Brakes

[Flyers92]

How do you go about replacing the back brakes on 03 alero? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[BNaylor]

It would help to post what Alero model you have to include whether disc brakes since some lower models have the old drum style on the rear.

For rear disc brakes jack up the side you are going to start replacement on and safely support with jackstands or similar. Remove the wheel. Release the emergency brake handle. The rear rotor assemblies have an inner part for the emergency brakes. Remove caliper. Two 15mm bolts which are also the caliper sliding pins. Remove bolt/sliding pins and then lift caliper up and out. Set aside with brake line connected. Remove the inner and outer pads. Remove the caliper bracket if you are going to replace or turn down the rotors. Two 13mm bolts. Then remove the disc rotor. You may have to use WD40 and carefully tap on the drum portion with a hammer at varying spots to get the rotor assembly free from the hub.

Assembly is reverse of above. Notes: Be sure to properly torque lug nuts in a star pattern to 100 ft-lbs. Use hi-temp brake grease on the caliper sliding pins. Clean off old first. To get the new pads on you will have to compress the caliper piston with a c-clamp tool or undo the bleeder valve on the caliper which will require proper bleeding to get air out of the system. Always check level of master cylinder when bleeding brakes.

Also, with rotor removed check the condition of the emergency brake pads and replace if necessary. If pads are in good condition with sufficient material then you can adjust the emergency brakes. There is a star adjuster at the top of the hub.