How to change front brake rotors on most cars! Pontiac Grand Am example

[Faz2113]

Thanks chap... a job I need to do this weekend. Never done it on a car before (only motorcycles) so didn't really expect it to be difficult... I now know what to expect.

Cheers!

[Johnnysshop]

@Faz2113 Thanks for watching!

[TOMMYRILEY1]

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP , 

[Johnnysshop]

@TOMMYRILEY1 Thanks for watching!

[singmacabresongs]

Thanks for the demo!

[Johnnysshop]

@singmacabresongs Thanks for watching!

[06bipbip]

great vid, only "gripe" is for a novice like me, would have liked a better explanation of the tools used.. I know you say what tools you use, but Im watching this in Europe, so I have to figure out the tools first ;-) great vid though, thanks for posting it. going to change discs and pads on my "new" car now :-)

[Johnnysshop]

@06bipbip THanks! Yeah, I shouldn't assume anything. I'm sure there will be some more brake vids in the future so I'll be sure to mention next time.

[digitalbroadcaster]

Good training video here. Howeverrrrr.....you forgot to mention when G-clamping to open up the caliper(s) with the brake fluid reservoir lid off and also watch out for the brake fluid overflowing from the reservoir pot.

Not a gripe, but prevents the novice from moaning about the mess under the engine, or being unable to reset the caliper(s).

[Johnnysshop]

@digitalbroadcaster Yeah, I should have mentioned that..

[Ub3r123]

Thanks for the video man! I actually have a '95 Grand Am SE myself so this was incredibly helpful.

[Johnnysshop]

@Ub3r123 Glad I could possibly help!

[remusjacobs]

i suck at this. can you just come by later today and fix my rotor? thanks

[Johnnysshop]

@remusjacobs LOL

[MrRudiger]

Is it not necessary to pump the brakes after brake installation on GM cars, or on this particular car?

[Johnnysshop]

@MrRudiger I've never really done it. Once you hit the pedal once after the car is started it's fine. No bleeding is required unless you replace a caliper.

[mccord100]

How would i find the torque information for the bolts that attach the caliper to the car? (I am not a car guy)

[Johnnysshop]

@mccord100 Haynes or Chilton manual is where I typically get them.

[andrewreyes005]

Are all gm cars hex bolts on the brake calipers

[Johnnysshop]

@andrewreyes005 I think most of them are. Well in the last 20 years or so at least.

[waynegarbo]

you know the the Volvo 740 (mine's an 89')repair book says there's wheel bearings inside the front rotor(s)and the inner one requires a bearing puller if it's stuck. What can I use instead(i'm not sure what that tool is)

[Johnnysshop]

@waynegarbo Hmm. Interesting. You can usually rent the pullers from automotive stores or buy a cheapo model at Harbor Freight for a one time use. It has claws on it, hard to explain.

[bhopperlinc]

If your bearings are going bad your wheel will heat up which could cause the melting your talking about. If the bearings are bad your entire wheel can lock up.the greased bearings are what allows your wheel to turn.

[Johnnysshop]

@bhopperlinc This car has new bearings. My kid rides her brakes like you wouldn't believe. 

[bhopperlinc]

To PhillyBest12 :The part your talking about is the housing for your wheel bearings(hub).The grinding noise could be from putting pads on wrong or on the wrong side of car.If your pads are still in place and your rotor is still smooth,the grinding is probably from the wheel bearings.Wheel bearings should be re-greased with bearing grease periodically. the grease can wear out or become contaminated with dirt/metal shavings which will destroy your bearings.watch a video re greasing bearings.

[waynegarbo]

wish there was a better camera visual getting the Hex bolts out

[Johnnysshop]

@waynegarbo Yeah, it's kinda a pain sometimes to get certain angles.

[PhillysBest12]

What is the part that everything slides onto. The original part with the 4-5 bolts that the rotor, then tire, then lug nuts are screwed on too? I recently changed my brake pads and they are fine, but 2 weeks later a loud rumbling started to happen when I drove. When I took the hubcap off, 2 of the lug nuts were molded into it 2 were still screwed on but had torn the inside of my rim and 1 had completely broken off. Any ideas as to what I did wrong here?

[Johnnysshop]

@PhillysBest12 The hub? It almost sounds like you tightened them way too tight. Which is pretty hard to do. How tight did make em?

