Here you can find information regarding the assembly of the sonic's braking system. This information
will include the procedures to replace and repair certain main components within the system
as well as the corresponding torque specs for bolts involved in the parts. The listing of procedures will begin
with the most common and move inwards towards the inner parts of the brake system and
the least common repairs that are needed.
How to Change the front brakes
In order to change the front brakes on a Chevy Sonic you must first jack the vehicle up into the air and
remove the tire for the side that you want to change. Once the tire has been removed you
can see the brake rotor and the brake pads within the caliper. To install new brake pads you only have to remove
the brake caliper and swap out the pads. When reinstalling the brake caliper you must
torque the caliper bolts to 21 ft-lbs. If you need to remove
the calipers banjo bolt it will need to be tightened back up to 22 ft-lbs. If you need to change the brake rotor as well you must
take off the brake caliper bracket as well. During reinstalling the bracket needs to be tightened down to 74 ft-lbs.
Chevy Sonic Front Brake Caliper Torque Specs : 21 ft-lbs
Chevy Sonic Front Brake Caliper Bracket Torque Specs : 74 ft-lbs
Chevy Sonic Front Caliper Banjo Bolt Torque Specs : 22 ft-lbs
How to change the rear brakes
Depending on the year of your vehicle the rear brakes will either be disc brakes or a drum brake. If your car has drum brakes
you will need to change the drum pads and possible the drum itself during brake changes. To do this you must jack the vehicle up and
remove the rear tire. With the tire removed you can then pull the brake drum off the car. Most of the time the drum will be stuck in place
to remove it from being stuck you can tap it with a hammer or air hammer or use a pulling tool to remove it. Once you get it removed you can access the
drum pads and other componenets. Change all of the componenets with new ones and new pads and then reinstall the drum. If your car happens to have disc
brakes then you will need to follow the same steps up until removing the drum. Once the tire has been removed you
can see the brake rotor and the brake pads within the caliper. To install new brake pads you only have to remove
the brake caliper and swap out the pads. When reinstalling the brake caliper you must
torque the caliper bolts to 21 ft-lbs. If you need to remove
the calipers banjo bolt it will need to be tightened back up to 22 ft-lbs.
Chevy Sonic Rear Brake Caliper Torque Specs : 21 ft-lbs
