When you apply the brakes in your Cadillac CTS, the brake pads are forced against the brake rotors, by hydraulic pressure. Each time you apply the brakes, some of the brake pad material wears away, against the harder, metal rotor. If the brakes in your CTS are beginning to feel spongy, weak or uneven, it's time to replace the pads. If your rotors are also worn, you have the option of buying new or having the old ones machined at an auto repair shop.
Loosen the lug nuts,, with a tire iron. Raise the vehicle with an automobile jack, and place it on jack stands. Remove the lug nuts, and remove the wheel.
Locate the caliper mounting bolts, on the inside of the caliper. Place an open-end wrench on the locking nut and a socket wrench on the retaining bolt. Turn the retaining bolt, counterclockwise, to remove it. There are two retaining bolts to be removed in this way: one at the top of the caliper and one at the bottom.
Pull the caliper up and off the mounting bracket and over the rotor. Slide the old brake pads out of the caliper. Suspend the caliper above the wheel hub assembly with a piece of wire to avoid stressing the rubber brake line.
Compress the caliper pistons into the caliper with a brake caliper tool. Turn the mechanism, until the pistons are fully retracted.
Check the rotors for wear. If they need to be replaced, untie the three bolts on the rotor surface with an Allen wrench. Pull the rotor off the hub. Clean the new rotor with brake parts cleaner, and slide it onto the hub. Replace the Allen bolts, and tighten them, evenly.
Clean the caliper with brake parts cleaner, and apply lithium grease to the brake pad sliders. Insert the new brake pads, and slide the caliper over the rotor and back onto the caliper mounting bracket.
Replace, and tighten, the locking nuts and mounting bolts and with an open-end wrench and socket wrench.
Replace the wheel, and hand tighten the lug nuts. Lower the car, and tighten the lug nuts with a tire iron. Pump the brakes with the engine off to restore pressure to the brake lines before driving.
