How to Change the Rotors on a Chevrolet Malibu

Typical automotive brake rotor.

A worn, scored or cracked brake disc (rotor) on your Chevrolet Malibu needs to be replaced. However, it is a job you can do at home with the use of a few common tools. But before you start, remove at least half the brake fluid from the brake master cylinder as described bellow. This will make room for the fluid as you push the brake caliper cylinder into its bore to speed up rotor replacement. Then you can follow the rest of the steps to change one or both rotors in your Chevy Malibu.

Things You'll Need

• Hand siphon pump
• Lug wrench
• Floor jack and jack stand
• C-clamp
• Wrench set
• Ratchet and socket set
• Piece of wire
• Brake fluid

Instructions

Removal

1. Park your car in a safe place on a level surface and open the hood. Locate the brake master cylinder mounted on the brake booster, a metal drum attached to the driver side of the firewall. Open the reservoir master cylinder lid and remove half of the brake fluid using a hand siphon pump.

2. Loosen the wheel lugs from the rotor you are replacing using a lug wrench. Then raise the front of the vehicle using a floor jack and safely support it on a jack stand. Block the rear tires and remove the tire off the wheel assembly.

3. Install back two of the wheel lugs to hold the rotor against the hub and bearing assembly.

4. Install a large C-clamp over the brake caliper and the back of the outboard brake pad. Tighten the C-clamp just enough to push the caliper piston back into its bore; then remove the C-clamp.

5. Remove the two brake caliper mounting bolts. Hold the caliper bracket sleeve with a wrench as you remove the mounting bolts using a wrench or ratchet and socket; then lift the brake caliper off the rotor and secure it to the car with a piece of wire to prevent damage to the brake hose.

6. Remove the two mounting bolts from the brake caliper bracket. Then remove the two wheel lugs and remove the brake rotor off the hub and bearing assembly.

Installation

1. Install the new rotor and secure it to the hub and bearing assembly with two wheel lugs.

2. Install the brake caliper bracket. Set the brake caliper in place over the caliper bracket and install the two mounting bolts.

3. Remove the two wheel lugs from the hub and bearing assembly and install the tire and wheel lugs.

4. Lower the vehicle and finish tightening the wheel lugs. If you are changing the other brake rotor, go back now to step 2 of the previous section and finish with step 3 of this section.

5. Depress the brake pedal several times to adjust the brake pads over the new rotor or rotors.

6. Add brake fluid to the brake master cylinder to bring the level up between the low and full marks.