[Hellraiser0639]

@ampecsu Leave your old brake pad on the caliper after you've removed it from the mounting bracket. Take the C-Clamp and use it to push the pads backwards, moving your piston (the part of the caliper that the pad is mounted on) back into position so you can put your new pads on, and move them back into place around the rotor without catching the rotor. Hope this helps.

[ampecsu]

@Hellraiser0639 it does thanks

[ampecsu]

i need more explanation on 3:55 to 4:05

[Johnnysshop]

@ampecsu What Hellraiser said..

[00solrac00]

great video. ty

[Johnnysshop]

@00solrac00 Thanks for watching!

[jjlwis]

how come some car's have big Phillips head screws attached to the rotor...?

[Johnnysshop]

@jjlwis Usually (like on BMW) there is an access hole behind it so you can adjust your pads/parking brake.

[t5sblanco]

@jjlwis They use the screws on many makes now. The only purpose they serve is to hold the rotor on when the wheel is not there. I believe they do it only for the factory on most cars to prevent the rotors from falling and hitting people in the feet, legs, etc. Usually, after driving through winters, it's about impossible to remove the screws with a screwdriver. I have been drilling off the heads for years. When I replace the rotors - I don't bother with the screws. Never been a problem.

[jjlwis]

@t5sblanco Ah ha, ok that makes sense.  good to know!

[cz619]

What about a 94' mustang ?

[cz619]

Thanks for the video. I am a bit curious if this will work on my 94 mustang? What about the rear ? Let me know and thanks

[Johnnysshop]

@cz619 Should be similar. The rear depends. If you have discs if will be, if drum brakes it would be different.

[tinderinc]

Does this work for 95 vw golf?

[Johnnysshop]

@tinderinc Yes, it will be similar.

[steevo281]

Thank you very much!! 

[Johnnysshop]

@steevo281 Thanks for watching!

[salvichannel]

Thank you

[Johnnysshop]

@salvichannel Thanks for watching!

[JayZoop]

From experience, I've noticed GM makes rotors that wear irregular and the brakes start to pullsate. I think it's planned obsolescense.

[Johnnysshop]

@JayZoop Probably so!

[badgirl44654]

I'm gonna try to change rotors and brake pads this week, thanks for the video!

[Johnnysshop]

@badgirl44654 Thanks for watching and good luck!

[Rootie222]

Thanks for easy to understand video, completed first brake job today..Sure,it took 3 hours but learned a lot thru experience, Thanks again..

[Johnnysshop]

@Rootie222 Thanks for the feedback! Next time it will take you half of that.

[toluca001]

THANX FOR THE VID.... THIS IS GONNA BE MY FIRST TIME CHANGING MY Zs ROTORS

[Johnnysshop]

@toluca001 Thanks for wathcing and good luck!

[joewilkens7]

do I need to worry about bleeding the brake line or anything. I dont know anything about that so I want to make sure i dont need to do it before i start.

[Johnnysshop]

@joewilkens7 No, only if you are replacing a caliper or a brake line. Or if they feel spongey..

[mommasboyward]

Thank you!! this was the simplest instruction yet from start to finish that I've watched.

[Johnnysshop]

@mommasboyward Thanks!

[newspot221]

Yeah and NTB charges you $800 for this... -.- that's that bullshit.

[Johnnysshop]

@newspot221 Wow, that's a lot of bank!

[kipkeith1]

Very well done. Saved me a couple hundred dollars - thanks!

[Johnnysshop]

@kipkeith1 Glad I could help!

[putillin]

Good Video Thanks A lot It really Helpfull

[Johnnysshop]

@putillin Thanks!

[970rsmc]

Great video, thank you.

[Johnnysshop]

@970rsmc Thanks!

[everfresh59]

*What's

[voodootony]

@everfresh59

My roommate had his done professionally, and he said it cost him about 150 plus parts. I used this video and did it on my own for a fraction of the cost and time.

[everfresh59]

That's the average labour cost to have this done? It looks like a one hour job if done by a professional.

[Johnnysshop]

@everfresh59 Voodootony is correct.

[boboski1000]

Thanks big man!!

[Johnnysshop]

@boboski1000 Thanks for watching!

