🔧 Rear Brake Pads and Rotors - Replacement

Your rear pads and rotors wear together, so replacing both at the same time gives the best pedal feel and braking performance. On your Silverado, the rear caliper and bracket must come off before the rotor can be removed, and the new pads need a proper break-in after install.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Park on a level surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Use jack stands; never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a rear caliper removed.
• Support the caliper with a hanger or bungee cord so the brake hose is not stretched.
• If the parking brake is applied, release it before removing the rear rotor.
• Wear safety glasses and brake dust mask if available; brake dust can irritate skin and lungs.

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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 lug wrench or socket
• Ratchet
• 7mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Brake caliper compressor tool (specialty)
• Brake parts hanger
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Rubber mallet
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• High-temperature brake grease
• 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 hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• High-temperature brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake only if you are not removing the rotor yet; release it before rotor removal if needed.
• Put the transmission in Park and chock the front wheels.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• Raise the rear and support both sides with jack stands.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the rear wheels

• Use the 21mm lug wrench or socket to loosen and remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them aside.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 7mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a brake parts hanger.
• