(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

97 LeSabre brake job

D

Don-Wi

Well-known Member
I need to replace the pads in my wife's car this weekend. Trying to remember what tools I need to remove the calipers. I know a big c-clamp to compress the caliper, but then what? Been a while since I've done brakes on a GM. I had the tires off to inspect and the rotors are barely worn. The pads are down to the squeelers already, with probably only 30-40,000 miles. (her dad had the brakes done when we were only dating- Must have been cheap pads)

I'm asking because most my tools are at work, so I need to know what I need to bring home to do the job. Don't feel like loading my whole toolbox into the truck, so help me out here guys....

What do I need? It's a couple metric allen head bolts isn't it?

Donovan from Wisconsin
 
Yes, metric allen bolts-3/8ish in size. Often a long prybar is good, as the pads might be tight on the rotor, and you will need to pry them apart to remove the caliper. Wire wheel might be wanted to dress the slides, but often not needed. Greg
 
Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for. I've got the prybars and wire brushes covered. Just need to double check my metric allen wrenches to make sure I have that size at the farm. Fairly certain I do but I need to check.

Thinking I'm gonna go with ceramic pads this time. I just can't beleive the pads wore out well before the tires did... The tires were new when she got the car, so they've got somewhere around 60,000 miles on them and are good for one more winter. Bad part is, both our cars are gonna need new tires before next winter.

Donovan from Wisconsin
 
I would recommend the ceramic pads! I tried semi-metalics on my 03 venture van, and they squeeked like the chirpers from the get go. Dad bought the van from me and put ceramic pads on it, no more squeek! I have put ceramics on all my GMs since that experience! Greg
 
not sure but i'd grab 15,,-19 mm sockets for the caliper and the mounting frame. also, then replacing the pads, there are small metal strips the clip to the caliper to keep the pads from rattling. when you remove the old clips, clean up the rust behinnd them really good with a wire brush. if you dont the pad clearance is pretty tight and the pad will hang up in the caliper. we see that quite a bit here at the shop.
 
not sure but i'd grab 15,16,17,18,-19 mm sockets for the caliper and the mounting frame. also, then replacing the pads, there are small metal strips the clip to the caliper to keep the pads from rattling. when you remove the old clips, clean up the rust behinnd them really good with a wire brush. if you dont the pad clearance is pretty tight and the pad will hang up in the caliper. we see that quite a bit here at the shop.
 
When you push the caliper pistons back, consider opening the bleeder on the caliper. I messed up a anti-lock braking system by pushing the old fluid in the caliper back in the system. I finally fixed the problem with a lot of bleeding of old fluid from each caliper.

Kent
 
Here's a picture of a torx socket. I had to use one of these on a Chevy Citation and I think Buick would use the same tool. They are somewhat different than an allen wrench. Hal
37858.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 08:34:41 11/02/10) Here's a picture of a torx socket. I had to use one of these on a Chevy Citation and I think Buick would use the same tool. They are somewhat different than an allen wrench. Hal
37858.jpg
Click to expand...

I would bet that his '97 Buick takes metric wrenches.
I'm pretty sure my son's '98 Pontiac does. And I know my '00 & '01 Buicks take the metric wrenches.
 
Why don't you take the time to jack the car up and look to see what you are dealing with? If you don't have any tools available, it could save you from buying a lot of stuff you don't need. I think it will either be an Allen head or Torx bolt, but I have no idea what size. Block the vehicle BEFORE you get under it, especially if you have to use the jack that came with the car.
 

I won't be buying anything other than the parts. Like I said, I just need to know what I need from my toolbox at work. I do remember when I did the brakes on my last car (95 olds) there weren't any special tools or torx wrenches needed. Betting the 97 buick will be almost the same.

Donovan from Wisconsin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Truck brakes
Replies
17
Views
810
john in la
J
D
Spra coupe 220 brakes
Replies
12
Views
429
Dale36
D
Geo-TH,In
Tool to install ceramic brake pads.
2
Replies
20
Views
3K
Hobo,NC
Hobo,NC
jd2cyl1943
How do you go around brake restoration?
Replies
7
Views
364
OregonAaron
O
G
Case 480b brake work
Replies
1
Views
143
Tgrasher
Tgrasher
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top