how do you change front disc pads on a Saturn L200. What tools are needed?

Answer 1

Why don't you buy a service manual instead of asking for possibly the wrong answers.

Answer 2

This not hard. It is goood to get you a Repair Manual if you going to work on your car, they about $15. Jack up the front and place on jack stands to be safe, your head will be under the fender at times. I usually break the Lug Nuts loosen and then jack it up and finish removing the Tires. Look at the Brake Fluid Reservoir. You may want to loosen the filler cap and keep an eye on this, you will need to push the calipers back in for the new brakes to have room the go over the Rotor, as brakes wear the caliper comes further out. I not sure what Bolts a Saturn use, I did my Niece's but not remember. They either like a 1/2 inch, a Hex/Allen type or a Star driver. May look to see, just a small mirror, woman's Compact will work. OK, now here how I do this, have some Wire or Coat Hanger cut so you can hang the caliper once removed IF you need, you not want it to hang by the rubber hose, if you need to let it go to get a tool or the new pads. I take a flat head screwdriver and put between the pad and rotor to pry the pad all the way back. A Repair manual says to use a large C-Clamp to push the Caliper back, it the Pad on the inside/backside. The outer pad is stable and not push with a caliper. IF you use a screwdriver just use a consistent pressure and not rush this and break something, watch the Fluid Level in your Reservoir. If, you need to remove some fluid I use a Hypodermic Needle, Remove the needle and use the plunger, I got one for Cows at a Farm Supply. Once the pad all the way back, remove the 2 bolts. IF, you use the C-Clamp then remove the bolts and caliper and then use the C-Clamp. Watch the Fluid Level!! LOOK at the pads and be sure you know which goes where before you just take them off. One pad may be different from the other. Replace everything, check the fluid level and pump the brakes until they tighten up. DO NOT start the car and start moving before you pump the brakes, you may find you not stop as the pedal go to the floor taking up slack for the pads to adjust.

Answer 3

I'm guessing that the pads are on disk brakes. I usually use a large clamp to de-compress the brake. You will probably need to use a hex wrench of some sort to remove the pad, then put on the new one. Some pads have tabs that need to be hammered into place, so that may be needed. Also, your brakes might need to be bled. I wont go into details on that because if you don't know how, its better to get a pro to do it.