This is not just the best video on changing brakes and rotors, but it sets a whole new standard for TH-cam presentations in general. The camera shots are superior, the audio is superb and the content was well organized and prepared. Outstanding!
At the time I viewed this video, 72 people placed a thumbs down. I would be eager to view a video from any one of those 72 people as this video was of EXCEPTIONALLY QUALITY. I was stunned at the end when he said he was not a professional!! One of the best instuctional/tutorials about that subject on TH-cam. You ARE a professional sir! Thanks & 2 thumbs up!!👍👍
This is an amazing tutorial. I have been looking for tutorials that someone like me (doesn't know a lot about fixing my own car) could understand enough to feel confident to do it myself. Most of them leave large chunks out or start in the middle or they have the camera zoomed in so much you can't tell what you are looking at. You even show where to safely put the jack. I am a woman who lives on her own and I can't tell you how much it means to me to be able to learn how to do things like this myself. I once had a Tuffy tell me it would cost $400 to fix my serpentine belt because they had to remove the engine (I knew you go in through the passenger side tire, 2006 Cobalt and no he didn't mean the timing belt). Another place charged me $360 for a battery when actually the door lock switch was corroded and needed to be replaced (it was draining the battery because it was locking and unlocking the doors all night). I never write reviews but thank you so much, I can't wait to finally replace my brake pads and rotors, it has needed it for over a year but I was in no mood or financial position to get screwed around. :)
I wish TH-cam added a feature to buy a creator a beer (or other beverage of his/her choice). I would totally buy you some beers right now. My boyfriend and I are young and broke. Brake Check wanted almost $700 for new pads and rotors. I watched this video twice and thanks to your calm demeanor and great explanations/instructions, we have new pads and rotors on for about $300 total, including about $120 in tools we did not have. So if we had the tools, it would probably be around $180 or roughly 25% of the price that a shop was going to charge. Now we are empowered to take care of this maintenance in the future. We have the know how and the tools. Thank you for this excellent, thorough video. I am still shocked that we managed to do this with no prior experience or training. Just a little bit of patience and pausing your video at each step along the way as we worked. I can't say thank you enough. He's able to continue to safely get to work and we're gonna make it without going totally broke. Occasionally you come across a TH-cam video which makes you appreciate what this technology has done for us. This is one of those. You rock!
So I have worked on cars for over 20 years I'm a single mom don't have the income to pay anybody and watching your tutorial and all the comments I got my confidence back that I lost over a couple years of not working on cars so I'm heading out now change my brakes I will comment again after I have successfully complete my brake job
I've looked at several videos to do this task. Each have some of the pieces, however neglect to show everything a somewhat knowledge deficient novice like me needs - like torque settings, complete list of tools, every little movement that makes it go better, info on the clips and so on. Also information on what to purchase to do the job. All I can say is way to put a mechanic out of a job...or else prevent more extraction of value from my wallet than need be. Kudoes for a really good job. Good camera work, detailed explanation, also coverage on doing the job safely. Nobody else mentions that. Great production. Please excuse me if I am gushing here. It is well deserved.
Dear DoSompthin; Your explanation, wording, and visual video examples are impressive! Your communication skills are really admirable! Thanks for the vid!!
I wish people made more auto fix it vids like this. You keep it simple enough to understand and very thorough. plus great camera angles. thank you so much for making it.
Thank you so very much for your amazing video. You do an absolutely brilliant job of explaining the steps involved and the tools required for the repair. With your guidance, I was able to change the front rotors and brake pads on my 2007 Cobalt in 40 minutes. I know this video is years old, but I wanted you to know it's still very valuable. Your knack for explaining and teaching should be on display in more videos. I see you have a video on changing the front struts on my car too. Off to the parts shop!
Awesome video. Thanks for boosting my confidence and teaching me. The heads up about where to fast forward the video was a huge touch. Much appreciated.
Best tutorial ever. I’ve done my own breaks before but it’s been 10 years. Nice refresher video for me along with some tips and tricks I’ve never used before. I have an 07 Cobalt LT for my beater car pads were gone, and rotors were warped.
I really liked watching this tutorial. I have been wanting to learn more about fixing my car and one of the rotors and the pads needs to be replaced asap so I definitely came to the right spot so I can do it on my own. Thanks for this!
