Buick Regal: Rear Disc Brake Pads Replacement (GNC)

Removal Procedure

WARNING: Brake Dust Warning. WARNING: Brake Fluid Irritant Warning.

CAUTION: Brake Fluid Effects on Paint and Electrical Components Caution.

NOTE: Always replace disc brake pads in axle sets.

1. Inspect the fluid level in the brake master cylinder reservoir.

• If the brake fluid level is midway between the maximum-full point and the minimum allowable level, no brake fluid needs to be removed before proceeding.
• If the brake fluid level is higher than midway between the maximum-full point and the minimum allowable level, remove brake fluid to the midway point before proceeding.

2. Set the park brake in Service Mode.

Manual Method

1. Change the transmission gear to neutral or park position.
2. Press and hold the push button start switch for 10 seconds, with the brake pedal not applied.

   This will place the vehicle in Service Mode (Ignition ON with the engine OFF).

3. Press brake pedal several times until brake booster vacuum is empty.
4. Press the brake pedal and press the park brake switch until the orange park brake lamp begins to flash. By keeping the brake pedal applied, release and re-press the park brake switch for approximately 5 seconds.
5. Release the brake pedal. The orange park brake lamp extinguishes for a moment after which the rear brake calipers are retracting.

Scan Tool Method (only use if manual method fails)

1. Install the scan tool to the vehicle and perform the rear brake caliper piston retract.

3. Raise and support the vehicle.

4. Remove the rear tire and wheel assemblies.

5.

NOTE:

• Do NOT use any air tools to remove or install the brake caliper guide pin bolts. Use hand tools ONLY.
• Install an open end wrench to hold the caliper guide pin in line with the brake caliper while removing or installing the caliper guide pin bolt.(2)

Brake Caliper Guide Pin Bolt(1)- Lower - Remove.

6.

Pivot the brake caliper upward and secure with heavy mechanics wire, or equivalent.(1)

7.

Rear Disc Brake Pad(2)- Outer - Remove.

8. Rear Disc Brake Pad(1)- Inner - Remove.

9.

Rear Brake Shoe Hold Down Spring(1) - Remove and DISCARD[2x].

10.

NOTE: For the sake of clarity the illustration shows the rear brake caliper bracket sectioned.

Inspect the brake caliper guide pins (1)for freedom of movement, and inspect the condition of the guide pin boots (2). Move the guide pins inboard and outboard within the bracket bores, without disengaging the slides from the boots, and observe for the following:

• Restricted caliper guide pin movement
• Looseness in the brake caliper mounting bracket
• Seized or binding caliper guide pins
• Split or torn boots

11. If a condition exists - Replace damaged components.

12.

Inspect the brake caliper piston and brake caliper piston boot (1). Observe the following:

• Seized or binding piston
• Boot not correct in piston groove
• Boot twisted
• Split or torn boot

13. If a condition exists - Replace damaged components.

Installation Procedure

NOTE: Do NOT rotate the brake caliper piston when retracting.

1. Carefully push the disc brake caliper piston into the caliper bore until fully seated, using a commercial brake caliper piston retracting shop tool.

2. Thoroughly clean the brake pad hardware mating surfaces of the caliper bracket of any debris and corrosion.

3.

Rear Brake Shoe Hold Down Spring(1) - Install NEW[2x].

4.

Rear Disc Brake Pad(1)- Inner - Install.

5. Rear Disc Brake Pad(2)- Outer - Install.

6.

Ensure the brake caliper guide pin seal is fully seated in the groove of the brake caliper guide pin and the guide pin slides freely in caliper bracket bore.

7. Pivot the brake caliper to the installed position.(1)

8.

CAUTION: Fastener Caution.

NOTE:

• Do NOT use any air tools to remove or install the brake caliper guide pin bolts. Use hand tools ONLY.
• Install an open end wrench to hold the caliper guide pin in line with the brake caliper while removing or installing the caliper guide pin bolt.(2) Allowing the open end wrench to come in contact with the brake caliper will cause a pulsation when the brakes are applied.

Brake Caliper Guide Pin Bolt(1) - Lower - Install and tighten 35 N.m (26 lb ft).

9. Install the rear tire and wheel assemblies. 10. With the engine OFF, gradually apply the brake pedal to approximately 2/3 of its travel distance.

11. Slowly release the brake pedal.

12. Repeat steps (11 - 12) until a firm brake pedal is obtained.

This will properly seat the brake caliper pistons and brake pads.

13. Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir to the maximum-full level with GM approved brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container.

14. Reset the park brake system from Service Mode.

Manual Method

1. Change the transmission gear to neutral or park position.
2. Press and hold the push button start switch for 10 seconds, with the brake pedal not applied.

   This will place the vehicle in Service Mode (Ignition ON with the engine OFF).

3. Press the brake pedal and pull the park brake switch until the orange park brake lamp extinguishes and the rear brake calipers are extending.
4. Release the brake pedal.

Scan Tool Method (only use if manual method fails)

1. Install the scan tool to the vehicle and perform the rear brake caliper piston extend.

REAR DISC BRAKE PADS REPLACEMENT (GNQ)

Removal Procedure

WARNING: Brake Dust Warning.

WARNING: Brake Fluid Irritant Warning.

CAUTION: Brake Fluid Effects on Paint and Electrical Components Caution.

NOTE: Always replace disc brake pads in axle sets.

