🔧 Rear Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

The rear brake pads and rotors on your Silverado can be replaced with basic hand tools and a little patience. Since this truck uses rear disc brakes, you’ll remove the caliper, bracket, and rotor, then install the new parts and torque everything properly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Support the truck with jack stands; never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Let the brakes cool before starting if the truck was driven recently.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Use brake cleaner and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• Release the parking brake before removing the rear rotors.
• Keep your fingers clear when compressing the caliper piston.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug wrench or socket
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Bungee cord
• Flat screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Shop towels
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake, then loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting.
• Chock the front wheels firmly.
• After the truck is safely raised, release the parking brake before removing the rotors.
• If the brake pedal feels soft after the job, do not drive until it firms up.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear of the truck

• Use the floor jack to raise the rear axle or frame.
• Place jack stands under the truck and lower it onto the stands.
• Remove the rear wheels with the 21mm lug wrench or socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use the 13mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the brake pads and bracket

• Pull the old pads out of the bracket.
• Use the 18mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the axle housing.

Step 4: Remove the rotor

• Release the parking brake if it is still set.
• Pull the rotor off by hand.
• If it is stuck, use a flat screwdriver through the access slot or tap the rotor hat area lightly with a hammer if needed.
• Rust can hold the rotor tight.

Step 5: Clean and prep the mounting surface

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and scale from the hub face.
• Spray the hub and bracket with brake cleaner and wipe with shop towels.
• Make sure the rotor sits flush on the hub.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• If needed, hold it in place with one lug nut hand-tight.
• Spin it by hand to confirm it sits flat and turns freely.

Step 7: Install the new pads and bracket

• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points on the bracket.
• Install the caliper bracket and tighten the bolts with the 18mm socket.
• Torque to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 8: Compress the caliper piston and reinstall the caliper

• Use the C-clamp to compress the caliper piston slowly until it is fully seated.
• Slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts with the 13mm socket.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).
• Go slow so the brake fluid does not overflow.

Step 9: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts with the 21mm lug wrench or socket.
• Lower the truck off the jack stands.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs) in a star pattern.

Step 10: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the pads and rotor on the opposite rear wheel using the same steps.
• Always replace brake parts in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the truck.
• Check brake fluid level in the master cylinder and top off if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• Listen for rubbing or grinding noises.
• Use a gentle break-in for the new pads and rotors: several medium stops without hard braking.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$800 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $270-$450 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 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.