how to change brake pads on my 98 chevy malibu

[TammyO1965]

My husband tried to change the brake pads on my 98 malibu yesterday and couldnt figure out how to do it he has changed them and the routers on our other cars but they are older can anyone help?

[muzikluver]

This is actually pretty simple

Tools: Large C-clamp to compress piston, Somthing to draw Brake Fluid out of reservor with, Sockets and openend wrenchs.

1. Open brake fluid reservor, place c-clamp around caliper and compress piston by squezing the outer pad directly. Do this SLOWLY because fluid level will rise. Draw out small amounts of fluid (dont draw out too much, keep above min. line). The caliper and pads are now loose. Replace cap on brake reservor.

2. The caliper is attached by two bolts (upper ans lower) on the back side. Use an open ended wrench to hold caliper pin in place and use a socket wrench to loosen the bolt. (if also replacing the rotor, remove both and hang the caliper on the suspension spring, if only doing the pads, just remove the lower bolt.) Now caliper can be fliped up. Slide the old pads out of the rails. Use c-clamp and step #1 to press the piston the rest of the way in to make room for new pads.

3. Clean all parts.

4. Apply anti squeel compond to back of new pads. Apply small amount of caliper grease to pad rails and then slide new pads in to rails. Lower the caliper back over the pads and replace the bolt.

5. Clean everything again just to be sure.

6. Finally, open the prake fluid reservor and top it off. Close it and then pump the brake pedal to set the pads into place. Check the fluid level again and correct as nessasary.

Thats about it!!!

If you are replacing the rotors, you will need to remove the pad rail bracket to get off the hub.

Also, if the oldpads are not worn evenly, you may have to replace any or all of the following:

rotors
calipers
caliper pins/bolts
pad rails/clips (metal pieces that are clipped in)

hope this is helpful!!! (I also recommend that you get the CHILTON's service manuel for the malibu, its very helpful)

[bcopeland]

Roger that, muzikluver!