Questions about a front brake job
 

My front brakes need to be replaced. I have some basic tools, but are there any special tools that I will need to perform this job? How big of a C clamp do I need to press the piston down after I take the calipers off? Are there any tools that would make the job much easier such as an Allen socket? I recently swapped the brakes on a Cavalier and it would have been easy but I only had a plain Allen wrench instead of a socket and while it wasn't hard by any measure, it was tedious and time consuming. My C clamp was also too small to fit around the caliper and piston and I was barely able to get the pistons to go down. What size Allen socket will I need to remove the caliper assembly? Will changing the pads be much more difficult than changing the pads on the Cavalier? Before I change it, I will watch some videos of replacements but I'd like some feedback and special tips if there are any. Thanks in advance for your input.

It's really not that bad of a job. I did front and back pads and rotors back in November. Here is a video that I found helpful.


Good luck!

You will often find that the SEARCH TOOL at the top of the page will get you the info faster than waiting for someone to respond. IE: doing a search for ~front brake pads~
will quickly get you a link to this:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...-06-hhr-15226/

You will also need to reference this (found by searching for ~torque values~) for the tightening torques for the caliper and wheel fasteners: https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...e-items-54648/

The main thing you need to do is "inspect the rotors"!

A 6" C-clamp works for me.

There are a few detailed posts on the subject.

A 14 mm wrench for the caliper bolts
A 15 mm wrench for the caliper bracket bolts
A 6 inch c clamp or a pad press tool ( Lisle ) makes a nice one!
Brake cleaner!
I highly recommend changing the pads and rotors at the same time , it's not much more expensive to buy new rotors!

Ensure you clean the rotors surface and the hub surface , torque the caliper bracket bolts and the lug nuts correctly!!

these guys are on it. I have nothing to add. Merry Christmas!

I will be changing the rotors as well as they seem to be warped. I'm going to visit family in Arkansas over the holiday weekend and I would like to change them while I'm there, but the forecast is for rain so I'll probably have to wait until next week to change them.


The Cavalier has an Allen bolt that faces the inside of the car which is a pain to get to with a regular Allen wrench. Are there any Allen bolts holding the calipers on? If so, what size? I'm going to invest in a socket if there are any Allen bolts that face the middle of the car.

No Allen headed bolts as Oldblue posted above.