- 1). Park the vehicle on a flat, level surface. Loosen the lug nuts that hold the rear wheels to the vehicle's hub. Lift the vehicle with a floor jack and lower it onto a pair of jack stands, one under either side of the car. Make sure the vehicle is securely supported. Finish removing the wheels and set them out of the way.
- 2). Clean the brake rotor, caliper and nearby components with brake cleaner and a clean, dry rag. Locate the two large bolts that hold the brake caliper to the vehicle's suspension; they are on the back of the rotor, facing the wheel well.
- 3). Loosen and remove the bolts with a socket and a ratchet. Slide the caliper off the rotor, ensuring that any wires that go to the caliper and the brake pads do not get damaged. Support the caliper while you work by tying it to a nearby suspension component so that the soft brake line does get damaged by the weight of the caliper dragging on it.
- 4). Remove the caliper bracket if your car uses one; it is the metal bracket to which the brake caliper is bolted. Use a socket and a ratchet to remove the bolts that hold the bracket in place. The bolts are star-shaped on some models.
- 5). Inspect the rotor for a set screw that holds the rotor to the hub. Not all makes and models utilize a set screw to hold the rotor in place. If there is one, use the appropriate tool to remove it. If there is no set screw, remove the rotor by simply pulling it directly toward you. You may need to tap it lightly from the back with a rubber mallet to remove it.
- 6). Clean the area where the rotor mounts with brake cleaner and a rag. Slide the new rotor onto the hub. Reinstall the set screw that holds the rotor in place, if applicable. Reinstall the caliper carrier.
- 7). Remove the cap from the brake fluid reservoir, which will be located in the engine bay. Remove a small amount of the brake fluid. This is to prevent the fluid from spilling out when the brake caliper piston is compressed so the brakes pads will have enough clearance to slide over the rotor.
- 8). Compress the caliper piston with a C-clamp. Place one pad of the clamp on the brake pad and one on the outside of the caliper and tighten the clamp until the piston is retracted into the caliper. On some makes such as VWs and Audis, you will need a special tool to turn and compress the piston simultaneously. This tool is available from auto parts stores.
- 9). Slide the caliper over the rotor. Install and tighten the bolts that hold the caliper in place. Reinstall the wheels and lower the vehicle to the ground. Fill up the brake fluid reservoir with fresh brake fluid. Pump the brake pedal until the pedal feels firm again.