You were told or can tell the front brake pads are low on your Suzuki Grand Vitara. The brake pads are affordable enough, but the estimate for labor to replace them from the dealership or repair shop is shocking. If you have some tools and have tinkered around the garage before, why not consider replacing the pads yourself?
Park the Grand Vitara on a flat, level paved or concrete surface. Apply the parking brake and release the hood latch.
Place a wheel chock behind one of the rear tires.
Open the hood and suck out half of the brake fluid from the master cylinder using the turkey baster. Discard the fluid properly.
Break the lug nuts loose on the left front tire using the 1/2 inch breaking bar and socket.
Lift the left front quarter of the Vitara and place a jack stand under the front left frame rail. Lower the floor jack and support the Vitara on the jack stand.
Remove the lug nuts and tire.
Remove the caliper bolts using a ratchet and socket. Hang the caliper onto the frame or spring using a bungee cord. Do not allow the caliper to hang from the brake hose.
Pry the old pads from the caliper anchor. Take note if wear sensor tabs are present and in what position they are located so you may reinstall the new pads in the same position.
Remove the caliper anchor. Use the wire brush to clean off the clip hardware on the caliper anchor that the pads sit against. Take your time and clean this as thoroughly as possible. Apply a liberal amount of silicone brake lubricant to the hardware.
Replace the caliper anchor and tighten thoroughly.
Place the new pads into the anchor.
Compress the piston of the caliper in using a C-clamp.
Clean the caliper bolts with the wire brush and add some silicone brake lubricant to the smooth areas of the bolts. Insert the bolts into the caliper and tighten properly.
Replace the wheel and lug nuts and tighten the lug nuts as tight as you can get them with the tire elevated.
Lower the vehicle and retighten the lug nuts using the adjustable torque wrench and a socket.
Repeat the procedure for the right side.
Pump the foot pedal 5 or 6 times until the hydraulic pressure is restored to the front caliper pistons and the foot brake pedal feels normal. Check and adjust the brake fluid in the master cylinder, but only add new DOT-approved brake fluid.
Remove the wheel chock, release the parking brake and test drive.
