?changing brake pads?

[3.4imp]

I need to change the brake pads on my 01 impala. I have always changed the brake pads on my honda civic and it was almost too easy. my question is, is it the same as a honda. meaning can i take the top off the brake resovoir so i don't have to bleed the brakes. also can i just use a c clamp to depress the piston. I also want to replace the rear pads. I need to know do you need any special tools? I wouldn't normally ask easy questions but when I did my spark plugs it was so hard I thought I was doing something wrong.

[maxwedge]

You will need a tool to screw in the rear caliper piston if equipped with the type of parking brake that actuates the pad, if it is the internal shoe type no special tool is needed to retract the piston. I would suggest using a clear neoprene tube from the caliper bleeder to a jar of brake fluid, back ff the bleeder and retract the caliper pistons this way to avoid possible contamination of the abs unit.

[bermis519]

i just take a clamp and push it back in with that...but i do it carefully so i don't push the piston sideways and mess it up. The impala brakes are easy only because i have replaced them a hundred and four times...lol...I have owned cars that had brakes that where easier to work on. I am to the point now it only takes me 15 minutes a side, which includes new rotor and pads. That includes taking the tire off...lol....

mike

[bigrod118]

I actually just took a look at mine today to see what shape they were in and while I have the 3.8, I dont think anything is different in the brakes between the two. but no special tools will be needed. just unscrew the bottom caliper guide pins in front and top caliper guide pins in back, rotate the caliper up and remove the pads and bremis is right you can just take a c clamp to push the piston back in, but you should remove the top of the master cylinder to relive some pressure and have the a place for the brake fluid to go. but one hint, take one of the old pads and put that against the piston then use a c clamp so you dont damage the piston and you dont push it in sideways ilke bremis said. I havent done many brakes and these look very very easy.