Replacing front brake rotors

[Daox]

When I repainted my wheels a few weeks back I noticed that my brake rotors were really shot. I was also getting some noise from the rusty bits of the rotor rubbing on stuff which really annoys me. I checked the pads and they still had ~1/4" left on them so I left them alone. Anyway, its pretty straighforward, but here is how to replace the rotors. Now would also be a perfect time to inspect the pads and replace them if necessary too.





First, we jack up the car. Make sure to use jack stands!





This is how my rotors looked. As you can see, there isn't a lot of brake surface area left on them. They still stopped alright, but its not a pretty sight and if I needed to stop in an emergency it might have been a problem.

Now, remove the two screws that are in the rotor. It is handy to have a manual impact driver to do this. A bit of heat from a torch might also be enough.





Next, we'll remove the caliper. The bolts are on the back side of the rotor.





Once the caliper is free, use a wire to hang it so it doesn't hang by the rubber hose.





Now, the rotor is free to come off, or at least it should be. Mine was rusted on a bit. It took some penetrating oil and a small sledge hammer to the back side of it to pop it off.





To prevent this from happening with the new rotors, put some anti-sieze on the plate the rotor mounts to.





Now, grab your new rotors, and clean the oil off of them with brake cleaner (carb cleaner and other solvents work fine too). After cleaning them, try not to touch the surfaces that the brake pads touch. You don't want oil/grease/anti-sieze in your brake pads.





Next, put the cleaned rotors on the mounting plate and reinstall the two screws.





Now, put the calipers back on.

Lastly, put your wheel back on, drop the car, and torque down the lug nuts.

[jriggs87]

Wow You make it look easy enough! I cant wait to do mine! thank you soo much for the photos Im sure you just helped a lot more people out then just me!
JR

[daug1502]

So those are the screws I keep hearing about.

[petrified.rabbit]

you should add the steps for removing the pads, and splitting the carrier and caliper.

[Daox]

That is a good idea. It wouldn't hurt to show to to lube the slides too.

[Burgman]

This is great, thanks for paying it forward. I changed my front brake pads and rotors using this diy. Saved a pile of money doing it myself, cost was $140 for parts. I followed this How to change out front brake pads 04-08 F150 - F150online Forums to change the pads as I will be doing my F150 next. Essentially, this procedure is the same for the Aveo, just different socket sizes.

[deribryn]

brilliant saved a few bob

[WyrTwister]

I saw 2 holes in the rotor . Are they threaded ? If they are , I think I know what they are far .

If the rotor is rusted to the axle flange , apply penetrating oil in the holes and any other place it looks like it would help .

Take 2 bolts of the appropriate length , diameter & thread pitch . Screw them in snug . Tighten each one 1/4 - 1/2 turn at a time , alternating between . Continue to apply penetrating oil and tapping on the rotor with an appropriate hammer .

Make sure to tighten the two bolts evenly . They will slowly push the rotor away from the axle flange . The rotor may pop off , when it breaks away from the axle flange .

I would try a wire wheel on the rusty axle flange , before I applied the anti seize .

Remove the 2 bolts from the old rotor & use them on the other side , if necessary .

God bless
Wyr

[Lemon12]

I replaced mine a few weeks ago. It wasnt too bad. I stand corrected avguy. When you change the drums in the rear wheels you need the larger socket. Ty

[avguy]

I replaced mine a few weeks ago. It wasnt too bad, be sure you have a large enough socked to remove tge the center bolt if not rent one at auto store. A breaker bar is handy for this or use your tire iron to ratchet for leverage they are on tight!

This is a front brake thread, not rear drum brakes. Don't want to mislead others into thinking they need to remove that bolt in order to change front rotors/pads.