How to Replace the Saab 9-3 Front Brake Pads

Saab is a Swedish company that makes aircraft as well as automobiles. The first Saab car was produced in the late 1940s, and Saabs are still rolling off assembly lines as of 2010. The Saab 9-3 was introduced in 1998 and came standard with a four-cylinder engine. Saab has used front disc brakes since initial production. The brake pads in a 9-3 can be replaced in about one or two hours.

Difficulty: ModerateInstructionsThings You'll Need:

Hydraulic jack
Jack stands
Lug wrench
Flat-blade screwdriver
Adjustable wrench
"C" clamp
Brake pads
Torque wrench

Step 1
Raise the front of the Saab 9-3 with a hydraulic jack, and place jack stands under the front frame rails. Lower the hydraulic jack so car's front end is supported by the jack stands and the wheels are off the ground.
Step 2
Use a lug wrench to remove the lugs nuts on both front wheels. Remove the wheels from the hubs, and set them and the lug nuts aside.
Step 3
Remove the wire clip on the front brake caliper by prying it off with a flat-blade screwdriver. Remove the rubber dust covers from the ends of the two caliper holding bolts by prying them off. Remove the two bolts with an adjustable wrench.
Step 4
Lift the caliper from the brake rotor, slide the two brake pads out by hand, and discard them. Compress the piston back into the body of the caliper by placing a "C" clamp over the end of the piston. Turn the handle of the clamp in a clockwise direction until the piston is fully retracted into the caliper. Remove the clamp by turning the handle in the other direction.
Step 5
Slide two new brake pads into the caliper, then slide the caliper back over the brake rotor, lining up the two bolt holes in the caliper with the mounting holes in the spindle. Replace the two bolts, and tighten them with an adjustable wrench. Use a torque wrench on the bolts to tighten them to 21 pounds/feet. Press the rubber dust covers back over the ends of the bolts. Press the wire clip back onto the caliper until it snaps into place.
Step 6
Repeat the above procedure for the other front wheel.
Step 7
Place the front wheels back onto the hubs, and tighten the lug nuts with a torque wrench to 81 pounds/feet. Raise the front of the car with a hydraulic jack, and remove the jack stands. Lower the hydraulic jack, and remove it from under the car.