🔧 Traverse - Front Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

On your Traverse, replacing the front brake pads and rotors means removing the front wheels, taking the caliper and bracket off, swapping the rotor, then installing new pads and reassembling correctly. The only “gotcha” is that there are front brake hardware/torque differences depending on the front caliper package, so I want to confirm which one you have before I give exact torque specs.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the SUV with jack stands—never rely on a floor jack.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and mechanic gloves; brake dust is irritating.
• 🔥 Brakes get hot—let everything cool before starting.
• 🧱 Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose; support it with a hanger.
• 🧴 Avoid getting grease/oil on pad friction material or rotor faces.

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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
• Lug nut socket (GM) 22mm
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive (30–200 ft-lbs range)
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive (10–80 ft-lbs range)
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• Socket set metric (10mm–21mm)
• Hex bit socket set metric (specialty)
• C-clamp brake piston tool 6-inch
• Flat screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Bungee cord or mechanics wire
• Rubber mallet
• Micrometer or vernier caliper (specialty)
• Drip pan
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic 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 - Qty: 2
• Front brake pad hardware/clip kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper bracket bolts (if one-time-use on your caliper package) - Qty: 4
• Brake lubricant (silicone-based) - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 quart

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• 🔎 Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir. Do not remove the cap yet; just know where it is.
• ❓ Quick confirm so I give the correct torque specs and parts: is your front caliper single-piston (one round bulge) or dual-piston (two round bulges)? If you’re not sure, upload a clear photo of the front caliper through the wheel.
• ❓ Also confirm your wheel size: 20-inch or 18-inch (it’s usually stamped on the tire like 255/55R20).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front end

• Use a breaker bar 1/2-inch drive with a 22mm lug nut socket to crack the front lug nuts loose 1/2 turn (do not remove yet).
• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift at the proper front jacking point.
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) and gently shake-test for stability.
• Remove the lug nuts using the 22mm lug nut socket and remove the front wheels.

Step 2: Access the caliper and pads

• Turn the steering wheel to give yourself space (left for right side, right for left side).
• Use a flat screwdriver to carefully pry the caliper spring/retainer (if equipped). Keep your face out of the spring’s path.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use a ratchet 3/8-inch drive and the correct metric socket or hex bit socket set metric (specialty) to remove the caliper slide pin bolts (exact head type/size depends on your caliper package).
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Support the caliper using a bungee cord or mechanics wire so the hose is not stretched.
• Torque spec note: I’ll provide the exact slide-pin torque after you confirm single- vs dual-piston calipers.

Step 4: Remove pads and caliper bracket

• Remove the inner/outer pads from the bracket by hand.
• Use a breaker bar 1/2-inch drive with the correct metric socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket.
• Torque spec note: Bracket bolt torque differs by front brake package—will confirm once you answer the two questions above.

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• If there are rotor retaining screws (not always), remove them using the correct driver from your socket set metric (10mm–21mm) or bit as equipped.
• Pull the rotor straight off. If it’s stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet to break rust loose.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and spray with brake cleaner spray.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner spray and wipe clean (removes shipping oil).
• Install the new rotor onto the hub.

Step 7: Prep the bracket and install new hardware

• Clean the pad “lands” (where clips sit) with a wire brush.
• Install the new pad clips from the front brake pad hardware/clip kit.
• Apply a thin film of brake lubricant (silicone-based) where the pads slide on the clips (do not get any on rotor/pad friction faces).

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Position the bracket and start bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten using a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive.
• Torque to ___ Nm (___ ft-lbs) (I will fill this in once you confirm caliper package).

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Check the brake fluid reservoir level before compressing; fluid can rise.
• Use a C-clamp brake piston tool 6-inch to slowly push the caliper piston back in.
• Go slow to protect seals.

Step 10: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket by hand.
• Set the caliper over the new pads.
• Install slide pin bolts using a ratchet 3/8-inch drive and the correct socket or hex bit socket.
• Torque to ___ Nm (___ ft-lbs) (will confirm once you answer the two questions above).

Step 11: Reinstall wheels

• Install the wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the SUV off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Use a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive with a 22mm lug nut socket to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to ___ Nm (___ ft-lbs) (I’ll confirm confirm the correct lug torque for your wheel size once you reply).

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✅ After Repair

• 🦶 With the engine OFF, press the brake pedal slowly 10–15 times until it feels firm (seats the pads against the rotors).
• 🧴 Recheck brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 if needed (do not overfill).
• 👀 Check for leaks around the calipers and make sure the brake hose isn’t twisted.
• 🚗 Do a low-speed test in a safe area: gentle stops first, then normal stops.
• 🛑 If you hear grinding, a strong pull, or pedal goes soft: stop and recheck your work.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $600-$1,100 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $220-$550 (parts only)

You Save: $380-$550 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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