Siphon 2/3 of the brake fluid out of the master cylinder reservoir.
Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
Compress the caliper piston back into the caliper bore using a large pair of pliers, C-clamp or special caliper piston retracting tool.
Remove the caliper mounting bolts and sleeves.
Remove the caliper from the steering knuckle without disconnecting the brake hose. Do not allow the caliper to hang from the brake hose. Support the caliper with a piece of wire.
Remove the outboard pad by pushing in on the outside edge of the pad to release the mounting dowel from the hole in the caliper. When both dowels are unseated, push the pad out the bottom of the caliper.
Remove the inboard pad from the caliper by pulling it out of the caliper.
To install:
Inspect the caliper for any signs of leakage. If the caliper is leaking, new brake pads will be damaged. Also inspect the condition of the caliper support for rust and corrosion which will hinder the travel on the caliper.
Inspect the caliper mounting hardware. New bolts are usually recommended. Clean all parts well. Lubricate the mounting bushings and sleeves with silicone grease as required.
Install the inboard pad in the caliper so the spring clip on the pad back engages in the caliper piston.
Install the outboard pad over the caliper end until the mounting dowels snap into the mounting holes in the caliper.
Install the caliper over the rotor onto the steering knuckle.
Install the mounting bolts and sleeves and torque to 38 ft. lbs. (51 Nm).
Install the tire and wheel assembly.
Pump the brake pedal several times to seat the pads against the rotor before attempting to move the vehicle.
Check the master cylinder level and add fluid as necessary.How to change brake pads on 2004 cavalier step by step?Jack up car, block rear wheels, remove front wheels, remove two caliper bolts, lubricate the caliper sliders with synthetic grease, remove pads, remove rotors and replace or resurface, put rotors back on, spray down back of pads with anti squeak,open bleeder and compress piston,close bleeder, install pads in caliper, bolt caliper back on, put wheel on, torque lug nuts to factory specs, let jack down, remove blocks, pump brake pedal, check fluid level afterwards, then test drive.How to change brake pads on 2004 cavalier step by step?First, have a can of P.B. laster handy. Get a couple of shop rags, some brake cleaner spray and your tools out(you'll need metric ones and a good breaker bar too). Jack the car up by the frame. Put the transmission into either Park(auto), or into first gear and pull the brake lever up. Take the wheel/s off. The tricky part is this: Getting the front brake caliper to go BACK into the cylinder. Use either a straight screw driver(before you take the rotor/disc off that is) OR a caliper C-clamp tool(after you've removed the rotor) . The front pads are held in place with a small clip. Pull them off. Replace with the new ones and re-install the rotor and wheel/s. You will need to apply some anti sieze compund to the caliper bolts(they're the ones that are the torx head type) for next time. Use a wire brush on them if they're rusted. The back wheels are different. They're drums. Pull the drums off. Take a flat screw-driver and carefully turn the little knob-like cylinder at the bottom of the drum and get the shoes to move as close together as possible. Using either a specialty tool from a parts store or a pair of good needle nose pliers, carefully pull the spring off the bottom of the shoes. Reverse the order(don't touch the knobby thing) for instalation. Bleed the whole brake system. If in doubt, get a Haynes manual. Your library SHOULD have them. It's a J-Body type car by the way.How to change brake pads on 2004 cavalier step by step?There are a number of sites with this information. Also if you buy a good replacement set there will be instructions included. and you can get a Chilton's manual at a library that will show you.
One online help is at:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_install_brake_pads_on_a_2002_Chevy_CavalierHow to change brake pads on 2004 cavalier step by step?you can do it.if you know someone that is a little experienced. that would be very helpful.its the doing it the first time thats tough.you will need some special tools.(allen wrench)some times.good luck.How to change brake pads on 2004 cavalier step by step?buy them and a large container of brake fluid. Instructions on how to change brakes are in the box of brake pads.
