How to Change the Brakes on a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT in 5 Easy Steps

Routinely replacing the brake pads on your car is pivotal to preventing further damage to your car and keeping you safe. Hiring a professional shop can cost upwards of $800. By comparison changing your brake pads on your car costs less then $25. In this guide I will outline how to change the brake pads on a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am GT in five simple steps.

Before you begin you will need to make sure you have some basic parts and tools available. You will need: a car jack or jack stands, a 3/8" Allen wrench, a flathead screw driver, a lug nut wrench, a C clamp, and a new set of brake pads.

1: Remove the tire

Begin by loosening the lug nuts on the rim of the wheel. It is important to do this while the car is still on the ground to prevent the tire from spinning. Once you have each lug nut loosened lift the car off of the ground using the car jack. Make sure that you are working on a level surface and the parking brake is engaged to prevent the car from moving or slipping off of the jack.

Once the car has been lifted enough finish removing the lug nuts and place them to the side. Carefully remove the tire and place it off to the side as well.

2: Remove the brake shoe

Next locate the brake shoe. On the back of the shoe there are two 3/8" Allen wrench bolts. Using the 3/8" Allen wrench, unscrew both of these. With both bolts loosened the brake shoe should pull up and away from the rotor. Be careful not to pull the brake shoe too far as you can damage the brake fluid line that is connected.

3: Remove the old pads

Using the flat head screw drive remove both of the old brake pads. The front pad should have two clips that hold it to the shoe. The rear pad has metal clips that fit inside of the shoe.

4: Compress the plunger

Begin this step by opening the hood of your Grand Am. Locate the brake fluid cap and loosen it. You do not need to remove it all of the way, just enough to release any pressure. Next use the C clamp to compress the plunger on the brake shoe. The plunger is located on the inside of the shoe where the rear pad was. Compress the plunger until it is just about flush with the brake shoe. Remove the C clamp and the plunger will stay in place.

5: Insert the new pads

Remove the new brake pads from the box, making sure to match up the correct pads for the side of the car you are working on. Clip the rear pad in the plunger and attach the front pad by carefully lifting the clips and sliding them back over the outside of the shoe. Be careful not to bend the clips however.

Once the pads are in place put the brake shoe back on to the rotor, making sure to line the pads and shoe up in the correct position. Using the Allen wrench tighten the bolts back into place.

Tighten the cap back down on the brake fluid tank. This is important to avoid getting any air into the brake lines. Get into the car and without starting it, press the brake pedal to the floor until it feels tight again. This will move the plunger back into place, pressing the rear pad to the rotor.

Check to ensure a correct fit and replace the tire. Repeat on the other side of the car.