🔧 Rear Brake Pads & Rotors - Replacement

Your rear brakes use a caliper, pads, and rotor on each side. Replacing the pads and rotors together gives you even braking, quieter operation, and better pedal feel. On your Silverado, the rear caliper must be removed carefully so the parking brake hardware is not disturbed.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Use jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Brake dust may be present; wear a mask if you disturb old parts and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Support each caliper with a hanger or wire so the brake hose is not stretched.
• 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 for truck weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 15mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Brake caliper hanger wire
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile 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 - Qty: 2
• Brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake before lifting.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before raising the truck.
• Place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• If your truck has the parking brake set fully and the rear wheels will not turn freely after service, recheck the parking brake release before driving.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen and lift the rear of the truck

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear lug nuts 1/2 turn.
• Lift the rear axle with a floor jack and place the truck securely on jack stands.
• Remove both rear wheels with the 21mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use an 18mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with caliper hanger wire or a bungee cord.
• Do not let the hose carry the weight.

Step 3: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 21mm socket to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket and set it aside.
• Torque on installation: tighten the caliper bracket bolts to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, use a flat-blade screwdriver through the access hole to back off the parking brake adjuster slightly if needed, then tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and brake cleaner.
• A clean hub helps prevent rotor wobble.

Step 5: Install the new rotor

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove protective oil.
• Install the new rotor onto the hub.
• If equipped, hold it in place with a lug nut hand-tightened briefly.

Step 6: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp to slowly compress the rear caliper piston.
• Watch the brake fluid level in the master cylinder so it does not overflow.
• Compress slowly and evenly.

Step 7: Install the new pads and bracket

• Apply a light coat of brake grease to the pad contact points on the bracket.
• Install the new brake hardware if included.
• Place the new pads into the bracket and reinstall the bracket over the rotor.
• Use an 21mm socket to tighten the bracket bolts to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Use an 18mm socket to install the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).
• Make sure the caliper moves freely on the slide pins.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and lower the truck

• Install both rear wheels and snug the lug nuts with a 21mm socket.
• Lower the truck with the floor jack.
• Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times before moving the truck.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed with the correct fluid.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• Listen for noise and recheck lug nut torque after a short drive.
• New pads and rotors need a short break-in period for best results.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

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

You Save: $270-$500 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.