hey guys, i just wanted to know if someone can help me with some last minute tips.
help me out if you know the answers to these lame questions please.

1-how do i lubricate the sliders, worked at coop last summer but never seen them do much of this unless im blind.

2-how big of a C-clamp do i need to buy the sqeeze the piston. (4" ? or bigger?)

3-I have been reading the forums and people were talking about there being differences in bleeding the brakes for traction control cars. ( i have a 98 A4 with t/c)
Is there a regular bleeder screw behind the drums or disc, or is there a special one for t/c cars or something. What are they talking about?

4-I think i read in my haynes manual that they use a bleeder wrench to bleed the brakes. Isn't it just a small combination wrench? or do i have to buy that special wrench?

Any advice would be appreciated.



2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd

Bump.

Also, I wanna get a spring kit for the back drums. Will i be able to get them at canadian tire?



2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd

1- Are you talking about the caliper slides or the slide bolts? I've never even heard of lubricating the slide, but for the bolts, you can use some sort of axle grease, it will work fine.

2- 4" is big enough. You could probably get away with a 3" too. If you're really cheap, you can use a long bolt, a nut, and a piece of flat steel with a hole in it, but just buy the clamp, its easier

3- (I have never studied up on 3rd gen traction control systems, so this is based entirely on past experiences with other cars) There is a bleeder screw at all four corners, as well as 1-4 on the ABS/TC module. The basic system bleeds just like any other car, but the ABS/TC may/may not need to be bled individually. Hopefully someone else can answer this one.

4- use a flare nut wrench on bleeder screws, that way, you won't round off the bleeder. If its stuck, you may need to end up using vise grips and then replacing the bleeder, just don't break it off, or you'll end up buying a new caliper or wheel cylinder.

5- you should be able to get a hardware kit at any parts store.

Are you doing all new hardware (calipers, drums, etc) as well as pads/shoes? If you're just doing pads/shoes, you won't need to do any bleeding.

1. They are called caliper pins, yes you need to lube them. Yes just about any automotive grease will do. Them not doing it doesn't suprise me. It's the main reason all of us work on our own cars.

2. 4" is good. Basically what James said.

3. The TC/ABS module has 4 bleeders on it just like the calipers do. They don't need to be bleed unless all the fluid drains out of the lines as you are working on the new brakes.

4. It's a standard 8mm socket. Be gentle, don't ruin them, as James said.

Thanks for the advice james and cts, i really appreciate it.

So cts, how do i remove the caliper pins, or are the pins the caliper bolts like james said.

Im doing just pads, rotors, shoes, and drums. I wanna bleed the system anyways cus the pedal feels like @!#$ rite now so i might as well do it.

thanks for the advice again guys.



2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd

Caliper Pins are caliper bolts are slide bolts, and a few other names people make up. The correct term is a caliper pin, but nobody cares. They come out with a 3/8 Allen wrench.

Over time water gets into the brake system. If you still have original fluid then it's probably time for a good bleed.

Be sure to use DOT 3 or 4 fluid. Do not use 5.

If the bleeder valve is stuck, you can heat it up a bit with a torch. Be careful though, no part of the brakes (even the fluid) is flammable, but you don't want to damage other things. Hot parts come loose much easier than cold ones.

yeah, i rounded of my bleeder on the pas side drum. its at such a wierd angle tha vise grips wont even break it loose...is heating my only option

Can drill it through with a bit about half the size (say 4mm or something around there). Then use an easy-out (brand name) to get it out. Good luck with that though.

Heating it will almost always help get it out.

If it's really stuck, rusted, and busted off, you'll probably have to replace the caliper or drum cylinder.

thanks for clearing the slider question for me C.T.S, i really appreciate it. I always thought is was the bolts, but all the different names were confusing and i wasnt sure.

What if you can't heat of the valve to get it open, is it best to you pentrating oil or wd-40?

Your giving me some good advice cts, i really appreciate it.



2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd

what would be better to lube the sliders with, white grease or anti-seize?



2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd

I've got a torch and several tank of MAPP gas (hotter than propane). So I really can't say for sure which is better, penetrating oil or wd-40. Maybe someone else can field this.

White grease is what I use for general suspension lubing, caliper pins, grease zerks, and rubber parts. If your using it on new ceramic brakes, you need to use "brake grease" on them.

I've always used an acetylene torch to heat up bleed screws if I couldn't get it first with PB Blaster (penetrating lube). If its to the point where the bleeder is stripped, and you can't get it out with vise grips (and you don't have a torch of any kind), its alot easier to just replace the wheel cylinder or caliper. Reman capliers are under $20 each, and cylinders go for about $10.

THanks for the tips guys. OH, and last question. Does anyone know the size of the rear drums and shoes on a 98 Z-24 Auto? Theres two sizes, i think they are the bigger ones but i dont know.

I went to Canadian Tire to check some of the prices for my brother.

They have a special on Monroe brakes-
rotors-40each=80
pads-45 for the set
drum springs 12

I figured id go with the standard brand on the rear
i forgot the prices but it came out to about 275 Cdn With Tax all together.

You guys think thats good or should i shop around.



2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd

The only difference in sizes for the rear brakes is the diameter of the wheel cylinder. The US sold cars have a smaller one, while all the exports are larger. I've never heard of larger diameter drums, but it may have been an option on some years......

i dunno. The guy at Canadian tire said there two sizes from drums and two sizes for brake shoe linings. Anyone know how i can find out the size of mine without ripping it apart. Do you think i can see it threw the rim with the rim on?




2003 Cavalier 2dr. 5spd

There are two sizes of drums.. Search around, I forget what the size are. Parts from one are not interchangable with the other (in general). One whole setup can be directly swapped for the other though.