[tedrickenator]

Thanks! I'm going to go and do this on my 2001 Olds Intriege

[Johnnysshop]

@tedrickenator Cool, let me know how it turns out.

[tedrickenator]

@Johnnysshop

front brakes turned out fine - now I think I need to do the rear rotors because I'm still getting a lot of pulsing --

4 bolts per side - 2 holding the pads in 2 for the calipers

bolts for the pads (caliper guide pins) came easy, but the bolts for the calipers were tough - thankfully the rotors came off easy -

on drivers side, rotating wheels to left improved access - interestingly on my drivers side the bolts for the pads (caliper guide pins) were bent -

[Johnnysshop]

@tedrickenator Wow bent pins.. That will cause some binding for sure. Good thing rotors are pretty cheap these days.

[BigDan855]

Ok now I think i can do it looks so easy!! I put new front pads on my wife's 95 chevy caprice, but when applying the brakes at 30mph or faster the right wheel has a clicking vibration feeling.

[NitroExplosion88]

@BigDan855 you might need to rebalance your right tire, just to be safe balance all your tires every 2 months, well i do just to be safe, and also remove your right tire and make sure everything is right, reseat your pads and calipers!!!!

[Johnnysshop]

@BigDan855 Hmm.. Not sure exactly what it would be without seeing it. Take it off and make sure everything is seating correctly.

[scotter031]

i jus did this on my 96 nissan and a bolt snapped taking off my bracket on the caliper. would i need to replace the whole caliper or just the bracket?

[Johnnysshop]

@scotter031 Should be able to get the bracket

[XXXXTRIPLEXXXX]

Great! Very helpful. Thank you

[souschefbubba]

Sound quality was terrible, I noticed you left out the part about bleeding the brakes. Other than that it was a very infinitive how-to video.

[Johnnysshop]

@souschefbubba You don't need to bleed the brakes to change a rotor so I didn't leave anything out. You need to bleed them if you change a caliper.

[MrQuatzi]

Would I need special tools for a 06 Mercedes 350E? Can I purchase a rotor at a local store or does it have to be a MB store?

[Johnnysshop]

@MrQuatzi May need some different bits, haven't done anything with a Benz. You can get them from any auto parts store, some may be special order. I checked and AutoZone carries them for the E350.

[angel123456789987]

it is prety good

[Johnnysshop]

@angel123456789987 Thanks.

[xxdjcharlierockxx]

hi johnny,i'm hoping you or somebody responds to this but i just did my first brake job but i cant get the rotor off. i even went back to auto store and got a tool(on loan)to get it off and it wont seem to budge. since i didnt wanna do any damage i finished the pads went home to check yt to see if i did something wrong. i got a 91 eagle talon non turbo thanks

[Johnnysshop]

@xxdjcharlierockxx They are probably rusted on the hubs. Get some PB Blaster and soak them with it for a day, then try to wack the suckers off later.

[xxdjcharlierockxx]

@Johnnysshop thanks johnny, gonna try it soon as the weather comes down here in ct. got hit with a snow/ice storm and im using my friends garage. i didnt even wanna drive outside at all. i put the pads back on and it seems to be driving pretty good. i might not even need to change the rotor,but i bought the it already so i wanna get it on soon as the weather allows me to. thanks for the advice.

[Jamfanwp]

Haha, I wish the rotors on the navigator I changed today came off like that. They were so rusted on it took 2 hours, and a 5lb sledge hammer + PE to get loose, nearly yanked the thing off the jack stand

[Johnnysshop]

@Jamfanwp Oh trust me, not all of the ones I've done have came off these easily..

[MrRoedog1992]

so just use the c clamp to comprese the piston in it and then remove c clamp. can you elaberate on that part for me please

[Johnnysshop]

@MrRoedog1992 Take an old pad, flip it around and use the c clamp to compress the piston back into the caliper so the new pads will fit. If you don't, the new pads won't fit because they are thicker.

[purplebugswhat]

@Johnnysshop...Will this be the same essentially for 2002 saturn L100. The brakes part.

[Johnnysshop]

@purplebugswhat Pretty much. They are all similar.

[ncdrill]

Thanks, you save me some time and money on labor price. God bless you.

[Johnnysshop]

@ncdrill Glad I could help!

