How to Install Brake Pads on a 2007 Sonata

The 2007 Hyundai Sonata was available in a four-door model, in the SE, GLS, and Limited trim packages. The SE and the Limited models touted an XM satellite radio, and a 3.3-liter 234-horsepower V-6 engine. The GLS was equipped with a smaller 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder that produced 162 horsepower. The replacement of brake pads is the same for all three trim levels of the 2007 Sonata.

Instructions

Loosen the front wheel lug nuts with a tire iron. Raise the front of the car with a jack, and place jack stands beneath the front frame rails. Do not place jacks beneath the lower control arms. Lower the Sonata onto the jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and then remove the front wheels. Replace pads on one side of the car at a time, so you'll always have a complete assembly as a visual reference.

Insert an open-end wrench onto the caliper slide pin head, on the inboard side of the caliper mounting bracket. Install a ratchet and socket onto the caliper bolt. Remove the bolt, while holding the open-end wrench, so that the caliper slide pin does not spin. Repeat this process to remove the second caliper bolt.

Remove the caliper from the front brake assembly. Use a pry bar to assist you if needed. Hang the caliper from the front strut coil spring with a metal coat hanger or a bungee cord. Do not let the caliper hang from the rubber brake hose. Remove the brake pads from the caliper mounting bracket, and place one pad against the caliper piston inside the caliper. Install a C-clamp around the brake pad and the rear of the caliper, and tighten the clamp to completely compress the caliper piston.

Remove the C-clamp and the brake pad, and discard both brake pads. Measure the thickness of the front brake rotor across the top of the rotor, using a tape measure. If the rotor measurement is less than 1-3/8-inches (1.040-inches) for the 3.3-liter engine models, or less than 15/16-inches (0.096-inches) for the 2.4-liter engine models, or if the rotors are scored or pitted, you must replace the rotors.

Remove the brake pad retainer shims form the caliper bracket by hand, and check them for integrity. If they are rusted through, or simply too loose to hang on the caliper bracket, then replace the shims. Install the retainer shims, and add a light film of grease to the outer lips of the shims. This will allow the outer tips of the brake pads to slide back and forth more easily.

Install the new brake pads onto the caliper bracket. Install the pad with the "L" shaped metal protrusion on the inboard side of the rotor. Add a thin coat of grease to the metal backs of both pads. Spray the entire outboard and inboard faces of the rotor with aerosol brake cleaner, to remove any oily fingerprints you may have put on the rotors during installation or measurement.

Install the brake caliper loosely over the new brake pads. Pull the caliper slide pins out of the back of the caliper by hand. Dip them directly into your tub of caliper grease. Install the pins back into the caliper. Install the caliper bolts, and tighten them between 16 and 24 foot-pounds of torque, with a 1/2-inch-drive torque wrench and socket.

Repeat Steps 2 through 8 to complete the pad replacement and rotor measurement on the second side of the Sonata. Install the front wheels on the car, and snug the lug nuts with a tire iron.

Raise the car off of the jack stands. Remove the stands from beneath the car, then lower the Sonata to the ground. Tighten the wheel lug nuts to 80 foot-pounds of torque.

Sit in the drivers seat of the Sonata. Pump the brake pedal slowly, about 10 times. This will allow the new brake pads to seat to the brake rotors. If the pedal goes to the floor or will not stiffen up, stop pumping the brakes. Step out of the vehicle and make sure there is no brake fluid leaking from one of the lines. If no leak is present and the pedal remains soft, bleed the front brakes.