🔧 Sierra 1500 - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads and rotors involves lifting and supporting the rear axle, removing the rear calipers/brackets, swapping rotors, and installing new pads with proper lubrication and torque. On your Sierra, the parking brake is typically a small “drum brake” inside the rear rotor (called drum-in-hat), so we also inspect/clean that area while the rotor is off.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.0–3.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the truck with jack stands under the axle; never rely on a floor jack.
• 🛑 Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks so the truck can’t roll.
• 🛑 Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed; the piston can pop out and leak.
• 🛑 Brake dust is harmful—wear a dust mask and use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• 🛑 Keep the parking brake released when removing the rotors.

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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 socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (30–200 ft-lbs range)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Socket set (10mm–21mm)
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Line wrench 10mm
• Large C-clamp (6" minimum)
• Brake caliper hanger hook (specialty)
• Dead-blow hammer
• Wire brush
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Brake cleaner spray
• Drip pan
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

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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
• Rear brake hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant (silicone/ceramic) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 quart

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to PARK, and release the parking brake.
• Chock both front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Pop the hood and remove the brake master cylinder cap (set it loosely on top). This helps the pistons retract.
• Quick questions so I can give you exact torque specs and exact bolt sizes:
  • Is your Sierra the 2007 “Classic” body style or the 2007 “New Body” style?
  • Do you want to service/adjust the parking brake shoes while the rotors are off, or pads/rotors only?

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen lug nuts and lift the rear

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear lug nuts about 1/2 turn.
• Lift the rear axle with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Set the axle onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) and keep the jack lightly supporting the axle.
• Remove the wheels with a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Access the rear caliper and check the brake hose

• Turn the steering wheel is not applicable—just position yourself for access.
• Inspect the rubber brake hose for cracks or wetness (leaks). Use safety glasses and a flashlight if you have one.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper (do NOT let it hang)

• Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts using a 13mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it from the suspension using a brake caliper hanger hook (specialty).
• Tip: Hanging the caliper protects the brake hose.

Step 4: Remove pads and caliper bracket

• Slide the old pads out of the bracket by hand (use a flat blade screwdriver if stuck).
• Remove the caliper bracket bolts using an 18mm socket and 1/2" drive breaker bar.
• PAUSE HERE: Bracket bolt torque differs between 2007 Classic and 2007 New Body. Reply with the 2 answers above and I’ll give you the exact torque specs and continue with the remaining steps (rotor removal, parking brake “drum-in-hat” cleaning/adjustment, rotor install, caliper piston compression, final torques, and bed-in procedure).

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✅ After Repair

• When complete, torque wheels using a torque wrench to Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).
• Pump the brake pedal slowly until it feels firm before driving.
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• Do a cautious test drive and verify no grinding, pulling, or warning lights.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450–$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $160–$450 (parts only)

You Save: $290–$450 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?

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.