How to Replace Front Disc Brakes in a Kia Spectra

No matter what you're transporting in your Kia Spectra you need to be able to stop it. If your brake light is coming on, then you need to perform maintenance on your car. If you have some mechanical ability, you can replace the front disc brakes yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Torque wrench
• Flathead screwdriver
• Syringe, turkey baster or similar tool
• Mechanics wire
• Brake pads
• Brake fluid
• Anti-squeak product

Instructions

1. Park the Kia Spectra on a flat and level surface. Apply the parking brake. Secure the vehicle by wedging something behind the wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling.

2. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery. Loosen the lug nuts. Jack the Spectra up and support the front of the vehicle securely on jackstands

3. Use a syringe, turkey baster or similar tool to siphon out the brake fluid from the master cylinder reservoir until it's approximately one third full. You can't reuse the old fluid, so you'll need to dispose of it.

4. Remove the wheel and the caliper guide pin bolts. Lift the caliper away from the rotor. Suspend the caliper from the frame using mechanics wire. Remove the brake pads and retainer spring from the caliper. Compress the caliper piston into the bore.

5. Reinstall the brake pads. Place an anti-squeak product on the outside of the brake pads, making sure not to get any of this on the inside of the brake pads. Reinstall the retainer spring to the caliper. Reinstall the caliper in position on the caliper support bracket. Reinstall the guide pin bolts. Reinstall the wheels.

6. Reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery. Add brake fluid. Start the engine and pump the brakes 3 to 4 times. Test drive the Spectra at slow to moderate speeds to ensure that the maintenance was performed correctly.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't clean brake parts with compressed air or by dry brushing.

• Don't sand or grind brake lining unless equipment used is designed to contain the dust residue.