[Theriomalstrom]

You could put some high-temp grease on the hub/disc mating surface to make it easier to take off the discs next time.

[Johnnysshop]

@Theriomalstrom Yeah, these were the originals so they were caked on.

[arnellwest]

Nice Video, and this will help. One Question, I seen somewhere on other videos that I should bleed the breaks. Is this true. If not, when shoudl I bleed the breaks?

[Johnnysshop]

@arnellwest No need to bleed unless you are replacing a wheel cylinder (drum style) or a caliper (discs). Or if you bust a brake line or something like that.

[AbernathyJackass]

I have an older truck that is an 8 lug and I want to change it to 5 or 6 lug for a disc brake conversion kit. Is there anyway I can machine 2-3 lug studs off so i can slip a 5 or 6 hole rotor onto it?

[Johnnysshop]

@AbernathyJackass Without a lot of drilling and filling I would doubt it. The holes won't match up.

[staceytyronegray]

Thank you very much! I will try to do them tomorrow! Peace...

[Johnnysshop]

@staceytyronegray Thanks for watching. Let me know how it works out!

[momonator123]

When I changed my brake pads, my rotors were etched with grooves. The brakes weren't pulsating or anything, but I'm guessing the grooves were bad?

[Johnnysshop]

@momonator123 Deep grooves are bad as they can cause the pads to wear out much faster and even chip them.

[ediek915]

Great video, very helpful, thank you!

[Johnnysshop]

@ediek915 Thanks!

[lordbemylight]

That rotor looks shot! You replaced it at the right time. Some people replace their pads and rotors too soon and I can understand why: they want to upgrade to the slotted performance kind.

[Johnnysshop]

@lordbemylight Yeah, they were toast! This was a car I purchased for my stepkid and it came that way. I wouldn't have let em go that far. I agree!

[jun19020987]

How many nuts are there that holds the caliper? What if they're all rusted?

[Johnnysshop]

@jun19020987 2.. Oh they will be rusty. You can use some PB Blaster to help loosen.

[soul4tran]

Excellent tutorial, Johnny! I'm going to try to change the pads and rotors for my 1998 Audi A4 Quattro for the first time. The guy at Autozone mentioned I'll have to use the clamp to compress the caliper, but you seem to not say much about that. Seems to be no need to compress anything from this video. Or is it because it's an Audi and they just like to make things difficult?

[Johnnysshop]

@soul4tran Thanks! Yeah, you'll need to compress them. I show it in some of my other brake vids on here. 

[Sweeendog24OKC]

Good video. I will try this with my expedition soon.

[Johnnysshop]

@Sweeendog24OKC Thanks!

[MCBakano]

Thanks! this videos are really usefull!

[Johnnysshop]

@MCBakano Thanks!

[MCBakano]

Can I reuse the same rotors?

[Johnnysshop]

@MCBakano As long as they aren't warped or have deep grooves.

[astroclast]

Here's a question from a newbie:

My front right tire makes a horrible noise and I was told that the rotor is warped and that it and the tire needs changing. So far I tend to believe that story. However, I was told I need to change the rotor and tire on my other front wheel as well, and I'm having trouble believing that. Is there a reason for that, or are they trying to rip me off?

[Johnnysshop]

@astroclast You should change them in pairs. Your old rotor is going to be worn down more than the new, which can cause issues. It will work without doing so but you'll always chew through one pad faster than the other. I'd probably change the tire as well. Want to try and keep them matched from side to side.

[astroclast]

@Johnnysshop Great, thanks!

[gfd74]

Thanks, good video, very helpful.

[Johnnysshop]

@gfd74 Thanks for watching!

[angeladanyelle]

great video helped me not only change my rotars but break pads as well, thanks!!!

[Johnnysshop]

@angeladanyelle Sweet, glad I could help!

[qwency123]

Why do you hang the caliper? Cant you just put it on the floor. (I have never changed so I wonder.) Thanks.

[Johnnysshop]

@qwency123 Brake line isn't long enough and hanging it by the line could break it.

[MASTERHOLYDICK]

i would change the calipers if i were you.the look pretty bad and plus it makes the wheel look good when you put it back on

[killercan10]

@MASTERHOLYDICK

Unless there is a function issue with the caliper...there really is no reason to change them. Besides there is a steel wheel and a hubcap in the way on the car in the video...who is going to see them?

