Front Brake Rotor Replacement
Front Brake Rotor Replacement
Special Tools
* J-41013 - Rotor Resurfacing Kit
* J-42450-A - Wheel Hub Resurfacing Kit
Warning: Refer to Brake Dust Warning (Brake Dust Warning).
Removal Procedure
1. Inspect the fluid level in the brake master cylinder reservoir.
2. If the brake fluid level is midway between the maximum-full point and the minimum allowable level, no brake fluid needs to be removed from the reservoir before proceeding.
3. If the brake fluid level is higher than midway between the maximum-full point and the minimum allowable level, remove brake fluid to the midway point before proceeding.
4. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
5. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
6. If installing the original brake rotor, mark the relationship of the brake rotor to the hub.
7. Compress the brake caliper pistons.
1. Install 2 large C-clamps over the top of the caliper housing and against the back of the outboard brake pad.
2. Slowly tighten the C-clamps until the caliper pistons are pushed completely into the caliper bores.
3. Remove the C-clamps from the caliper.
Caution: Support the brake caliper with heavy mechanic wire, or equivalent, whenever it is separated from its mount and the hydraulic flexible brake hose is still connected. Failure to support the caliper in this manner will cause the flexible brake hose to bear the weight of the caliper, which may cause damage to the brake hose and in turn may cause a brake fluid leak.
Note: Remove the brake caliper bracket and the brake caliper as an assembly.
8. Remove the 2 brake caliper bracket mounting bolts.
9. Remove the caliper and bracket assembly and support with heavy mechanics wire or equivalent.
10. Remove the brake rotor retaining push nuts from the wheel studs, if necessary.
11. Remove the brake rotor screw.
Note: Perform the following service procedures to separate the brake rotor from the wheel hub.
12. Install the wheel nuts on the wheel studs.
13. Using a deadblow hammer, strike the rotor between the wheel studs to separate the rotor from the wheel hub.
14. Remove the wheel nuts.
15. Remove the rotor.
16. If the brake rotor does not separate from the wheel hub, perform the following steps.
* Clean all the surface areas and the threaded holes of contamination.
* Generously apply penetrating oil or equivalent to the hub/rotor area.
* Insert 2 M10 x 1.5 bolts into the threaded holes of the rotor.
* Tighten the bolts evenly to force the rotor from the hub.
Installation Procedure
Note: Whenever the brake rotor has been separated from the hub/axle flange, any rust or contaminants should be cleaned from the hub/axle flange and the brake rotor mating surfaces. Failure to do this may result in excessive assembled lateral runout (LRO) of the brake rotor, which could lead to brake pulsation.
1. Using the J-42450-A - Wheel Hub Resurfacing Kit , clean all rust and contaminants from the mating surface of the hub flange.
2. Using the J-41013 - Rotor Resurfacing Kit , clean all rust and contaminants from the inside diameter of the hat section of the brake rotor to prevent any foreign material from getting between the brake rotor and the hub flange.
3. Inspect the mating surfaces of the hub/axle flange and the rotor to ensure that there are no foreign particles or debris remaining.
Note: If the rotor was removed using the jack screw method you must ensure that the hub flange is free of nicks or marks caused by this procedure. Remove all raised nicks or marks before installing the rotor.
4. Align the rotor to its original position on the hub, if applicable, and install the rotor.
Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).
5. Install the brake rotor screw and tighten to 12 Nm (106 lb in).
6. Install the brake caliper and brake caliper bracket.
7. Perform the following procedure before installing the brake caliper bracket mounting bolts.
1. Remove all traces of the original adhesive patch.
2. Clean the threads of the bolts with brake parts cleaner or equivalent and allow to dry.
3. Apply threadlocker GM P/N 12345493 (Canadian P/N 10953488) to the threads of the bolts.
8. Install the 2 brake caliper bracket mounting bolts and tighten to 175 Nm (129 lb ft).
9. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
10. With the engine OFF, gradually apply the brake pedal to approximately 2/3 of its travel distance.
11. Slowly release the brake pedal.
12. Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 10-11 until a firm pedal is obtained to properly seat the caliper pistons and the brake pads.
13. Fill the master cylinder reservoir to the proper level with clean brake fluid, if necessary. Refer to Master Cylinder Reservoir Filling (Master Cylinder Reservoir Filling).
14. If the brake rotor was refinished or replaced, burnish the brake pads and rotors. Refer to Brake Pad and Rotor Burnishing (Procedures).