🔧 Impala - Front Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the front wheels, take off the brake calipers, replace the rotors, then install new pads and reassemble everything with the correct torque. This restores safe stopping power and prevents vibration or grinding from worn pads/rotors.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🧯 Work on a flat surface and support your Impala with jack stands (never rely on a jack).
• 🧤 Brakes create dust—wear a mask and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• 🔥 Brakes can be hot—let everything cool before touching the rotor/caliper.
• 🧵 Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose—support it with a hook/strap.
• 🧴 Brake fluid can overflow when compressing pistons—watch the master cylinder level.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (10-200 ft-lbs)
• 19mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8")
• Ratchet (1/2")
• Flat blade screwdriver
• C-clamp (6")
• Wire brush
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Rubber mallet
• Drain pan

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front brake pad hardware/clip kit - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• High-temp silicone brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• 🔧 Crack the front wheel lug nuts loose 1/2 turn before lifting (use a 19mm socket and breaker bar).
• 🧴 Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level—if it’s near “MAX,” be ready to remove a little fluid if it rises while compressing pistons (use a drain pan under the area).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front end

• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Lift the front with a floor jack at the front jacking point.
• Set the car onto jack stands under solid frame/support points.

Step 2: Remove the front wheels

• Use a 19mm socket and ratchet (1/2") to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and set them aside.

Step 3: Remove the caliper (the part that squeezes the pads)

• Use a flat blade screwdriver to gently pry the caliper outward a little (this creates space to remove it).
• Use a 13mm socket and ratchet (3/8") to remove the 2 caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it using a brake caliper hanger hook.
• Never let it hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware clips

• Slide the old pads out by hand.
• Remove the stainless hardware clips from the caliper bracket by hand or with a flat blade screwdriver.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket (the metal frame the pads sit in)

• The caliper bracket is the rigid mount that bolts to the steering knuckle and holds the pads in place.
• Use an 18mm socket and breaker bar (1/2") to remove the 2 bracket bolts on the back side.
• Set the bracket on a safe surface.
• On reassembly: Torque to 125 Nm (92 ft-lbs)

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• If the rotor is stuck, spray the hub/center area with brake cleaner (use a drain pan underneath).
• Tap the rotor hat (flat face near the lug studs) with a rubber mallet until it breaks loose.
• Remove the rotor from the hub.

Step 7: Clean the hub surface (prevents rotor wobble)

• Use a wire brush to clean rust off the hub face where the rotor sits.
• Spray with brake parts cleaner and wipe clean.
• A clean hub helps prevent pedal pulsation.

Step 8: Install the new rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake parts cleaner to remove protective oil.
• Place the rotor onto the hub.
• To hold it in place, hand-thread 1 lug nut backward (flat side against the rotor) using your fingers.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper bracket and install new hardware clips

• Position the bracket over the rotor and start the bolts by hand.
• Use an 18mm socket and ratchet (1/2") to snug the bolts.
• Use a torque wrench (10-200 ft-lbs) to tighten: Torque to 125 Nm (92 ft-lbs)
• Install the new hardware clips onto the bracket (press in by hand; use a flat blade screwdriver if needed).
• Apply a thin layer of high-temp silicone brake grease where the pad “ears” slide on the clips (not on the rotor).

Step 10: Compress the caliper piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston face.
• Use a C-clamp (6") to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir under the hood while compressing; remove a little fluid if it looks like it may overflow.

Step 11: Install the new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Slide the new pads into the bracket.
• Apply a small amount of high-temp silicone brake grease to the caliper slide pin contact areas.
• Set the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the 2 slide pin bolts using a 13mm socket and ratchet (3/8").
• Tighten with a torque wrench (10-200 ft-lbs): Torque to 38 Nm (28 ft-lbs)

Step 12: Repeat on the other front side

• Repeat Steps 3–11 on the other front wheel.
• Always replace pads/rotors on both sides.

Step 13: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall both wheels and hand-thread all lug nuts.
• Lower the car off the jack stands using the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Use a torque wrench (10-200 ft-lbs) with a 19mm socket to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern: Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs)

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✅ After Repair

• 🦶 Before driving, pump the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons against the new pads).
• 🧴 Recheck brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• 🔍 Check for leaks, abnormal noises, or a pulling feeling during a slow test drive.
• 🛣️ Bed-in the pads (break-in): make 8–10 moderate stops from ~40 mph down to ~10 mph, with 30 seconds between stops to cool.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$300 (parts only)

You Save: $330-$550 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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