🔧 Rear Brake Pads & Rotors - Replacement

Rear brake pads and rotors on your Silverado are a straightforward service, but the rear parking brake hardware and caliper slide pins need attention during reassembly. Take your time cleaning the bracket and making sure the pads move freely before putting everything back together.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 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.
• The rear brakes may be hot if the truck was recently driven.
• Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• The parking brake is inside the rear rotor hat; make sure it is fully released before removing the rotors.
• 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
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• 21mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm wrench
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Catch pan
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1 set
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1 set
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the transmission in Park, and set the parking brake.
• Before removing the rear wheels, release the parking brake.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• If the rear rotor will not come off, the parking brake shoes may need adjustment through the access slot or rotor removal may require tapping around the hat with a dead-blow hammer.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen and lift

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear lug nuts about one turn each.
• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of the truck.
• Place the truck securely on jack stands under the frame.
• Remove the rear wheels with the 21mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 13mm socket to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or caliper hanger. Do not let it dangle by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 15mm wrench and 15mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the axle housing.
• Torque on reassembly: Torque to 129 Nm (95 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, tap between the studs with a flat blade screwdriver or small hammer.
• If the rotor will not clear, confirm the parking brake is fully released.
• Tap evenly to avoid warping.

Step 5: Clean and inspect

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the hub and bracket with brake cleaner.
• Inspect the slide pins, boots, pad clips, and parking brake shoes inside the rotor hat.
• Replace any damaged hardware before assembly.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Install the new rotor onto the clean hub.
• If needed, hold it in place with a lug nut hand-tight.
• Make sure it sits flush with no rust trapped behind it.

Step 7: Install pads and bracket

• Install the new pad hardware in the bracket if included.
• Apply a thin film of brake grease to the pad contact points and slide pin surfaces.
• Reinstall the caliper bracket using the 15mm wrench and 15mm socket.
• Torque to 129 Nm (95 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Compress and reinstall the caliper

• Use a C-clamp to compress the rear caliper piston slowly.
• Place the old pad against the piston to protect it while compressing.
• Install the new pads and slide the caliper over them.
• Reinstall the guide pin bolts with the 13mm socket.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).
• Compress the piston slowly and evenly.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels

• Install the wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the truck to the ground.
• Use the 21mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Set the brakes

• Before moving the truck, pump the brake pedal slowly until it feels firm.
• Apply and release the parking brake several times.
• Check each rear wheel for free movement and verify there are no leaks or rubbing noises.

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✅ After Repair

• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• Listen for scraping or clicking that could indicate loose hardware.
• Recheck lug nut torque after a short drive.
• For new pads and rotors, avoid hard stops for the first 200 miles if possible.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $150-$300 (parts only)

You Save: $300-$500 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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