I am trying to learn how to work on my own cars and this is an amazing video. Walks you step by step. I am fairly confident I can do this and not mess it up. Thank you!
Thank you so much! I attempted to replace my own brakes a few months back and almost succeeded but had a minor set back when the videos I watched didn't explain the brake piston. This resulted to me Taking my car in which costed me a great deal of cash. With your help I realized I was just steps away from Being done. That's okay! I know now that I was on the right path thanks to your tutorial. - john
I don't know how anybody could possibly give you a thumbs down on that video. I would give you 2 thumbs up for sure. I have watched this topic a few times to make sure I didn't miss anything and found it is "THE BEST" step by step instructional video for this job I have watched. Great job "Do Sumpthin'"
Excellent video. TIP: You can use the C-Clamp and compress the caliper piston prior to removing the caliper, this will not be awkward trying to compress the piston while the caliper is suspended.
Remember, when you go with ceramic pads, the heat allowance in the pads may exceed the heat allowance in the metal rotor, causing more wear on the rotor than the pads. When this happens, the HHR tends to develope a shimmy in the front end and steering wheel (warped rotors), and then you will have to replace the rotors before the pads. I have done this with my 2006 HHR over several brake replacements, so keep that in mind when going with ceramic pads. If you stick with metallic pads, the pads will wear before the rotors, which is commonly wanted so that you avoid the costs of always having to replace the rotors before the pads.
MrBossHoggAOL. I think I have this issue now. I just bought a hhr ss last week, when applying the brakes at a higher speed it starts to shake back and forth bad. I read the previous owners notes and seen he had a issues with rotors from auto zone the needed replaced in one year. He used ceramic pads both times. Now its my turn to get them right. Tha ks
MrBossHoggAOL ,Thank you sir for your very helpful tip I am defiantly not buying ceramic pads thank you very much from me and my family and our wallets GOD bless you and your family Have a merry Christmas - Kris from Texas
I believe ceramic pads are OEM, so you are saying you know more than the Manufacturer, you must be a genius. I am replacing pads today, the old are original with 74,000 miles on the car (worn out). And before you wonder, they car is used in suburban type driving mostly, not much freeway. I have had no rotor issues. I will be replacing with ceramic (since that is how the car came from the factory). Using non-ceramic brake pads will result in you replacing your brake pads A LOT more often.
On the Cobalt make sure you use a torque wrench and make sure you use thread locker on the caliper bolts. If you don't they will most likely back out. The Cobalt has a warning for this. You can also buy new caliper bolts that come with thread locker supplied for $8 a set.
Hey wanted to thank you for such a great and helpful video! The easy step by step way to proceed was very helpful. I am indeed a beginner to brakes. And needed this to be sure of my work. Thank you sir.
The torque wrench I have only goes to 80 foot pounds... Is that okay even though you recommended 85? Also, you mentioned that the lugnuts should be tighter... How many foot pounds for those?
Thanks for the great video! Thanks to you I changed brakes and rotors in less than an hour. Took longer to jack it up than it did to change everything! Just wish you had a video on changing bearings, that is next project.
Great video. One thing that happened to me a few years ago; I was replacing the brakes on my 99 Buick Park Ave. And like you I would just push the piston in forcing the fluid back to the reservoir. After that I had problems with the ABS. After talking to a technician I know at the GM dealer, he told me to never push fluid back on cars with ABS. Any amount of contamination from the calipers will end up in the ABS unit. I had to flush my entire system to get it working again. Now I always open the bleeder when I push them back. And if you close it while fluid is still coming out you will not have to bleed the system.
I love your video!!! So very detailed I feel confidence with doing my own brakes. You are awesome at providing instructions. Do you have a video for the rear brakes??? Thank you.
i think that packet that comes with the kit is only to lube the hardware or pad ears that glid on the hardware and for the shims but i think you need a special silicone grease for the rod guides
One tip. I have seen numerous videos where a person puts a c clamp or other clamp directly on or inside the piston. Do take a flat bar or the old pad and press against it instead. It wont cock the piston by unequal pressure. Also, in some applications fiber/organic pistons have been used. If the piston does have a weak spot or thinner material the caliper piston can be chipped, cracked, or broken.
