How to Replace the Brake Pads on a 2006 Corvette

Corvettes have high performance brake systems.

The Chevrolet Corvette is widely considered as the only American sports car for the 2006 model year. As such, the Corvette has high performance four-wheel disc brakes. Each brake caliper has dual pistons for faster, more powerful brake response. Additionally, the Corvette has larger brake pads than any other car in the Chevrolet fleet. General Motors recommends inspecting the brakes at every other oil change interval and replacing the pads when they fall below 3-mm minimum thickness. Anyone with a 2006 Corvette and basic auto-repair experience can perform this job.

Things You'll Need

• Lug wrench
• 2 wheel chocks
• Low profile floor jack
• 2 jack stands
• Drop pan
• Brake cleaner
• Socket set
• Caliper tool
• Torque wrench

Instructions

1. Turn all the Corvette's front lug nuts counterclockwise to loosen them. Shove the wheel chocks against the front and rear of one of the back tires.

2. Lift the Corvette's front end with the low profile floor jack. Support the front on jack stands. Take the front lug nuts and wheels off by hand to expose the brakes.

3. Set the drop pan under the right-front brake rotor. Rinse away the brake dust from the rotor and caliper with brake cleaner. Unbolt the Corvette's right-front brake caliper with the socket set.

4. Pull the caliper out of the mount by hand. Remove and discard the old brake pads manually.

5. Wash the dual caliper pistons and slide pins with brake cleaner. Lubricate the slides with white lithium grease.

6. Retract the dual pistons with the caliper tool. Place the new brake pads in the caliper by hand, and lower the caliper into the mount. Bolt it in place with the socket set.

7. Move to the Corvette's left-front and repeat Steps 3 through 6. Put the front wheels and lug nuts back on manually. Lower the front end off the jack stands.

8. Perform Steps 1 through 7 on the rear of the Corvette to replace the back brake pads, if necessary. Use a torque wrench to tighten all the lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs.

References

• 2 Car Pros: How to replace brakes