[Johnnysshop]

@killercan10 You took the words outta my mouth

[Johnnysshop]

@MASTERHOLYDICK No, they are fine just rusty. Can't even see the calipers with the wheels on.

[Merts478]

Does this apply to a '95 Jetta? I need to change my rotors and pads 'cause I only have 30% left on my pads and my rotors are old.

[Johnnysshop]

@Merts478 Sure, most cars are very similar. Some of the mounts may be a little different and whatnot but overall the same.

[Merts478]

@Johnnysshop Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it.

[DestructionMODE]

i understand everything, except the adjusting of the breaks which you said at 3:49. I have looked at a number of videos and dont quite understand why or how you do that.

[Johnnysshop]

@DestructionMODE You just have to squeeze the caliper pistons back in. I have it on some of my other brake vids.

[raikkonen85]

is it important to put copper grease on the hubs? and do you put it all over the back of the brake pads?

[Johnnysshop]

@raikkonen85 The only reason to but grease on the back of the rotor hub is so they don't stick to the actual hub itself. The rotors on this car are not really part of the hub, they just bolt to it via the rim. Just a small amount on the back of the pad to prevent noise is good.

[turner850]

TY for this, saved me $200 @ les shwab... Bought the rotors myself and put them on. So ty for the $200 :)

[Johnnysshop]

@turner850 Sweet, glad I could help!

[BoxerMuscleMilk]

Hey, Do you have to clean the rotors with Brake clean or does it really matter? it won't damage it if you do not clean it right?

[Johnnysshop]

@BoxerMuscleMilk It won't damage them but I would clean them fore sure with brake cleaner. New rotors usually have a lot of oil on them.

[raikkonen85]

i wanna change mine., im just worried, how do you bleed the brake lines. on most videos they dont even mention that?

[Johnnysshop]

@raikkonen85 You really don't need to bleed them unless you've gotten air in the lines by changing calipers or something.

[TheLok12]

did you put the lubricant on the calliperbolts when you did the pads? i heard your suppose to do that idk

[Johnnysshop]

@TheLok12 Yeah, you have to.

[719FoxRider719]

Ive never really worked on cars before, but I bought a '94 trooper to build up as an off road rig, but it definitely needs a good brake job, and i was told that it would probably need new calipers...how easy do the brake calipers come off and what is the connectiion--like the cable that connects to the caliper like? is this just as easy to change? thanks

[Johnnysshop]

@719FoxRider719 The only difficult part of changing calipers is bleeding the brakes. You'll need to bleed them to get all of the air out of the lines.

[we5leyz]

Thank you

[Johnnysshop]

@we5leyz Thanks for watching!

[racearizona888]

THANKS MAN!!! Savin me some money, looks very easy!!

[Johnnysshop]

@racearizona888 Glad I could help. It is much easier than most people think..

[racearizona888]

@Johnnysshop Yeah, I thought it was going to be a lot more than just brake caliper. Makes since thought once you showed it. Did great man. Keep it up!!

[phatboid32]

Thank, this video really helped to save me good money and gave me another way to help friends and family to do the same. I can't believe that I went and bought the parts and did it myself in about 30 minutes. Thanks!

[Johnnysshop]

@phatboid32 Sweet, glad to hear I could help!

[Ihitaparkedcar]

Thanks...I think I can try to do my front rotors and brake pads my self now.

[Johnnysshop]

@Ihitaparkedcar I bet you can. Make a vid! Making videos or taking pictures are always a good idea. You can refer back to them in case you get stuck or miss a part.

[LaLa0914]

i NEED NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS I am going to try to attempt this myself this weekend!!

[Johnnysshop]

@LaLa0914 Sweet, let us know how it goes!

[layinlow94]

A+++

[BUSAHUNTERo]

Thanks there Jonny.....U like rock dude....

[Johnnysshop]

@BUSAHUNTERo Thanks!

[guaigean]

Thank you SO much!

This was one of the best auto tutorial videos I've seen on Youtube. Detailed, simple to understand, and without all the random waiting times. Covered everything I needed to change my own rotors. Thanks!

[Johnnysshop]

@guaigean Glad to hear such positive feedback. Thanks for watching!