C5 Corvette: How to change the brake pads

Changing the brake pads in the C5 Corvettes is pretty simple, But here is a run through with a few tricks to make it as easy as possible.

Tools Needed:

15mm box-end wrench
16mm open-end wrench
15mm socket wrench
2 large flat-head screw drivers
Large C-Clamp

First off, remove the wheel to get at the brake rotor.  Follow guidelines for properly raising and lowering your car.

Front Brakes:

1) Insert a pair of large screw drivers between the outside arm of the caliper and the outside pad.  With a little pressure, you can compress the pistons and push them back down into their sleeves.  Try to get the pistons down as far as you can to make it easier to install the new pads.

2)
Use a 15mm box-end wrench to remove the top caliper pin on the front brakes.  Now the front caliper will be able to easily swing away from the rotor.

3)
Remove the old brake pads and insert the new pads in their place.

4)
Rotate the caliper back into place over the new brake pads and over the rotor.  Use the C-Clamp to compress the piston further if needed.

5)
Insert the top pin and screw it in by hand before using the 15mm wrench to tighten the caliper pin.

Rear Brakes:

The rear brakes are a little different.

1) Use a 15mm socket wrench on the outside bolt and a 16mm open-end wrench on the inside bolt.  Remove the caliper bolt.  Now the rear caliper will be able to easily swing away from the rotor like the front calipers did.

2)
Remove the old brake pads and insert the new pads in their place.

3)
Rotate the caliper back into place over the new brake pads and over the rotor.  Use the C-Clamp to compress the piston further if needed.

4)
Insert the caliper bolt and tighten it using the 15mm socket wrench and the 16mm open-end wrench.

Once the brake pads are replaced, check the brake fluid level.  Follow the instructions of the brake pad manufacture for break-in.