Though you may have perfectly good brake pads and calipers on your Oldsmobile Alero, if your car is pulsing and shuddering when you hit the brakes, the rotors may be the culprit. Though rotors rarely need to be replaced, if they become warped or worn, it's time to have them resurfaced, and if that doesn't work then it's time to buy new ones.
Instructions
- Purchase the correct rotors for your Alero. Visit your local car parts store or order online either the front or the rear set of rotors for your car. Replacing all rotors on your vehicle is ideal, but you must replace your rotors one set at a time instead of individually to avoid unsafe and uneven braking.
- Jack up your Oldsmobile Alero with a car jack and jack stands. If you are jacking up the entire car, make sure to put the jack stands under your vehicle in a formation that will prevent your car from tilting or falling off the jack stands. Use four or more to secure your car in place. Block the wheels to keep the car from rolling.
- Take off the tire and wheel assembly by first loosening the lug nuts and taking off the wheel. Use a socket wrench or an air ratchet with an appropriate adapter to remove the wheel assembly.
- Attach a C-clamp to the brake caliper with its ends against the rear of the caliper body and the outboard disc brake pad.
- Compress the piston into the caliper bore which will cause the caliper to move back from the rotor. Take off the C-clamp. Use a piece of mechanic's wire to support the caliper and then remove the old rotor. Be sure not to disconnect the brake hose from the caliper or you must then bleed the brakes afterward.
- Install the new rotor and then reinstall the brake caliper and the brake caliper bracket to complete the suspension knuckle. Finish by putting the wheel assembly and tire back into place.
- Repeat this for all rotors you are replacing. Be sure to replace one rotor at a time, removing one wheel at a time. Once you are finished, lower the car and tighten the wheel lug nuts with a torque wrench. Be sure to test drive your car to make sure that everything is in working order.
