How to Change the Brake Pads on a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am GT

The 2000 Grand Am GT has disc brakes on all four wheels. The procedure to replace any one brake is the same on all the different wheels, though when replacing brakes, both sides of the vehicle should be replaced at the same time. Replacing only one side will cause odd wear patterns on the tires and can cause handling problems when stopping the vehicle. For those mechanically inclined, the whole process should take less than three hours to complete.

Instructions

Park the car on a level, solid surface, like a cement garage floor.

Loosen the wheel's lug nuts using the tire iron.

Jack up the front or rear of the vehicle, depending on the set of brakes you want to change first. The front should be raised using the frame cross-member and the back using the rear frame.

Position a jack stand below the frame on both sides of the vehicle next to the wheel wells. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.

Remove the lug nuts and tires on the raised half of the vehicle.

Remove the bolts holding the brakes in place using the wrench and socket set.

Pry off the brake assembly from the rotor using the screwdriver.

Remove the brake pads from the assembly.

Clean off any corrosion on the assembly using the steel wool.

Smear a little bit of lubricant on the brake pad tracks, and use the paper towel to smear it around in the tracks to form a very thin film of lubricant. Excess lubricant must be removed promptly.

Slide the new brake pads into the tracks on the brake assembly, and then place the assembly over the rotor.

Insert and tighten the bolts holding the brakes in place.

Replace the tire and lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts hand-tight.

Repeat the process of changing of the brake pads for the other side of the car.

Lift the vehicle off the jack stands using the floor jack and lower the car to the ground after both tires have been replaced.

Tighten the lug nuts on both tires with the tire iron.