How to Replace the Front Brake Rotors on a 2002 Buick Park Avenue

The 2002 Buick Park Avenue features front disc brakes which include calipers, brake pads and rotors (also known as discs because of their shape). Unlike rear brakes (no matter if rear disc or rear drum), the front brakes work three times harder in order to stop the vehicle efficiently. This is due to weight distribution--since the engine is in the front, most of the weight is located in the front. If the rotors are warped (causing a pulsation/vibration when braking), pitted with rust, grooved or scored, they will prematurely damage the friction material of the brake pads.

Instructions

Place a tire chock behind one of the rear tires after parking the Buick on a hard, level surface and applying the parking brake.

Loosen the front wheel nuts with a breaker bar and socket a quarter turn counterclockwise.

Raise the Park Avenue with a hydraulic jack and support it onto jack stands located under the corner frame rails. Do not place the jack stands under the lower control arms; this will prevent you from removing the rotors.

Remove the loosened wheel nuts and then the tires.

Place a medium pry bar into the front window of the caliper between the outboard pad and rotor, then pry against the piston of the caliper to compress it inward. Go as far as the pry bar will allow you to. This will make room for the new, thicker rotor.

Spray the drive axle threads with brake cleaner spray and wipe them clean with a shop rag. This will remove any dirt or debris that can damage the threads to the spindle when removing the spindle nut.

Insert a slotted screwdriver into the front caliper window and then into one of the rotor fins. Pivot the rotor so the screwdriver will secure it in order to turn the spindle nut counterclockwise without allowing the rotor to move (clockwise for the driver's side rotor and counterclockwise for the passenger side rotor).

Remove the spindle nut from the spindle in a counterclockwise motion using a breaker bar and spindle nut socket.

Remove the caliper bolts with a box wrench, then remove the caliper and pad assembly from the rotor. Use a caliper hanger to support the caliper to the front chassis in order to prevent it from hanging by the hydraulic brake hose.

Remove the rotor.

Spray the replacement rotor with brake cleaner spray in order to remove the rust prevention coating. The coating prevents rust from forming on the rotors during storage on the parts shelves. Clean both sides thoroughly and allow to dry fully, or wipe them dry with a shop rag.

Replace the rotor, caliper, caliper bolts and a new spindle nut. Tighten the spindle nut to 120 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and spindle nut socket. Perform the rotor replacement procedure for the other front wheel.

Replace the tires and wheel nuts. Tighten the wheel nuts snug to the hub and lower the Buick. Re-tighten the lug nuts in an alternate pattern to 100 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and suitable-sized socket.

Pump the foot brake pedal until it feels normal, release the parking brake, remove the tire chock and then test drive the Park Avenue for braking efficiency.