CT4-V Any experience replacing rotors and pads?

[Ungwei]

I'm considering attempting the replacement myself with oem pads and rotors I bought from rockauto.

From my research the front wheels aren't too difficult other than the pad sensor, but the rears can be more difficult.

I've found a shop willing to install the parts for me, but I'd love to be able to save the money given how expensive the parts alone are. Has anyone replaced the pads and rotors on these cars?

 

[LastGas]

Front rotors are easy, as you say. Just have a good impact gun to take off the caliper bolts. And an impact screwdriver to loosen the rotor screw. Good home mechanic job. I'm a marginal wrench and managed it.

Getting access to the rear caliper bolts is difficult. I punted to a mechanic. Lift would help to give better access.

Are you sure your rotors, especially the rears, are toast? Hard to kill the rears without a lot of track time.

 

[Ungwei]

Front rotors are easy, as you say. Just have a good impact gun to take off the caliper bolts. And an impact screwdriver to loosen the rotor screw. Good home mechanic job. I'm a marginal wrench and managed it.

Getting access to the rear caliper bolts is difficult. I punted to a mechanic. Lift would help to give better access.

Are you sure your rotors, especially the rears, are toast? Hard to kill the rears without a lot of track time.

Good question, car has only had occasional autocross, but the car has 57k miles on it. Dealership wanted to do rotors and pads for front and back. Front and rear pads are definitely done (sensor just went off), and I remember hearing that with the Blackwings, GM says to replace both the pads and rotors.

 

[LastGas]

Consensus view is that the pads with rotors thing is a dealer $$$ special. If your rotors are still within spec, no need to change. Front min is 32mm. Would be very surprising if you are down to 32mm on one set of pads.

Pad change is super easy in front and back. Wear sensor also not too bad upfront if it's been triggered. Wear sensor in back is a pain. Many of us just ziptie the old sensor out of the way or otherwise short it so we don't have to deal with it. OEM pads still have the metal screech tabs and will make terrible squeels if they are worn out.

 

[mfcentex]

Did you make to 57k on the original pads (and rotor)?

 

[Ungwei]

I'm ordering a caliper measure to check the thickness, I haven't noticed any strange behavior on braking other than maybe weaker bite so hopefully I can just do the pads and return the rotors. Would the rotors require any resurfacing?

 

[Ungwei]

Did you make to 57k on the original pads (and rotor)?

I did, the pad sensors just went off, rotors look fine but I'll be checking the thickness. I tend to brake super gradually.

 

[Kawman]

Our rotors can be turned. In fact, you can make them as lite as the GiroDisc rotors. No need to fear any micro cracking you might see if you've gotten them hot from track use.

This information comes straight from John Heinricy.

 

[Ungwei]

Front passenger pads and rotors for reference, maybe I can just swap the pads myself and be done with it? No rotor turning/replacement?

 

[1Evil55]

Those look pretty thin(pads). Replacing them is probably one of the easier maintenance projects on a car. Basic tools only including a good jack and more importantly a solid stand to rest the corner on.

 

[Ungwei]

Those look pretty thin(pads). Replacing them is probably one of the easier maintenance projects on a car. Basic tools only including a good jack and more importantly a solid stand to rest the corner on.

Yup, I have everything I need, my only concern is being able to deal with the wear sensors, does anyone have any kind of guide or instructions to follow for removing/replacing them? I wouldn't mind using a ziptie on the old ones to move them out of the way.

 

[Kawman]

I just checked my OEM pads that were taken off at 14K and 4 track days. They look as thin or thinner than yours. My mechanic installed my Porterfield R-4 pads in about 30 minutes and said have a nice day - no charge. There was no need to turn the rotors. I've got 2K miles and 2 track days on them and they are great.

 

[LastGas]

Yup, I have everything I need, my only concern is being able to deal with the wear sensors, does anyone have any kind of guide or instructions to follow for removing/replacing them? I wouldn't mind using a ziptie on the old ones to move them out of the way.

You can buy a three day subscription to the service manual on the AC Delco website for $10. It covers changing pads and probably any other maintenance items you might be interested in.