🔧 Rear Brake Pads and Rotors - Replacement

Your rear brake pads and rotors wear together, so replacing both at the same time restores stopping power and helps prevent noise or vibration. On your Silverado, the rear caliper setup also requires the parking brake to be handled carefully so the rotor can come off cleanly.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level 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 rotor may be held by the parking brake shoes. Make sure the parking brake is fully released before removal.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• If your truck has ABS wiring clipped to the axle or frame nearby, avoid pulling on the harness.
• Battery disconnect is not 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
• Lug wrench or 22mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp or brake caliper piston tool
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Rubber mallet
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake caliper hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - 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.
• After lifting, support the axle or frame securely with jack stands.
• Release the parking brake before removing the rear rotors.

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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 lug wrench or 22mm socket to loosen both rear wheel lug nuts slightly.
• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support it with jack stands.
• Remove the rear wheels.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

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

Step 3: Remove the old pads and caliper bracket

• Remove the brake pads from the bracket.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Take the bracket off the knuckle.

Step 4: Remove the rotor

• Make sure the parking brake is fully released.
• If the rotor is stuck, use a rubber mallet to tap the rotor hat area.
• If needed, use a flat blade screwdriver through the access hole to back off the parking brake adjuster slightly.
• Remove the rotor from the hub.

Step 5: Clean and inspect the mounting surface

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the hub and bracket area with brake cleaner.
• A clean hub helps prevent rotor wobble.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove protective oil.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper bracket and pads

• Install the caliper bracket using a 13mm socket.
• Torque to 129 Nm (95 ft-lbs).
• Install the new pads and any new clips from the hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the pad contact points and slide areas only.

Step 8: Compress the caliper piston and reinstall the caliper

• Use a C-clamp or brake caliper piston tool to compress the piston fully.
• Slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide bolts with an 18mm socket.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the wheels

• Install both rear wheels.
• Snug the lug nuts with a lug wrench or 22mm socket.
• Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs) in a star pattern.

Step 10: Pump the brake pedal

• Before moving the truck, pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder and top off if needed.

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✅ After Repair

• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking noises.
• Check for fluid leaks at both rear calipers.
• New pads and rotors need a short break-in period; avoid hard stops for the first 200 miles if possible.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $150-$320 (parts only)

You Save: $300-$530 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.