If your Catera is becoming more difficult to stop, the brake pads are likely worn out and should be replaced. Most Cateras have an indicator light to tell you when to replace the brakes, which often occurs within 2 years. You don't need to completely remove a brake caliper on the Catera to change the pads; however, this is a good time to inspect the calipers, as a damaged one must be replaced, too.
Instructions
- 1
Unplug the negative battery cable, raise the vehicle's rear side on jack stands and remove the wheels. Attach a hose to the brake caliper's bleeder screw and open the screw.
2Siphon the brake fluid out of the master cylinder and discard it properly.
3Compress the caliper's pistons with a clamp into the caliper housing to give you clearance. Push the caliper's retaining pins from the caliper from the inside out. Remove the spring retainer from the caliper and remove the brake pads.
4Remove the brake caliper by removing its mounting bolts. Inspect the caliper's condition and replace, if needed. Reinstall the caliper, torquing the bolts to 59 foot-pounds and the caliper's pipe fitting to 12 foot-pounds.
5Install the new brake pads onto the caliper. Attach one retaining pin to the caliper, then the spring retainer, then the other retaining pin.
6Fill the master cylinder with fresh brake fluid and bleed the brake system of air. Place the hose connected to the bleeder valve in a bottle, and have an assistant apply the brake pedal with the valve open. Close the valve when fluid stops trickling out, and have the assistant step off the pedal, then reopen the valve and repeat. Continue until all air is purged and clear fluid flows from the hose.
7Reconnect the wheels to the vehicle, lower it off the jack and connect the battery cable. Test-drive the new brakes.
