🔧 Front Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

Your front brake pads and rotors wear together, so replacing both at the same time gives you the best pedal feel and stopping power. On your Sierra, this job is straightforward if you take your time and keep everything clean.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the rear wheels before lifting the truck.
• Use jack stands under the frame. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Brake parts may be hot if the truck was recently driven.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Keep grease and oil off the rotor and pad friction surfaces.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for truck weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug wrench or socket
• 18mm socket
• 15mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Caliper hanger hook or bungee cord
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake rotor - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• Break the front lug nuts loose before raising the truck.
• Keep the brake hose relaxed.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the wheel

• Use a 21mm lug wrench or socket to loosen the front lug nuts before lifting.
• Raise the front of the truck with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support it with jack stands (rated for truck weight).
• Remove the lug nuts and wheel.

Step 2: Remove the brake caliper

• Use a 15mm socket to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a caliper hanger hook or bungee cord. Do not let it hang by the hose.
• Torque for caliper guide pin bolts: 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs) on reassembly.

Step 3: Remove the caliper bracket and rotor

• Use an 18mm socket and breaker bar to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Pull the rotor off the hub. If it is stuck, tap it gently from the back with a hammer or use a flat blade screwdriver through the access hole.
• Torque for caliper bracket bolts: 133 Nm (98 ft-lbs) on reassembly.
• Rust on the hub causes rotor wobble.

Step 4: Clean the hub and prep the new rotor

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and debris from the hub face.
• Spray the hub and new rotor with brake cleaner to remove oil and dust.
• Install the new rotor onto the hub.

Step 5: Install the caliper bracket and new pads

• Reinstall the caliper bracket using an 18mm socket.
• Torque to 133 Nm (98 ft-lbs).
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the slide pins if they are being serviced.
• Install the new brake hardware kit in the bracket if included.
• Place the new pads in the bracket.

Step 6: Compress the caliper piston and reinstall the caliper

• Use a C-clamp to slowly push the caliper piston all the way back in.
• Make sure the old pads or a flat block of wood are used to protect the piston face.
• Slide the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Install the guide pin bolts with a 15mm socket.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the truck and use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque the lug nuts to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the pads and rotor on the opposite side the same way.
• Always replace brakes in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the truck. The pedal will feel low at first.
• Check brake fluid level in the master cylinder and top off only if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• Listen for rubbing, clicking, or grinding.
• For new pads and rotors, do a break-in procedure with several moderate stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.