Part 5: Installing Front Rotors

We had not installed the new front rotors yet. After finishing the rear and taking it for a drive, the brakes were a little spongy. Most likely due to some air in the lines, but it made me dive into the front of the car again. On the front the rotors are riveted to the wheel hubs, something that I had not encountered yet. However, I think it is pretty standard on GM cars. I had to drill out the rivets on my drill press and then install the new rotors. while I was there I inspected and repacked the front wheel bearings.

Here is the rotor and hub assembly, the circles in between the wheel studs are the rivets.

Here is a video I shot of me drilling out all the rivets.

After drilling one out, the end of the rivet popped off and the rest could be pounded out with a punch and hammer.

The bearing races looked good, but were caked in old grease.

The front wheel spindles.

With all the rivets and rotor removed I was able to clean up the spindle.

Original rotors

Cleaned up spindles

The bearings looked good, so no need to replace them.

The dust cover and wheel bearings.

The bearings repacked with fresh grease and reassembled. 

New rotors on

Since everything was off, I painted the front calipers to match.