🔧 Front Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

This job replaces the front brake pads and front rotors on your Equinox. The front brake caliper, bracket, and rotor come off so the new parts can install cleanly and seat properly.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• Use jack stands. Never rely on the floor jack alone.
• The front brakes can be hot after driving. Let them cool first.
• Use brake cleaner only in a well-ventilated area. Do not breathe the dust.
• Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• Your Equinox has an electronic parking brake on the rear only, so no EPB service mode is needed for this front brake job.
• 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 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or brake caliper hanger
• C-clamp
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Bungee cord or caliper hook
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• 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 rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Put the transmission in Park.
• Chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly before lifting.
• Lift the front and support it with jack stands.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the front wheel

• Use the 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts if needed.
• Raise the front of the vehicle and support it with jack stands.
• Remove the lug nuts and take off the wheel.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use the 15mm socket to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or brake caliper hanger. Do not let it hang by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the brake pads and hardware

• Slide the brake pads out of the bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and hardware.
• Inspect the caliper slides for smooth movement.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use the 18mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Torque to 200 Nm (148 ft-lbs) during reassembly.

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, tap it gently from the back with a rubber mallet.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Clean hub = smoother rotor install.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove packing oil.
• Install the rotor on the hub.
• If the rotor has retaining screws, reinstall them if equipped.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Install the bracket over the rotor.
• Use the 18mm socket to install and tighten the bracket bolts.
• Torque to 200 Nm (148 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Install new pads and hardware

• Install the new pad clips and hardware.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points and slide surfaces.
• Install the new brake pads into the bracket.

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp to slowly push the caliper piston back into the bore.
• Make sure the brake fluid reservoir does not overflow.
• Go slow to avoid damaging seals.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads.
• Use the 15mm socket to install the guide pin bolts.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle to the ground.
• Use the 21mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the front pads and rotors in pairs.
• Repeat the same steps on the opposite side.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir.
• Make sure both front wheels spin freely and nothing is rubbing.
• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops unless needed for safety.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $160-$320 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$530 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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