So, you didn't go to a shop and pay them 2hrs of labor, north of $150? Just got a quote, because I live in an apt. Welp, I'm doing it myself tomorrow right in the parking garage, because screw paying $300 for the job when I can get away with $95 in parts.
Thank you for the detailed video incase I have to change my own brakes. The only thing is I DON’T trust those hand jacks on the front end of cars as they tend to bend and fail. So I’m going to invest in a floor jack to do this type of job if need be. Thanks again.
good video but i would clean and remove the old grime and build up on those rods before applying fresh grease which should be silicone based so as not to damage the boots,i would also try to swab clean the holes where they go in as well,and why did you not lube the hardware pad guides rails where the pads slide on? you should also clean the outer rim of the piston between the boot to remove any debris that may make it back into the system before you push it back in and make sure the rubber boot edges remain on the outside of the rim once the piston is pushed back before you put the caliper on
Great comments, I agree with you. I would like the person who made this video respond to this comment to see if he has any reasons for not doing the steps you suggested. When he took the pads off near the beginning of the video it looked like uneven wear on the pads. Leaving out the things you mention could cause that.
Thank you so much brother for sharing your knowledge and taking your time out to help others out it is so selfless and I thank you for that and your help GOD and JESUS will bless you for your kindness GOD Bless from Texas- Kris
Question: Dear DoSumpthin; When you finished installing the caliper; and i t is ready to press the brake , so the caliper piston goes and press the brakes pads; Do I need to start the engine?? or is it okay to press it with the engine off?? I heard different from other mechanics in my neighborhood!
8 years after you uploaded and you just helped someone (me) change his brakes for the first time ever and it was a success! Thank you!
This is not just the best video on changing brakes and rotors, but it sets a whole new standard for TH-cam presentations in general. The camera shots are superior, the audio is superb and the content was well organized and prepared. Outstanding!
At the time I viewed this video, 72 people placed a thumbs down. I would be eager to view a video from any one of those 72 people as this video was of EXCEPTIONALLY QUALITY. I was stunned at the end when he said he was not a professional!! One of the best instuctional/tutorials about that subject on TH-cam.
You ARE a professional sir!
Thanks & 2 thumbs up!!👍👍
This is an amazing tutorial. I have been looking for tutorials that someone like me (doesn't know a lot about fixing my own car) could understand enough to feel confident to do it myself. Most of them leave large chunks out or start in the middle or they have the camera zoomed in so much you can't tell what you are looking at. You even show where to safely put the jack. I am a woman who lives on her own and I can't tell you how much it means to me to be able to learn how to do things like this myself. I once had a Tuffy tell me it would cost $400 to fix my serpentine belt because they had to remove the engine (I knew you go in through the passenger side tire, 2006 Cobalt and no he didn't mean the timing belt). Another place charged me $360 for a battery when actually the door lock switch was corroded and needed to be replaced (it was draining the battery because it was locking and unlocking the doors all night). I never write reviews but thank you so much, I can't wait to finally replace my brake pads and rotors, it has needed it for over a year but I was in no mood or financial position to get screwed around. :)
I had to replace pads and rotors on my step-son's HHR. This is, hands down the, best how-to video, ever. Thank you so much.
That was the best and most extensive video I've seen on brake replacement, thank you!
Thank you! Step by step complete job 😊
2023? Never done brakes before but this makes the task easier to understand. Again, thank you!
I wish TH-cam added a feature to buy a creator a beer (or other beverage of his/her choice). I would totally buy you some beers right now. My boyfriend and I are young and broke. Brake Check wanted almost $700 for new pads and rotors. I watched this video twice and thanks to your calm demeanor and great explanations/instructions, we have new pads and rotors on for about $300 total, including about $120 in tools we did not have. So if we had the tools, it would probably be around $180 or roughly 25% of the price that a shop was going to charge.
Now we are empowered to take care of this maintenance in the future. We have the know how and the tools. Thank you for this excellent, thorough video. I am still shocked that we managed to do this with no prior experience or training. Just a little bit of patience and pausing your video at each step along the way as we worked. I can't say thank you enough. He's able to continue to safely get to work and we're gonna make it without going totally broke. Occasionally you come across a TH-cam video which makes you appreciate what this technology has done for us. This is one of those. You rock!
