| Rear brakes are a trouble spot on cars driven under harsh winter conditions
and road salt. The rear brakes have fixed calipers, with dual pistons
and pads sliding on pins and held in place with a spring (clip). Calipers,
brake lines, and handbrake parts often rust and seize, brake pads wear
unevenly when caliper pistons stop working, or when pad backing plates
start to bind inside the caliper due to rust and brake dust buildup.
Rear Brake Pads
Brake pads are accessible with the
wheel off without removing the brake caliper. Parts needed when replacing
the pads may include a kit with pins and springs and a packet of brake
grease. |
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| Removal |
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Pins and Springs
Pins are driven out using a punch. The spring will come loose
after the first pin is removed. Pins and springs can usually be cleaned
and reused, but the pin has to be smooth to allow the pad to slide along
the pin. When they become corroded as shown on the left, they should be
replaced with a new kit.
The Saab OEM springs are better fit and quality than the most popular
aftermarket kit made by Scantech. |
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Brake Pads
Pads can be removed using pliers or a pad removal tool. Minimum
pad thickness is 5 mm, (not including the backing plate). The pads
may stick on a ridge built up on the rotor due to wear, or because rust
and brake dust collects inside the caliper, and may have to be pushed side-to-side
before they come loose. The caliper cavity can be cleaned out with
a wire brush once the pads are out. |
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Caliper Pistons
The pistons have to be pushed into the caliper to make room for the
new pads. According to the Haynes manual, the orientation of a cutout
in the piston should be checked, and if necessary rotated toward the bottom,
so moisture can drain out properly. |
| Replacement |
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Pads
Apply some brake grease to the back of the pads and insert them into
the caliper. Insert the top pin as far as it will go by hand, then
tap it in the rest of the way using a hammer.
Spring
Hook the spring clip under the top pin, then insert the lower pin while
pushing the spring down. Do not bend or force the spring. The
lower pin should fit into a u-shaped hollow in the clip easily. Tap
the lower pin in place. Apply dabs of brake grease to the pins where
they meet the pad backing plates. |
Pad Thickness
10 mm (new)
5 mm (minimum) |
Tools
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1/8-inch punch
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Pliers or pad extraction tool
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Wire brush
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Brake cleaner
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Brake grease
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References
Saab EPC 5-0150
Haynes Ch 9, section 5 |
NOTE
Brakes are larger on '97 and later models, and have different part
numbers for pads, rotors, and the kit with pins and springs. |
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