How to Replace Brake Pads on a 1993 Saturn

The 1993 Saturn models all featured front disc brakes with pads. Most featured rear drum brakes, but there were also some manufactured that used rear disc brakes and pads. While the procedure to replace the front brake pads is generally universal between all the 1993 Saturn models, there is one significant difference when replacing the rear pads. The piston of the caliper has to be screwed into the caliper bore instead of compressed into it in order to make room for the thicker replacement pads.

Instructions

Park the car on a flat surface suitable for lifting the car onto jack stands. Remove the hub caps with the lug wrench by unscrewing the lug caps on the Saturn. Apply the parking brake only if you're replacing the front brake pads. A brick or piece of two-by-four can be used to wedge in front of one of the front wheels if replacing rear brake pads.

Crack the lug nuts loose using the lug wrench and turning the lug nuts counterclockwise just enough to back them off the wheel rim.

Raise the Saturn with the jack and support it onto jack stands under the frame rail. Use the pinch/rocker panel if replacing the rear pads. Repeat for both sides so the axle is completely elevated off of the ground.

Remove the lug nuts and then remove the wheels.

Use a box-end wrench to remove the upper and lower caliper pins.

Pry the caliper off of the pad and caliper anchor bracket using a small pry bar.

Use a length of heavy-duty wire to tie around the caliper and then support it to the coil spring of the strut.

Use a 4-inch C-clamp to compress the front caliper piston inward by placing the top of the clamp on the rear caliper housing and the drive of the clamp inside the hollow caliper piston. Tighten the clamp slowly. For rear calipers, use the caliper retracting tool to turn the piston inward and align the notches of the piston at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock with the caliper standing upright.

Remove the upper and lower brake pad retaining clips on the caliper anchor. Use the pry bar to pry them off if necessary and then discard the old clips.

Install the new upper and lower retaining clips onto the caliper anchor and then apply a light coat of silicone-based brake lubricant to the brake pad seats on the clips.

Spray an even amount of anti-squeal brake spray onto the backing plates of the brake pads and then allow three-to-five minutes for the spray to cure. Insert the brake pads into the seats of the caliper anchor plate.

Remove the caliper from the heavy-duty wire and then place it over the pads and anchor assembly. Apply an even coat of silicone-based brake lubricant to the unthreaded portion of the caliper pins and then align them into the caliper. Tighten the pins to 37-foot pounds with a socket and the torque wrench.

Repeat steps 5 through 12 for the other side of the axle. Always replace brake pads in complete sets, both inboard and outboard pads for each left and right side of the same axle.

Replace the wheels and lug nuts. Use the lug wrench to tighten the nuts so they are flush to the hub and then raise the Saturn with a jack high enough to remove the jack stands--one side at a time. Lower the car to the ground.

Tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern with the torque wrench and a socket to 100-foot pounds. Replace the hub caps.

Pump the foot brake pedal several times to extend the compressed caliper pistons and seat the pads to the rotors, and then disengage the parking brake or remove the brick or wood before test-driving the vehicle.