Things You'll Need:
- Denatured alcohol
- Lug wrench
- Floor jack and jack stand
- Hand siphon pump
- C-clamp
- Wrench set
- Ratchet and socket
- 2- to 3-foot wire
- Brake parts cleaner
- Shop rag
- Brake fluid
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Step 1
Park the car in a safe place with a level surface; open the hood and remove about half of the brake fluid from the brake master cylinder using a hand siphon pump.
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Step 2
Loosen the front wheel lug nuts on the wheel that has the rotor you are replacing; then raise the wheel using a floor jack and safely support the car on a jack stand and remove the tire. If you are replacing both front rotors, you may raise both front wheels and support the car on 2 jack stands now.
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Step 3
Push the brake caliper piston back into its bore using a C-clamp. Mount the C-clamp over the front and rear brake pads on the caliper and tighten the clamp screw against the front brake pad to force the cylinder into its bore; then remove the brake caliper mounting bolts using a wrench or ratchet and socket.
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Step 4
Lift the caliper assembly off the brake rotor; secure the caliper to the car body using a piece of wire to avoid damage to the brake hose connected to the caliper. On some models, you may have to remove the brake pads mounting pins using a wrench or ratchet and socket and then remove the brake pads first before removing the caliper body. On some models, you will have to remove a caliper mounting bracket as well by removing the mounting bolts using a wrench or ratchet and socket.
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Step 5
Remove the brake rotor off the wheel assembly by hand and clean the wheel assembly of brake lining dust, dirt and grease using brake parts cleaner and a shop rag.
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Step 6
Install the new rotor in place keeping the rotor surface completely clean at all times; then install the brake caliper bracket and caliper assembly. Install the tire, then lower the vehicle and finish tightening the wheel lugs.
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Step 7
Replace the other rotor and rear rotors following steps 3 to 5 if necessary. After you finish, add brake fluid to the brake master cylinder to bring the fluid level between the Add and Full marks; then depress the brake pedal several times to adjust the brake pads over the new rotors.
