🔧 Front Brake Pads - Replacement

Replacing the front brake pads on your Silverado restores stopping power and helps prevent rotor damage. This job is straightforward if you take your time and keep everything clean.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the truck with jack stands; never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Let the brakes cool before starting. Brake parts can be very hot.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Keep grease and brake fluid off the pads and rotor surface.
• No battery disconnect is required for this front brake pad job.
• If your truck has a brake pad wear sensor, do not damage it during removal.

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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 lug wrench or socket
• 19mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Small pry bar
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Bungee cord or mechanic’s hook
• Gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface and set the parking brake.
• Put the transmission in Park.
• Chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly before raising the truck.
• Work on one side at a time.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the front wheels

• Use a 21mm lug wrench or socket to loosen the front lug nuts 1/2 turn while the truck is still on the ground.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.

Step 2: Raise and support the front of the truck

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of the truck at the proper frame lift point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the frame and lower the truck onto them.
• Remove the front wheel with the 21mm lug wrench or socket.

Step 3: Remove the brake caliper

• Use a 19mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket carefully.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or mechanic’s hook. Do not let it hang by the hose.
• Keep the hose relaxed.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Slide the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and hardware from the bracket.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust and debris from the pad lands on the bracket.

Step 5: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp to slowly compress the caliper piston fully into the bore.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston. If it gets too full, remove a small amount of fluid.
• Compress slowly and evenly.

Step 6: Install the new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad hardware from the brake pad hardware kit onto the caliper bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points and slide surfaces only. Do not get grease on friction material.
• Install the new brake pads into the bracket.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the guide pin bolts by hand first, then tighten with the 19mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the wheel

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

Step 9: Repeat on the other side

• Repeat the same steps on the opposite front wheel.
• Replace pads in pairs so braking stays even.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times before moving the truck. This seats the caliper pistons against the new pads.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Start with a careful test drive at low speed.
• Listen for rubbing, grinding, or clunks.
• Bed in the new pads with a few moderate stops from low speed. Avoid hard braking for the first drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $80-$160 (parts only)

You Save: $170-$290 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1-2 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.