i just got oem replacement rotors 'cuz mine warped to high hell. how do you replace them? only need info for front. i also want to replace the pads at all 4 corners. can i get some help with that too. thanks all.

 

Take the wheel off and remove the caliper. Make sure you don't dangle the caliper by the brake line. Support it with a wire hanger. Pull the old rotor off and replace it with the new one. If you aren't certain how to do it, just pay someone. You don't want to mess around with something as important as brakes if you don't know what you're doing.

 

is the rotor just resting on the wheel lugs or is it attached to the hub?

 

The rotors are not physically attached to the hubs (the wheels hold them on) but they tend to get stuck. If you can't pull one of the rotors off with your hands, there is a threaded hole in each rotor between 2 of the lug nut holes. Find a spare 6mm x 1.25 thread bolt, stick it in this hole, then tighten it down until it pops the rotor off.

If you don't have a bunch of spare bolts lying around, most of the bolts on the car with 12mm heads are the right size. "Borrow" a 6mm bolt from a non-critical, easily reinstalled part.

 

With a fat new rotor and new pads, how does one push the caliper apart far enough to fit over the new rotor? Do I need to bleed some fluid off and is there a way to physically push the caliper open? Thanks for your advice!

 

Try a 3" or larger C-clamp. Make sure the brake fluid reservoir is about 1/2 empty before you push in the caliper pistons or it will overflow.

Also, general warning for pushing in caliper pistons on any vehicle- make sure the other brake caliper is either (a) installed on the rotor with the pads in place, or (b) blocked with a piece of wood. If you push in one piston with the other caliper just hanging open, the other piston will sometimes fly out

 

Excellent advice. You seem to know this stuff well. Thanks for warning about the fluid overflow and the opposite caliper issue.
Jim