is this something that can be easily done or should i have a shop install them? just curious on the difficulty of a rotor swap

 

Its pretty easy. Do not install new rotors unless you put on new pads too. Using old pads on a new rotor can ruin it. First time doing your own brakes?

 

not very. if you can do break pads, you can do a rotor. as a rule, you remove the two retaining bolts that hold the caliper on... swing it of the rotor and then the rotor will pull right off... maybe with a smidge of PB oil and a rubber mallet.

nothing holds it on other than the brakes and the wheel.

 

yea first time, i was planning on doing both pads and rotors, i have never done either though

 

Its simple, just go look for a Haynes manual, look through it and then set it down
It'll give you a basic overview and thats really what you need.

 

yea i didnt think it was going to be too difficult. will i need an alignment afterwards?

 

no, you won't. Remember to double check the lug nuts after a few miles, say 100. It never hurts to double check them after wheel removal.

 

remember to cut the retainer washers.

 

Didnt know they made a haynes manual for the cobalt yet?

 

I've never done brakes either so could you explain what you mean by cuting the retainer washers and secondly can someone explain how to properly bleed the brakes?

 

they dont, i think he was refering to just lookin at any new model cars guide just as a reference b/c it should be pretty much the same for most cars.

 

there are really thin flat washers that are pushed on to hold if flush up and down they need to be cliped of with wire cutters and then they pull off. Bleeding the brakes I did it once its not hard just be SUPER CAREFUL screwing them back in JUST TIGHT ENOUGH. I fubared them and tightened them too much and they went off the threads into the calipers and i needed to get the parts of the calipers replaced.

 

Some additional comments...

You should not have to "cut" the retainer nuts (called washers above). They might not even be installed. With the wheel off, look for a simple, flat washer-looking thing on the wheel lugs. They are just holding the rotor in place, and are easily removed. Don't sweat it. Here is what one looks like:



Also, there should be no need whatsoever to bleed your system. As long as you don't open it, it will be fine, leave it alone.

This job is actually very simple. Don't do anything more then you have to. Take the wheel off, take the caliper off, take the rotor off, clean everything up and replace with the new parts. That's it, done.

 

that sounds pretty easy

if you have aftermarket wheels chances are those clips are gone anyway because they cause vibrations with anything other than stock wheels.

 

Thanks for the help and I know you wont have to bleed the brakes if you are just changing the rotors but I plan on getting new pads when I get rotors so I figured I'd ask how it is done.

 

there is a little valve on the caliper. it's like a screw with a hole in it... there is a thing called a brake bleeder bottle, costs about $9 at NAPA. you hook the little hose it comes with to this valve while it's open, get in the car and pump the brakes like hell. add some fluid to the booster and do it again.

then repeat on other side.

ghetto method... add fluid to booster, have a buddy pump the brakes... once he feels pressure, open the valve till fluid comes out... add more to the booster and repeat a few times.

 

One big thing is that when you use a c-clamp to push the calipers back in (to make room for the new pads since they are thicker) only do one wheel at a time. If both calipers are loose and you go to push the one piston back in there is no resistance on the other one and it can pop out. The moral of the story: Do one wheel at a time and finish it completely by changing the pads and rotor, seal it up, and then move on. If you do it this way there is no need to bleed the brakes.

 

I remember when mike did your rotors

 

Hey idiot. you remove two bolts from each brake caliper then swap the rotors. ******* einstein

 

Very simple 2 bolts that hold it together & 1 lock washer on the face & it slides right off! but you need a C clamp to push in the caliper piston!

 

 

Yes they do

 

Holy Old Thread Batman!!!!

 

ok it was funy the first couple times but now its getting dumb...quit the post whoring and quit reviving old threads

 

dude, its easy