GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Holden 🢒 2008 🢒 Captiva 🢒 Preface 🢒 Cautions and Notices 🢒 Front Disc Brake Pads Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Caution: Avoid taking the following actions when you service wheel brake parts:

       • Do not grind brake linings.
       • Do not sand brake linings.
       • Do not clean wheel brake parts with a dry brush or with compressed air.
    Some models or aftermarket brake parts may contain asbestos fibers which can become airborne in dust. Breathing dust with asbestos fibers may cause serious bodily harm. Use a water-dampened cloth in order to remove any dust on brake parts. Equipment is available commercially in order to perform this washing function. These wet methods prevent fibers from becoming airborne.

    Caution: Brake fluid may irritate eyes and skin. In case of contact, take the following actions:

       • Eye contact--rinse thoroughly with water.
       • Skin contact--wash with soap and water.
       • If ingested--consult a physician immediately.

    Notice: Brake fluid will damage electrical connections and painted surfaces. Use shop cloths, suitable containers, and fender covers to prevent brake fluid from contacting these areas. Always re-seal and wipe off brake fluid containers to prevent spills.

  1. If necessary, use a siphon in order to remove brake fluid from the reservoir.
  2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  3. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.

    4. Object Number: 1764676 Size: SH

    Important: Caliper removal is not necessary to service the brake pads.

  4. Remove the brake caliper lower guide pin bolt.

    5. Notice: 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.

    Important: DO NOT disconnect the hydraulic brake flexible hose from the caliper.

  5. Pivot the caliper upward and secure the caliper with heavy mechanics wire or equivalent.
  6. Remove the brake pads.

Inspection Procedure
  1. Inspect the brake pads for wear. If the pad thickness is less than the specification, replace the brake pads. Refer to Brake Pad Inspection.
  2. Inspect the disc brake hardware. Replace components as necessary. Refer to Front Disc Brake Mounting and Hardware Inspection.
  3. Inspect the caliper. Repair or replace components as necessary. Refer to Brake Caliper Inspection.

    4. Important: Refinish or replace the rotor ONLY if the condition of the rotor requires service. DO NOT refinish the rotor if the brake pads are the only components requiring service.

  4. Measure the brake rotor thickness. Refinish or replace the rotor as necessary. Refer to Brake Rotor Thickness Measurement.
  5. Measure the brake rotor thickness variation. Refinish or replace the rotor as necessary. Refer to Brake Rotor Thickness Variation Measurement.
  6. Inspect the surface of the brake rotor. Refinish or replace the rotor as necessary. Refer to Brake Rotor Surface and Wear Inspection.
  7. Measure the brake rotor assembled lateral runout. Refinish or replace the rotor as necessary. Refer to Brake Rotor Assembled Lateral Runout Measurement.

Installation Procedure
  1. Clean the surfaces of the 2 pistons which contact the inner brake pad.
  2. Clean the surface of the caliper which contacts the outer brake pad.

    3. Object Number: 728143 Size: SH
  3. If the 2 pistons are not compressed into the caliper bores, complete the following steps:
    4. 3.1. Place an old brake pad (2) or a block of wood against the 2 caliper pistons.
    3.2. Install a large C-clamp over the body of the brake caliper.

    Position 1 end of the clamp against the caliper body adjacent to the brake hose fitting. Position the other end of the clamp against the old brake pad or the wood.

    3.3. Tighten the clamp in order to compress the caliper pistons into the bores.
    3.4. Remove the clamp and the old pad or the wood.
  4. Install the brake pads.

    5. Important: If reusing the brake caliper guide pin bolt, the threads of the brake caliper guide pin bolt and the threads of the guide pin must be free of threadlocker residue and debris prior to the application of threadlocker to ensure proper adhesion and fastener retention.

  5. If reusing the brake caliper guide pin bolt, prepare the guide pin bolt and the guide pin as follows:
    6. 5.1. Thoroughly clean the threadlocker residue from the guide pin bolt threads with denatured alcohol or equivalent and allow to dry.
    5.2. Thoroughly clean the threadlocker residue from the guide pin threads with denatured alcohol or equivalent and allow to dry.
  6. Apply high-temperature, high-strength threadlocker to 2/3 of the threaded length of the brake caliper guide pin bolt.

    7. Ensure there are no gaps in the threadlocker along the length of the filled area of the guide pin bolt.

  7. Allow the threadlocker to cure approximately 10 minutes before installing the guide pin bolts.

    8. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1764676 Size: SH

    Important: Do not damage the piston dust seal when the caliper is pulled downward to reinstall the caliper lower guide pin bolt.

  8. Install the brake caliper lower guide pin bolt.

    9. Tighten
    Tighten the caliper lower guide pin bolt to 44 N·m (32 lb ft).

  9. Install the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  10. Lower the vehicle.
  11. With the engine OFF, gradually apply and release the brake pedal several times in order to position the caliper pistons.
  12. Fill the master cylinder reservoir, if necessary. Refer to Master Cylinder Reservoir Filling.
  13. Burnish the pads and the rotors. Refer to Brake Pad and Rotor Burnishing.