1. Park your car on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel that is next to the brake caliper you want to open. Do not remove the lug nuts completely.
3. Jack up the car and support it on jack stands. Make sure the car is stable before proceeding.
4. Remove the lug nuts and take off the wheel.
5. Locate the brake caliper. It is the metal housing that surrounds the brake rotor.
6. On the back of the caliper, you will see two bolts that hold the caliper in place. Use a wrench to loosen these bolts.
7. Once the bolts are loosened, you can swing the caliper up and out of the way. This will expose the brake pads.
8. To remove the brake pads, simply pull them out of the caliper. They may be held in place by a small clip.
9. Inspect the brake pads for wear. If they are worn down to the metal backing, they need to be replaced.
10. If you are replacing the brake pads, slide the new pads into the caliper. Make sure they are seated properly.
11. Swing the caliper back down and reinstall the bolts. Tighten the bolts until they are snug.
12. Reinstall the wheel and lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts until they are snug.
13. Lower the car from the jack stands.
14. Test the brakes before driving.
Here are some additional tips for opening the brake caliper on a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier:
* If the brake caliper is rusty, you may need to use a penetrating oil to loosen the bolts.
* If the bolts are difficult to reach, you may need to use an extension or a breaker bar.
* Be careful not to damage the brake rotor when you are removing the brake pads.
* If you are not comfortable performing this repair, you can take your car to a qualified mechanic.
