Welcome to the guide on how to change the front brake discs & pads on a Corsa C.
This guide was carried on on a Corsa C 1.2 Sxi but will be similar for most, if not all other corsa models.
Tools
E20 hex socket.
0.5" ratchet.
Hammer.
Large spanner.
Brake piston clamp.
Brake cleaner aerosol/spray.
WD40.
Step 1
Take the cap off your brake fluid resevoir.
Step 2
Loosen wheel nuts.
Jack the car up at the first corner you choose to work on and make sure it is safely supported (If you have access to ramps ignore this bit). Take the wheel off and turn the steering wheel so the front of the caliper is turned away from the car, this allows easier access to the rear of the caliper. (Not done in the picture)
Step 3
Using the 0.5" ratchet and the E20 hex socket, loosen the retaining bolts as pictured. Be careful that you only undo the two big bolts that secure the caliper onto the disc. If they are difficult to remove, I'd suggest giving them a soak with wd40 and leaving it for a few minutes.
Step 4
Remove the caliper from the disc, it may need lightly tapping with a hammer to remove it. Put it out of the way and make sure it is supported so the brake hose doesn't stretch or tear.
Step 5
Remove the securing screw from the disc. I have no idea on what it is officially called, or the size of it.
Step 6
Remove the disc from the hub. You may find that it is stuck solid. Give the disc a good whack from behind with the hammer. As it is being replaced it doesn't matter if you damage it. You should now be left with a bare hub.
Step 7
Slide the new disc into place, ensuring all the holes are lined up correctly, then refit the disc securing screw.
Step 8
There are two methods to preparing the caliper for the new pads.
First is to use a piston clamp and gently force the caliper piston back into it's seating, this will now in turn free to old pads up and they will be free enough to slide out of the caliper.
The cheaper way is to use a large spanner, and lever it between the two old pads, gently forcing them apart, and the piston back into its seating. Again it doesn't matter if you mark the face of the pads as they are being replaced anyway.
Slide the outer pad into the middle of the caliper, then lift out of the caliper, then slide the piston side pad into the middle of the caliper, then out of the caliper.
Refit the new pads in the reverse way of taking the old ones out, adding a lip off copper grease to the back of them to minimise the chance of squeaks (taking care not to get any on the braking surfaces). If they won't quite fit it, you will have to push the piston in some more.
This method saves having to dismantle the whole caliper.
Step 9
Slide the caliper back onto the disc, and refit the two big securing bolts using your E20 socket and 0.5" ratchet. I'm unsure of the torque settings so I would suggest consulting a haynes manual or similar. I just nip them up very tight.
Step 10
Refit the wheel. Refit the lid to the brake fluid tank. Lower the car to the ground and gently pump the pedal, have a few slow runs up and down to check all is working ok.
ResultCost
This guide was carried on on a Corsa C 1.2 Sxi but will be similar for most, if not all other corsa models.
Tools
E20 hex socket.
0.5" ratchet.
Hammer.
Large spanner.
Brake piston clamp.
Brake cleaner aerosol/spray.
WD40.
Step 1
Take the cap off your brake fluid resevoir.
Step 2
Loosen wheel nuts.
Jack the car up at the first corner you choose to work on and make sure it is safely supported (If you have access to ramps ignore this bit). Take the wheel off and turn the steering wheel so the front of the caliper is turned away from the car, this allows easier access to the rear of the caliper. (Not done in the picture)
Step 3
Using the 0.5" ratchet and the E20 hex socket, loosen the retaining bolts as pictured. Be careful that you only undo the two big bolts that secure the caliper onto the disc. If they are difficult to remove, I'd suggest giving them a soak with wd40 and leaving it for a few minutes.
Step 4
Remove the caliper from the disc, it may need lightly tapping with a hammer to remove it. Put it out of the way and make sure it is supported so the brake hose doesn't stretch or tear.
Step 5
Remove the securing screw from the disc. I have no idea on what it is officially called, or the size of it.
Step 6
Remove the disc from the hub. You may find that it is stuck solid. Give the disc a good whack from behind with the hammer. As it is being replaced it doesn't matter if you damage it. You should now be left with a bare hub.
Step 7
Slide the new disc into place, ensuring all the holes are lined up correctly, then refit the disc securing screw.
Step 8
There are two methods to preparing the caliper for the new pads.
First is to use a piston clamp and gently force the caliper piston back into it's seating, this will now in turn free to old pads up and they will be free enough to slide out of the caliper.
The cheaper way is to use a large spanner, and lever it between the two old pads, gently forcing them apart, and the piston back into its seating. Again it doesn't matter if you mark the face of the pads as they are being replaced anyway.
Slide the outer pad into the middle of the caliper, then lift out of the caliper, then slide the piston side pad into the middle of the caliper, then out of the caliper.
Refit the new pads in the reverse way of taking the old ones out, adding a lip off copper grease to the back of them to minimise the chance of squeaks (taking care not to get any on the braking surfaces). If they won't quite fit it, you will have to push the piston in some more.
This method saves having to dismantle the whole caliper.
Step 9
Slide the caliper back onto the disc, and refit the two big securing bolts using your E20 socket and 0.5" ratchet. I'm unsure of the torque settings so I would suggest consulting a haynes manual or similar. I just nip them up very tight.
Step 10
Refit the wheel. Refit the lid to the brake fluid tank. Lower the car to the ground and gently pump the pedal, have a few slow runs up and down to check all is working ok.
ResultCost
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