brake pads PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1996 Owners Manual

NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oi1,’in
your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
rep,laced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind
of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill
brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your Pontiac has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are worn
and
new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or
be heard all the time you vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
I A CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well.
That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle
serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
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Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Free movement of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but
if
you ever hear a rear brake, rubbing noise, have the rear
brake
linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing.
When you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected,
too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel.
This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality GM brake
parts in them, as your Pontiac does when it is.new.
When you replace parts of your braking system
-- for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
have to have new ones put in
-- be sure you get new
genuine GM replacement parts.
If you don’t, your
brakes may no longer work properly. For example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking performance
you’ve come to expect can change
in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Every new Pontiac has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one
of these. When it’s time
for
a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery’s label. : 1
Vehicle Storage . ..
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, take
off the black, negative (-) cable from
..I
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Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are iqspections and services which should
be performed at least twice
a year (for instance, each
spring and fall). You should let your GM dealer’s
service depkent or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs
are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a Pontiac service manual. See “Service and
Owner Publications” in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front- Wheel-Drive
Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system
for damaged, loose or missing parts,
signs of we&, or lack
of lubrication. Inspect the power steering hs d hoses
for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing,
etc.
Clean and then inspect the drive axle boot seals for
damage, tears or leakage. Replace seals if necessary.

..-
,-’; .. :-: : :I . -. :;Exhaust System Inspe,ction
3 ,.
.’Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near
the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged, missing or
out-of-position parts as well as open seams, holes, loose
_.
connections, or other conditions which could cause a heat
build-up
in the floor pan or could let exhaust fumes into
the vehicle.
See “Engine Exhaust’’ in the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle Wage for interference or binding, and
for damage or missing parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any cables that have high effort or excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses’ for proper hookup, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing,
etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear
and rotors for
surface condition.
Also inspect drum brake linings for
wear and cracks. Inspect other brake
pans, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check pvking brake adjustment. You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often if your cjriving habits
or conditions result in frequent braking.
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