Jobs are always more fun (and usually go faster) when you are all buzzed up on beer.
Concise, no extra chatter, good sound. This video should be an example for all U tube video people to learn from. Thanks.
So I have worked on cars for over 20 years I'm a single mom don't have the income to pay anybody and watching your tutorial and all the comments I got my confidence back that I lost over a couple years of not working on cars so I'm heading out now change my brakes I will comment again after I have successfully complete my brake job
GREAT VIDEO!!!! The skip marks as well as the highlighted parts was a plus. 👍👍👍
I've looked at several videos to do this task. Each have some of the pieces, however neglect to show everything a somewhat knowledge deficient novice like me needs - like torque settings, complete list of tools, every little movement that makes it go better, info on the clips and so on. Also information on what to purchase to do the job. All I can say is way to put a mechanic out of a job...or else prevent more extraction of value from my wallet than need be. Kudoes for a really good job. Good camera work, detailed explanation, also coverage on doing the job safely. Nobody else mentions that. Great production. Please excuse me if I am gushing here. It is well deserved.
Dear DoSompthin; Your explanation, wording, and visual video examples are impressive! Your communication skills are really admirable! Thanks for the vid!!
I wish people made more auto fix it vids like this. You keep it simple enough to understand and very thorough. plus great camera angles. thank you so much for making it.
Thank you so very much for your amazing video. You do an absolutely brilliant job of explaining the steps involved and the tools required for the repair. With your guidance, I was able to change the front rotors and brake pads on my 2007 Cobalt in 40 minutes. I know this video is years old, but I wanted you to know it's still very valuable. Your knack for explaining and teaching should be on display in more videos. I see you have a video on changing the front struts on my car too. Off to the parts shop!
Awesome video. Thanks for boosting my confidence and teaching me. The heads up about where to fast forward the video was a huge touch. Much appreciated.
Probably the most comprehensive video on doing the brakes for an HHR,,thanks
Best tutorial ever. I’ve done my own breaks before but it’s been 10 years. Nice refresher video for me along with some tips and tricks I’ve never used before. I have an 07 Cobalt LT for my beater car pads were gone, and rotors were warped.
I really liked watching this tutorial. I have been wanting to learn more about fixing my car and one of the rotors and the pads needs to be replaced asap so I definitely came to the right spot so I can do it on my own. Thanks for this!
did front end brakes on an 09 hhr today, thanks to your video. Thank you for the step by step, appreciated!
I am trying to learn how to work on my own cars and this is an amazing video. Walks you step by step. I am fairly confident I can do this and not mess it up. Thank you!
Thank you so much!
I attempted to replace my own brakes a few months back and almost succeeded but had a minor set back when the videos I watched didn't explain the brake piston.
This resulted to me
Taking my car in which costed me a great deal of cash.
With your help I realized I was just steps away from
Being done. That's okay!
I know now that I was on the right path thanks to your tutorial.
- john
Nice instructional! I used it today to redo the front brakes on my 2008 HHR. Thanks!
Very clear, detailed explanation of each step. Also, excellent use to camera angles and spotlighting the bolts. Great video
Awesome video tutorial. I'm not able to afford a mechanic to do this, so this is a life saver. Thanks for you efforts and for posting this!
I’m doing this same job in 15 degrees northern Michigan. 2nd off someone called you the bob Ross of cars and I think it’s awesome. Subbed.
Excellent quality, clear sound, thorough explanation. Great video. Thank you very much, friend!
I don't know how anybody could possibly give you a thumbs down on that video. I would give you 2 thumbs up for sure. I have watched this topic a few times to make sure I didn't miss anything and found it is "THE BEST" step by step instructional video for this job I have watched. Great job "Do Sumpthin'"
Excellent video. TIP: You can use the C-Clamp and compress the caliper piston prior to removing the caliper, this will not be awkward trying to compress the piston while the caliper is suspended.
Remember, when you go with ceramic pads, the heat allowance in the pads may exceed the heat allowance in the metal rotor, causing more wear on the rotor than the pads. When this happens, the HHR tends to develope a shimmy in the front end and steering wheel (warped rotors), and then you will have to replace the rotors before the pads. I have done this with my 2006 HHR over several brake replacements, so keep that in mind when going with ceramic pads. If you stick with metallic pads, the pads will wear before the rotors, which is commonly wanted so that you avoid the costs of always having to replace the rotors before the pads.
