2012 Chevrolet Malibu Brake Pad Replacement
Complete guide to 2012 Chevrolet Malibu brake pad replacement. Cost estimates, difficulty level, time required, and environmental impact.
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💰 Cost Breakdown
💡 Tip: Costs vary by location and repair shop. Authorized service centers typically charge more than independent repair shops.
🔧 Repair Overview
Brake Pad Replacement is one of the most common repairs for 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. This repair involves replacing the damaged brakes component with a new or refurbished part. The process typically takes 1-2 hours and requires moderate skill level.
What You'll Need
- Replacement brakes part (OEM or aftermarket)
- Precision screwdriver set (Phillips #000 or pentalobe)
- Opening tools (plastic spudger, suction cup)
- Adhesive strips or glue
- Clean workspace with good lighting
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1:
If using the car's emergency scissor-jack, identify the designated placement locations for this specific jack.
The jack needs to be placed behind the front tire in one of the two slots indicated by the red markers.
The slots are one foot behind each front tire, and 8-10 inches inward from the outer edge of the car.
While on flat ground, put the jack in the slot closest to the front.
Step 2:
'''Do not go under the car unless the car is support by a jack stand. '''
Put a block in front of one of the rear tires and another block behind the same rear tire. This prevents the car from rolling in either direction while the front is jacked up.
To operate the jack stand, turn clockwise to lift up and turn counter clockwise to low down.
Step 3:
Loosen the plastic lug nuts, located on the hub-cap, with a 19mm socket.
When putting the hub-cap back onto the wheel, tighten the lugs until you feel firm resistance. Do not over tighten because the threads will strip.
Step 4:
Loosen and remove the five metal lug nuts with a 19mm socket.
Torque the metal lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs when putting the wheels back on the car.
Step 5:
Remove the wheel from the hub.
Step 6:
Loosen and remove the two bolts located on the backside of the caliper with a 12mm socket.
Torque the two bolts to 33 ft-lbs when putting the caliper back on the mounting bracket.
Remove the caliper from the mounting bracket.
Do not allow the caliper to hang freely. This will causes stretching or internal blocking of the brake line.
TIP: Using hang wire to hang the caliper on the spring mount to keep it out of the way.
Step 7:
Use a pry bar to remove the old brake pad from the bracket.
Use the same procedure for removing the pads on the other sides.
TIP: Using C-clamp to compress the caliper to refit the new brake pads
After removing the pads, you can check the rotor for irregular wear or damage. Run your finger across the face of the rotor to feel for grooves or chipping.
Step 8:
Pull the two caliper pins out of the mounting bracket by hand.
If needed, apply "Brake Lubricant" to the two caliper pins. This fights corrosion buildup and allows the pins to slide off more smoothly.
Before putting the new brake pads on, apply "Disc Brake Quiet" compound to the metal backing of the pads to keep them from squeaking.
📖 Repair guide provided by iFixit - The free repair manual. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.
iFixit Difficulty: Difficult | Time: NaNh NaNm
DIY vs Professional Repair
✋ DIY Repair
- ✅ Lower cost (parts only: $90-$180)
- ✅ Learn new skills
- ❌ Risk of further damage
- ❌ No warranty
- ❌ Requires tools and time
🔧 Professional Repair
- ✅ Expert installation
- ✅ Warranty included
- ✅ Faster turnaround
- ❌ Higher cost ($150-$300)
- ❌ Need to find reputable shop
Environmental Impact
By choosing to repair your 2012 Chevrolet Malibu instead of replacing it, you're preventing approximately 6095 kg of CO₂ emissions. Manufacturing a new 2012 Chevrolet Malibu generates 6100 kg of CO₂, while this repair only produces about 5 kg of CO₂. That's a 100% reduction in carbon emissions!
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