How to Change Brake Pads and Rotors on a PT Cruiser

Brake system repair and maintenance is a common area the home mechanic can save money by doing it himself. Replacing the brake pads and rotors restores lost brake performance, caused by normal wear and tear, and helps eliminate annoying brake noise. The PT Cruiser came equipped with four-wheel disc brakes making brake repair on this vehicle a quick and easy project that requires no special tools to complete.

Instructions

1

Loosen, but do not remove, the lug nuts on the front wheels using a lug wrench. Lift the front of the PT Cruiser using a floor jack positioned under the center of the front subframe assembly. Place jack stands under the sides of the subframe assembly and lower the PT Cruiser until it rests on the stands. Remove the front tires.

2

Open the bleeder screw on the top of the caliper and slide a drain pan under the caliper to catch excess brake fluid. Slide a C-clamp over the caliper and position the screw of the clamp against the outer brake pad. Tighten the screw until the C-clamp frame is against the back of the caliper housing.

3

Tighten the C-Clamp until the caliper piston pushes completely inside the caliper housing. Close the bleeder screw and remove the C-clamp. Remove the two 14 mm caliper-mounting bolts using a 14 mm wrench. Hang the caliper from the front coil spring using a piece of heavy wire to prevent damage to the rubber brake hose.

4

Remove the caliper-mounting bracket using a socket and ratchet. Lay the bracket along with the brake pads mounted within it aside. Slide the brake rotor off the hub assembly. If the rotor is stuck on the hub, a few sharp blows with a hammer will free it.

5

Clean off any dirt and rust accumulated on the hub assembly using a wire brush. Install the new rotor onto the hub assembly and secure it to the assembly with a lug nut. Reinstall caliper bracket and torque the bolts to 77-foot pounds using a torque wrench. Clip the new brake pads onto the caliper and slide the caliper over the rotor. Install the caliper bolts and torque them to 26-foot pounds using a torque wrench.

6

Pump the brake pedal several times to expand the caliper and force the brake pads against the rotor. Reinstall the wheels and torque the lug nuts to 100-foot pounds. Lower the PT Cruiser off the jack stands and test-drive it to verify the brakes work properly.