I got my powerslot rotors, hawk performance pads and russel stainless lines the other day and... I have no idea how to go about installing any of these. im having a hard time finding a maintenence manual for my 04 cav so i was wondering if someone could help me out. ive so far done all my mods myself, i dont see why this should be much different. i just need some decent instructions on how to get these three things done.
or do you think i should just pay someone to do it.
i half feel like this belongs in the newbies.
Everybody has to learn somehow... and the best way to learn is to do it yourself
Besides... brakes are hard to totally screw up... the most satisfying part is going and doing it yourself...
Brakes are the same 95-05... so borrow a Haynes manual from the library and have at 'er.
okay, thank you so much for that clarification. i'ma get right on it first thing tomorrow. my stuff is just sitting there taunting me.
make sure you buy some good brake fluid. like valvoline syn-power
see ya!
Check list for first timers:
1. Chilton Manual 28322. Says it's for 95 to 2000, but like Lenko said 95-05 are the same. Only difference, it would lack the 2.2 Eco engine information.
(A Haynes manual is just as good for regular maintenance, Haynes owns Chilton. The Chilton book has more detail and procedures)
Haynes Manual 38016, if your interested. I'm not sure what years it covers, but I'll bet it's 95-00.
2. Basic set of tools. For what you're doing, you'll need a 3/8 Allen wrench (or socket with socket wrench, or power tool version.....) and metric open end wrenches (box wrenches). You can get away with a crescent (adjustable) wrench, but I encourage people to do it the right way.
Here's a few ideas:
Craftsman Allen Wrench Set
Craftsman Open Wrench Set
3. And because you're breaking into the break lines: I agree with Novaracer that Valvoline SynthPower Brake Fluid is the best bang for the buck overall.
What to look for
If you get cheap/expensive do
NOT get DOT 5 or 5.x fluid. It's bad news in our cars!
Lenko, John Lenko wrote:Brakes are the same 95-05... so borrow a Haynes manual from the library and have at 'er.
You always forget about us 2nd genners Lenko
They're the same from 92-05.
My Haynes Manual covers 95-04 according to it, but im betting it'll work for an 05 as well. Really, the only thing thats different is the rear drums on the newer 03-05 cavaliers (iirc anyway) on a 2nd gen, the caliper faces the opposite way (atleast the one in my sunbird does).
Like Ender said, the 2nd gens caliper is on the back side instead of the front, but identical otherwise. 2nd gens rears are the same drums iirc. If you have an 03-05, your drums are slightly larger, the size is printed into the drum.
I actually ended up finding the haynes 2004 manual, and im already set for tools, so thank you once again for the help everyone. im going to buy new brake fluid right now and hopefully ill have these done before i go to work this afternoon.
oh lord, i cant for the life of me get the two nuts that hold the caliper off. and i made sure the turn in the right direction, as they are facing opposite of me.
any suggestions? i think i bruised my hand :\
Yup, hammer works. Or.. I use a 2 foot long copper pipe as a breaker bar... just slip it over the hex key...
Only thing I can tell you is.... lube those pins up REAL good when you put it back together... the caliper has to slide on them. And make sure the pins are in just as tight ...
Clarification on Lenko's statement: Lube the sliding portion of the pins. Do
not lube the threads on either the pin, or the knuckle. Any old automotive lube will do, I use white lithium.
You will need a C-clamp to get the caliper back in all the way and a breaker bar works better if they are stuck but it isnt suprising because of the heat. 38 Ft-lbs is what the calipers have to be set at and brake cleaner should be used on the rotors before u install them because they are usually shipped with a coating so they don't discolour and try to keep them clean when u install them. Don't forget to follow the instructions on bedding them. I just did that couple weeks ago and noticed the difference without even getting into them. Good Luck.
yeah i had to go buy a stupid c clamp that was large enough yesterday. i suppose i should pick up some cleaner as well.
The cleaner
never hurts. I can push the caliper piston down in with my bare hands (I'm a big strong guy though).
