2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner's Manual - Page 349

Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in the proper sequence to GM torque 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 immediately. 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 brake pads replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too. Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-15. Replacing Brake System Parts The braking system on a vehicleis complex. Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-qualityGM brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking system -for example, whenyour brake linings wear down you and need new ones put in - be sure you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you don't, your brakes may no longer work properly. For example,if someone putsin 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 expect to can change in many other waysif someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts. 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. 5-42