Looking to do my own rear brakes on my 2004 Maxx. I've read a few How-to guides but they aren't very detailed and lack pictures. I've got a Chilton manual on the way, but what I'd really like is a video.

Unfortunately, threads on this forum don't go back very far. Is there a consolidated list of repair guides? Anyone have a video?

Hi john, I have a 2006 Maxx that will need brakes soon. I too plan on doing the job myself. Have you found any helpful web sites? Does your 04 have rear disc?

My Maxx has rear disc brakes.

Nothing very good on the web. The Chilton guide isn't bad, but a few things I've read I'm not sure about. I'd much rather have a video. In any case, you'll need a tool to rotate the caliper piston to push it back. I've read somewhere about the parking brake cable getting in the way.

- http://www.ehow.com/how_6809791_do-job-chevrolet-malibu-maxx.html
This guide advises to remove some brake fluid from the reservoir and put it back. But it doesn't mention anything specific about the parking brake cable or rotating the piston while pushing it back in.

- http://chevroletforum.com/forum/malibu-15/2005-malibu-maxx-rear-brake-replacement-8265/
This one mentions rotating the piston.

Thanks for the links. The information will help when Im ready to do my Maxx. Last night I did the rears on my sons Honda and the cube tool would have been useful to have. We did manage just useing a large srewdriver to turn and push the caliper back.

Thanks for the links. The information will help when Im ready to do my Maxx. Last night I did the rears on my sons Honda and the cube tool would have been useful to have. We did manage just useing a large srewdriver to turn and push the caliper back.

The cube tool MAY work - but it's a pain compared to the proper tool.

The Harbor Freight flavor is at http://www.harborfreight.com/18-piece-disc-brake-pad-and-caliper-service-tool-kit-97143.html . But check with your local autoparts store (Autozone, O'Reilly's, Advance, whatever). Most of them have a LoanATool type program where you buy it, use it, and return it for full refund (special tools, now! Not just anything across the counter.)

That type tool is MUCH easier to use to crank a caliper back in.

RwP

One thing to make note on is to pickup new hardware as in rubber boots that cover the slide pins. These pins can be a pain in the *** and may require heat from a torch to break loose and you end up burning the rubber in the process. Always clean your slides pins because you want equal wear on both break pads.

The cube tool MAY work - but it's a pain compared to the proper tool.

The Harbor Freight flavor is at http://www.harborfreight.com/18-piece-disc-brake-pad-and-caliper-service-tool-kit-97143.html .

RwP

Ralph, thanks for the information on the proper tool for pushing the piston back into the caliper on the rears. Are the rears different because of the emergency brake on the rears. Also, I saw your post on the no start and no tail light problem. Very impressed with your ability to diagnose! Appears you have spent alot of time with a wrench in your hand.

Ralph, thanks for the information on the proper tool for pushing the piston back into the caliper on the rears. Are the rears different because of the emergency brake on the rears. Also, I saw your post on the no start and no tail light problem. Very impressed with your ability to diagnose! Appears you have spent alot of time with a wrench in your hand.

Pshaw.

Almost 300K miles on the Malibu (and a nephew who USED to own a wrecking yard and knew most of the mechanics in town) helps a lot.

Yes, it's because of the caliper-driven rear brakes. My Alero kit doesn't have this (for the 2000 Malibu) because it's a top-hat design and uses drum parking brakes, but for pure-disc brake setups (like my Cougar), the caliper piston screws in and out, so it needs the proper tool.

(BOY does it need the proper tool! I did one of my Cougar rear calipers by hand, and about 3/4 of the way through, I said "$PROFANITY this $PROFANITY!" and bought the tool.)

'Course, I'm old enough that it was pretty much a given that if you were a male teenager with a IQ in the middle-double-digits or higher AND had a body temp above 90F, you were working on cars. Or chasing girls. Or working on cars so you COULD chase the girls :eek:

Add to that being too broke to AFFORD to get it done, and I've done a lot of it myself.

But truly, a lot of it boils back to when we had to cipher out how it was SUPPOSED to work, figure out how it could break, and then FIX it, as a kid.

Even today a lot of it is the same.

Oh, some (that POS design GM used for the tail lights, the no-start, the A/C head unit failing on the Gen5 units) I get from talking to my nephew. And from experience (BTDTGTTS on all three of those!)

RwP

Well said. I can truly relate to much of what you say.

Pshaw.

too broke to AFFORD to get it done, and I've done a lot of it myself.

But truly, a lot of it boils back to when we had to cipher out how it was SUPPOSED to work, figure out how it could break, and then FIX it, as a kid.

RwP

and of course the motivation (girls) to have your car in top condition and shine for Friday night!