How to Fix the Brakes on 1998 Cadillac

The primary problem occuring with disc brakes is the brake pads wearing out.

Cadillac is the luxury division of General Motors Corporation. The high-tech advancements and high-performance equipment becomes standard on Cadillacs before other GM vehicles. This includes brakes, with 1998 Cadillacs using four wheel disc brakes to stop. As stopping occurs, the brake pads wear out and need to be replaced to keep the brakes functional. Replacing brake pads is a straightforward process that most do-it-yourself mechanics can complete in an afternoon.

Things You'll Need

• Tire iron
• Floor jack
• Jack stands
• Ratchet and socket set
• New brake pads

Instructions

Accessing the Brakes

1. Park the Cadillac on a hard and level surface.

2. Use the tire iron to loosen the lug nuts covering the tires on the end of the car where you need to replace the brake pads. The right and left sides of the car must be changed at the same time, but the front and back do not necessarily need to be changed at the same time.

3. Slide the floor jack under the end of the car where the brake pads are going to be replaced, and lift the Cadillac by the frame.

4. Place a jack stand under the frame adjacent to the wheel wells.

5. Remove the lug nuts and then the tires.

Fixing the Brake Pads

1. Use the ratchet and sockets to remove the bolts on the back of the brake assembly.

2. Pull the brake assembly off the brake rotor.

3. Tap the back of the brake pads with the handle of the ratchet to remove them from the brake assembly.

4. Insert the new brake pads into the tracks on the brake assembly, and press the pads firmly in place using your thumbs.

5. Set the brake assembly over the brake rotor, and screw in the bolts to hold it in place. The pads should be pressing against the brake rotor. Tighten the bolts as tight as possible using the ratchet and sockets.

Completing the Repair

1. Repeat this process for the other side of the Cadillac.

2. Set the tires on the axle hubs, and screw on the lug nuts evenly to seat the tire.

3. Lift the Cadillac off the jack stands using the floor jack, and remove the jack stands. Lower the Cadillac to the ground.

4. Use the tire iron to tighten the lug nuts on all of the tires.

References

• Edmunds.com: How To Change Your Brake Pads
• "1998 Cadillac Sedan de Ville Shop Manual," General Motors Powertrain; 1998