1. Inspect the fluid level in the brake master cylinder reservoir.

• If the brake fluid level is midway between the maximum-full point and the minimum allowable level, no brake fluid needs to be removed before proceeding.
• If the brake fluid level is higher than midway between the maximum-full point and the minimum allowable level, remove brake fluid to the midway point before proceeding.

2. Set the park brake in Service Mode.

Manual Method

1. Change the transmission gear to neutral or park position.
2. Press and hold the push button start switch for 10 seconds, with the brake pedal not applied.

   This will place the vehicle in Service Mode (Ignition ON with the engine OFF).

3. Press brake pedal several times until brake booster vacuum is empty.
4. Press the brake pedal and press the park brake switch until the orange park brake lamp begins to flash. By keeping the brake pedal applied, release and re-press the park brake switch for approximately 5 seconds.
5. Release the brake pedal. The orange park brake lamp extinguishes for a moment after which the rear brake calipers are retracting.

Scan Tool Method (only use if manual method fails)

1. Install the scan tool to the vehicle and perform the rear brake caliper piston retract.

3. Raise and support the vehicle.

4. Remove the rear tire and wheel assemblies. 5.

NOTE:

• Do NOT use any air tools to remove or install the brake caliper guide pin bolts. Use hand tools ONLY.
• Install an open end wrench to hold the caliper guide pin in line with the brake caliper while removing or installing the caliper guide pin bolt.(2)

Brake Caliper Guide Pin Bolt(1) - Lower - Remove.

6.

Pivot the brake caliper upward and secure with heavy mechanics wire, or equivalent.(1)

7.

Rear Disc Brake Pad(1) - Outer - Remove.

8. Rear Disc Brake Pad(2) - Inner - Remove.

9.

Rear Brake Shoe Hold Down Spring(1) - Remove and DISCARD[2x].

10.

NOTE: For the sake of clarity the illustration shows the rear brake caliper bracket sectioned.

Inspect the brake caliper guide pins (2)for freedom of movement, and inspect the condition of the guide pin boots (1). Move the guide pins inboard and outboard within the bracket bores, without disengaging the slides from the boots, and observe for the following:

• Restricted caliper guide pin movement
• Looseness in the brake caliper mounting bracket
• Seized or binding caliper guide pins
• Split or torn boots

11. If a condition exists - Replace damaged components.

12.

Inspect the brake caliper piston and brake caliper piston boot (1). Observe the following:

• Seized or binding piston
• Boot not correct in piston groove
• Boot twisted
• Split or torn boot

13. If a condition exists - Replace damaged components.

Installation Procedure

NOTE: Do NOT rotate the brake caliper piston when retracting.

1. Carefully push the disc brake caliper piston into the caliper bore until fully seated, using a commercial brake caliper piston retracting shop tool.

2. Thoroughly clean the brake pad hardware mating surfaces of the caliper bracket of any debris and corrosion.

3.

Rear Brake Shoe Hold Down Spring(1) - Install NEW[2x].

4.

Rear Disc Brake Pad(2) - Inner - Install.

5. Rear Disc Brake Pad(1) - Outer - Install.

6.

Ensure the brake caliper guide pin seal is fully seated in the groove of the brake caliper guide pin and the guide pin slides freely in caliper bracket bore.

7. Pivot the brake caliper to the installed position.(1)

8.

CAUTION: Fastener Caution.

NOTE:

• Do NOT use any air tools to remove or install the brake caliper guide pin bolts. Use hand tools ONLY.
• Install an open end wrench to hold the caliper guide pin in line with the brake caliper while removing or installing the caliper guide pin bolt.(2) Allowing the open end wrench to come in contact with the brake caliper will cause a pulsation when the brakes are applied.

Brake Caliper Guide Pin Bolt(1) - Lower - Install and tighten 35N.m (26 lb ft).

9. Install the rear tire and wheel assemblies. 10. With the engine OFF, gradually apply the brake pedal to approximately 2/3 of its travel distance.

11. Slowly release the brake pedal.

12. Repeat steps (11 - 12)until a firm brake pedal is obtained.

This will properly seat the brake caliper pistons and brake pads.

13. Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir to the maximum-full level with GM approved brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir Filling.

14. Reset the park brake system from Service Mode.

Manual Method

1. Change the transmission gear to neutral or park position.
2. Press and hold the push button start switch for 10 seconds, with the brake pedal not applied.

   This will place the vehicle in Service Mode (Ignition ON with the engine OFF).

3. Press the brake pedal and pull the park brake switch until the orange park brake lamp extinguishes and the rear brake calipers are extending.
4. Release the brake pedal.

Scan Tool Method (only use if manual method fails)

1. Install the scan tool to the vehicle and perform the rear brake caliper piston extend.

BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR BURNISHING

WARNING: Road test a vehicle under safe conditions and while obeying all traffic laws.

Do not attempt any maneuvers that could jeopardize vehicle control. Failure to adhere to these precautions could lead to serious personal injury and vehicle damage.

Burnishing the brake pads and brake rotors is necessary in order to ensure that the braking surfaces are properly prepared after service has been performed on the disc brake system.

This procedure should be performed whenever the disc brake rotors have been refinished or replaced, and/or whenever the disc brake pads have been replaced.

1. Select a smooth road with little or no traffic.

2. Accelerate the vehicle to 48 km/h (30 mph).

NOTE: Use care to avoid overheating the brakes while performing this step.

3. Using moderate to firm pressure, apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to a stop. Do not allow the brakes to lock.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until approximately 20 stops have been completed. Allow sufficient cooling periods between stops in order to properly burnish the brake pads and rotors.

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