Special Tools Needed For Brake Removal?

[hyunelan2]

Hello everyone. This is my first post, but I'm not new to cars.

I'm helping a friend out with his 2001 Alero this Sunday. New pads and rotors on both the front and rear. I've read up and searched around about the Alero brakes (which sound less then great by people's expereinces).

My question: Is there any 'special' tool needed to remove the Alero brake components? I know I've read before that some GM vehicles require something to get the calipers off, or something like that.

I haven'd done anything on a GM since I got rid of my '86 Camaro in 2002.


Thanks a ton guys.

[mfuller]

No special tools needed - but all the fasteners are metric.

[hyunelan2]

Thanks a ton. Metric tools aren't a problem.

One more question. I've read people say that the brake lines need bleeding after changing pads, others have said no. Is bleeding necessary on this car?

[bigd6983]

nope you dont need 2........just make sure you have something to push the piston back into the caliper.....

[mfuller]

Generally, no. You will need something to press the caliper piston back into it's bore before you remove the caliper (a 10" C-clamp works well).....take the cap off the master cylinder reservior to make it a bit easier - just remember to re-install it and pump the brakes before you go for a test drive!

[Vtolds]

Cool you came over to Aleromod hyunelan2. I am VTElantra on ElantraXD. You are definetly in the right place to get Alero help :thumb:

[sound_xtreme]

you're actually supposed to open the bleeders when pushing the piston back in, so ya, technically, the brakes should be bled. the reason for this is so if you push any dirt back in through the piston most will go out of the bleeder. dirt + abs = bad

[Oldsmopimp]

ya, basically what they all sed. Take the cap off the master cylinder, cover with a shop rag(just in case) Have C-Clamp vice grips ready to hole the pistons in place, and bam.....ur done.

[Jbone]

I need help...

I removed the bottom bolt and the caliper won't swing up!!? Is there something else I need to do? It moves about 1/2" then stops. It feels like it’s hung on something. I pulled hard on it and it won't budge. I tried removing the top bolt too and it is still stuck. I really don't feel like breaking anything. Am I going to have to bleed them?

(I'll try my back caliper while I wait for a response.)

THANKS!!!

[mfuller]

You need to compress the caliper piston back into it's bore before the caliper will come off.....hence the C-clamp recommendation.

[Jbone]

Yesterday, I found a shortcut to the C-Clamp method. I rebolted the calipers and I pulled on the lower left corner of the rotor. It was just the right amount of leverage to push the piston in. It's a much faster and safe way to do it. I figured I'd post this for anyone else that runs into the same problem.

I'm doing the other side of my car today. The only real problem I ran into is my new rear rotor wouldn't fit onto the hub. The stock one would slide on and off. It looks like one of my aftermarket SR rotors weren't bored out to the right diameter (it’s too small) and it won't fit over the parking brake pads. I pulled and released the parking brake a few times and it didn't help. I ended up using the other rear rotor and it fit. I really hope it fits on the other side because I want to be done with this project today.

[Jbone]

Alright! It fit. It wasn't the easiest project I ever did but I'm done. The car drives great again. :grin: