Wednesday, September 14, 2011

How do i change the brake pads and rotors on a 2003 chevy cavalier?

I know that i can go buy a book at an auto parts store but i was just hoping that someone here could give me step by step instructions on how to do it. I wont be doing it by myself. My boyfriend is a mechanic and he's going to be helping me, but i'd really prefer to not look like a complete idiot.



i'd really really appreciate whatever help you could give me.



and a slight secondary question: (i understand that i am being exceptionally sexist here but...) i assume most of the answerers of this question will be male, so how would you want your girlfriend to repay you for working on her car?How do i change the brake pads and rotors on a 2003 chevy cavalier?
I have changed the pads and rotors many times now, and it is now easy to list step by step instructions on here, there are quite a few, but you could try googling it, and I am sure you will come up with some good hints and tips to doing it. If you have someone helping you then just ask what you can do to make it easier for him, it might be even throwing him wrenches (not litarally, getting the wrenches he needs if he doesent have them already) I am sure you could do that!



A good way to repay me (well say it was me) would be just a really meaning ful %26quot;Thank You%26quot; I am not talking about a BJ or anything, just a Thank You, but other guys might be expecting a BJ or sommething, I just enjoy working on cars so it isint a big deal, and I espically love working on my girl friends car. Sometimes a BJ is given in thanks, ther is no way I am going to tell her no for that lol!!



Good Luck!!How do i change the brake pads and rotors on a 2003 chevy cavalier?
A haynes manual costs about $20 and will help you learn most any repair aspects on your vehicle.

But for now, remove wheel, take off 2 hex head or torx head bolts on inside of caliper. Caliper slides off and both pads pop out. Push piston (behind one of the pads) back in to accommodate thickness in new pads. Pop off grease cap in middle of rotor. Pull cotter pin (keeps bolt from turning) loosen bolt. Pull rotor off. Pack grease into new bearings, and reinstall with new rotor, tighten bolt and install NEW cotter pin. Slide caliper back on, tighten hex heads and install wheel.

Take bf to Applebees for dinner.How do i change the brake pads and rotors on a 2003 chevy cavalier?
take the tire off, remove the caliper and bracket, remove old pads and rotor, compress caliper with c-clamp or large pliers. CLEAN AND LUBE all friction areas ( where the pads touch the calipers and brackets, not on rotor however i clean and lube where the hub meets the rotor), put on new parts and reassemble. very easy for a mechanic, maybe you should just sit back and watch him this time and be sure to ask questions and make him feel like you needed him. i mean after all he is saving you a couple hundred bucks probably. as for repaying him..... wow what a concept.... uhh....how about a six pack and a cutchie coupon.How do i change the brake pads and rotors on a 2003 chevy cavalier?
As for repaying the boyfriend, use your imagination !!! Best idea to start is to get some plastic gloves you can use. You will get dirty doing brakes. Remove the wheel and please remember to chock the wheels. You will see the caliper setting near the top and spray it with brake cleaner as you will be handling it a lot. Clean it good and give it a minute to dry. While waiting go under the hood and remove the top off the brake fluid reservoir. If it is just a screw cap on top then just loosen it well. The caliper that you have cleaned will have two bolts to hold them on. Remove them and pull caliper off the rotor. There is a cover in the center of the roter. Called a grease cap. Remove and there is a large nut with a cotter pin running through it. Straighten the pin and remove. Take large pliers and open them up to fit the nut. Remove the nut and the rotor will slide off. Put the new rotor on and replace the nut AND the cotter pin. If pin is old then buy a new one. Only pennies. Put the grease cap back on and you are in business. Now you will need a c-clamp to work on the new pads in the caliper. Attach clamp to the outside and the center of the brake pad. Slowly tighten the clamp and it will push old pads apart because new pads will be thicker. This is why you took the top off the fluid resivior to relieve the pressure. Replace the pads and you are ready to put the caliper back on. After alligning caliper then replace the bolts. STOP and before you do anything else replace any fluid you may need and put the cover back on the resivior. You did great and now ask the boyfriend to put the wheel back on. It's heavy and you are a girl !!! Come to think of it , cherry cheesecake is nice if served in the right place.....How do i change the brake pads and rotors on a 2003 chevy cavalier?
The auto manual is the best way to go,will have step by step

directions.

If you are the one changing the pads he owes you ! for not

having to dirty his hands.J.R.