoir cap off, and use a clamp or a large pair of channel locking pliers to compress the caliper.
Install your new pads and put eveything back on.
I would sugjest putting some anti-sieze on the bolts that hold the caliper on.

If you got discs in the back... the procedure is much the same. Except there is only one bolt for the caliper. The spot where a 2nd bolt would be, is just a a pivot. Unbolt and then lift the caliper, should fold up like a door. Pop out the pads and replace. Don't forget to compress the caliper. The discs should just slide off if you are replacing those on the back.

Haven't actually seen the drums since I have discs all around.
But it shouldn't be unlike any other drum brakes.
Lots of springs and stuff, if you have drums and need a walk through, let me know.
Hope this helps.
Hearts88

[troy1]

Ball Joints are easy. Just drill the rivets out. I used a cutoff wheel cuz I hate drilling them out and then used a punch to knock um out. Just make sure you separate the ball joint before you try drilling out the rivets.

[Myxlplyxxx]

Discs front... Drums Back... I got a haynes manual to help it along and the fronts seem like a breeze( already replaced .... Radiator.../water pump.../ac compressor.../harmonic balancer.../alternator.../belt tensioner.../battery...tierods(outer) and Had the rack-n-pinion replaced per a recall on the car.../ but thnx for the help(advice) on the brakes as Im just a bit nervous on this... I know the backs are a bit more involved with the hardware kits and a couple special tools but might give em a try too...MAYBE.....


MYX

[richtazz]

Rear drum brakes are easy. Take both rear wheels off and both drums, but do one side at a time. That way you have the other side to reference as to where the different springs go. Get some brake lubricant, and apply it to the spots where the shoes contact the backing plate. Most cars have a leading and trailing shoe. The leading shoe will have a shorter piece of friction and it always goes toward the front of the vehicle.