MrBossHoggAOL. I think I have this issue now. I just bought a hhr ss last week, when applying the brakes at a higher speed it starts to shake back and forth bad. I read the previous owners notes and seen he had a issues with rotors from auto zone the needed replaced in one year. He used ceramic pads both times. Now its my turn to get them right.
Tha ks
MrBossHoggAOL ,Thank you sir for your very helpful tip I am defiantly not buying ceramic pads thank you very much from me and my family and our wallets GOD bless you and your family Have a merry Christmas - Kris from Texas
I believe ceramic pads are OEM, so you are saying you know more than the Manufacturer, you must be a genius. I am replacing pads today, the old are original with 74,000 miles on the car (worn out). And before you wonder, they car is used in suburban type driving mostly, not much freeway. I have had no rotor issues. I will be replacing with ceramic (since that is how the car came from the factory). Using non-ceramic brake pads will result in you replacing your brake pads A LOT more often.
Most thorough and informative brake job video ever! Thanks!
Great video never changed brakes before but had no problems at all watching this video and making it happen thanks a lot
On the Cobalt make sure you use a torque wrench and make sure you use thread locker on the caliper bolts. If you don't they will most likely back out. The Cobalt has a warning for this. You can also buy new caliper bolts that come with thread locker supplied for $8 a set.
Excellent DIY video and very well explained in an even succinct fashion, well done.
Thank you for this video. As soon as it warms up outside my son and I are going to replace the brakes and rotors on my HHR
Great video, thanks for taking the time to show us the job in a very simple way, very well done!
Thank you!!! I now feel confident I can replace my own brakes and rotors :-)
You deserve more subs. Through, foresight, explained, and shown. Clear video quality, good sound balancing, no "umm Ahh errr"s. Subbed.
This is the best. Clear explanation, great presentation skills, the best!! Thank you very much for making this video.
👍 good advice. New Discs will arrive next wed. Looking forward to a smooth operation for my both left hands😂.
Hey wanted to thank you for such a great and helpful video! The easy step by step way to proceed was very helpful.
I am indeed a beginner to brakes. And needed this to be sure of my work. Thank you sir.
Boy what a great video. I only wish other would follow his example. I have the confidence to do this job
thanks so much for your efforts
The torque wrench I have only goes to 80 foot pounds... Is that okay even though you recommended 85? Also, you mentioned that the lugnuts should be tighter... How many foot pounds for those?
Thank you I just replaced my rotors with your help. 😊
Just did my brakes with this video. Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the great video! Thanks to you I changed brakes and rotors in less than an hour. Took longer to jack it up than it did to change everything!
Just wish you had a video on changing bearings, that is next project.
Excellent, step by step tutorial video . Thank you Sir . It helped a lot.
Great video. One thing that happened to me a few years ago; I was replacing the brakes on my 99 Buick Park Ave. And like you I would just push the piston in forcing the fluid back to the reservoir. After that I had problems with the ABS. After talking to a technician I know at the GM dealer, he told me to never push fluid back on cars with ABS. Any amount of contamination from the calipers will end up in the ABS unit. I had to flush my entire system to get it working again. Now I always open the bleeder when I push them back. And if you close it while fluid is still coming out you will not have to bleed the system.
This guy needs to flush his lines anyway. Did you see how dark the fluid was? New/good fluid is clear.
Yep you have to do that with abs and I’m surprised with a 2009 hhr didn’t have it ? It might be a ls model with 2.2
I love your video!!! So very detailed I feel confidence with doing my own brakes. You are awesome at providing instructions. Do you have a video for the rear brakes??? Thank you.
wow, thanks. I got it done. I had the laptop out in my garage, replaying portions. Thanks again
“Make sure these are as clean as they deserve to be.”
You’re like the Bob Ross of mechanics.
Man, you are a professional.Thank you for this video. The best ever, so detailed and precise.
i think that packet that comes with the kit is only to lube the hardware or pad ears that glid on the hardware and for the shims but i think you need a special silicone grease for the rod guides
Very thorough and helpful video, a big thank you along with a hat tip for taking the time to do this.
Sir, this was informative and straight forward, thank you and you got another subscriber!
One tip. I have seen numerous videos where a person puts a c clamp or other clamp directly on or inside the piston. Do take a flat bar or the old pad and press against it instead. It wont cock the piston by unequal pressure. Also, in some applications fiber/organic pistons have been used. If the piston does have a weak spot or thinner material the caliper piston can be chipped, cracked, or broken.
This video is so well made that I wonder the author may have a background in Instructional Design.
Thank You for putting together this great tutorial. It helped tremendously!
Great Video, ready to change my pads today! Very informative!!
This was a great beginning job for me, I was able to save $125.00! Definitely worth a comment. Stay positive bro!
EXCELLENT video, Well done my friend!!!
Very cool
Perfect tutorial! Thank you.
Great instructions. Got it done in an 1hr. Thank you
So, you didn't go to a shop and pay them 2hrs of labor, north of $150? Just got a quote, because I live in an apt. Welp, I'm doing it myself tomorrow right in the parking garage, because screw paying $300 for the job when I can get away with $95 in parts.
Great Video ! This is exactly what i was looking for. Thank you
excellent video, thanks for taking the time to show us.
Why did you stop posting? I enjoyed your videos. Very informative. 👍
Nice video what kind of tires you got on your hhr??
Great video. Gotta do this job today and you made it look easy.
Really great job. attention to details, editing , great
Thank you for the detailed video incase I have to change my own brakes. The only thing is I DON’T trust those hand jacks on the front end of cars as they tend to bend and fail. So I’m going to invest in a floor jack to do this type of job if need be. Thanks again.
Thanks for this video. just did my breaks and rotors.
..very nice presentation!
This is perfect for beginners like me thank you!
So not sure if you are on here still. Did you ever hear of the HHR having issues with break warping? Did you hear of any solutions? Thnaks
Thanks for your video . Very easy to follow!!
Thank you veeeeeeeeeeeery much i change my rotors and my pads thanks to you, keep going!!!
Can you make a video for rear brake drums?
Perfect tutorial, thanks for posting. 👍👍👍
Excellent video. Thanks for making.
great step by step. thanks for the video
Doing my son's hhr brakes after seeing this later today.
Great video ,explained step by step only thing I didn't see was you didn't show bleeding the brakes when completed.
Can the ball joints on these be replaced separately or does the whole control arm have to be changed?
good video but i would clean and remove the old grime and build up on those rods before applying fresh grease which should be silicone based so as not to damage the boots,i would also try to swab clean the holes where they go in as well,and why did you not lube the hardware pad guides rails where the pads slide on? you should also clean the outer rim of the piston between the boot to remove any debris that may make it back into the system before you push it back in and make sure the rubber boot edges remain on the outside of the rim once the piston is pushed back before you put the caliper on
Great comments, I agree with you. I would like the person who made this video respond to this comment to see if he has any reasons for not doing the steps you suggested. When he took the pads off near the beginning of the video it looked like uneven wear on the pads. Leaving out the things you mention could cause that.
@@tommak6516 ty
Excellent work
You're also the mastermind behind The Ammo Channel, yes?
Thank you very much for this awesome video.
Thank you so much brother for sharing your knowledge and taking your time out to help others out it is so selfless and I thank you for that and your help GOD and JESUS will bless you for your kindness GOD Bless from Texas- Kris
I noticed you didn't use any penetrating oil to help loosen the bolts. Is that a big "no-no" or was it just not needed?
you can use penetrating oil
Question: Dear DoSumpthin; When you finished installing the caliper; and i t is ready to press the brake , so the caliper piston goes and press the brakes pads; Do I need to start the engine?? or is it okay to press it with the engine off?? I heard different from other mechanics in my neighborhood!
I always start the engine for this.
Thanks, if I ever need to replace my pads or rotors I know where to look. :)
Nice detailed video
The clips on the wheel studs were put on at the factory, to keep the rotors from falling off while on the assembly line. They can be discarded.
Beautiful video explained .. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Very professional video! Hat is tipped
Excellent video, thank you!
Amazing video brother u saved me money 💰 wish I can buy u a drink
Excellent job Thanks
Great video! Done VERY well 🚘🚘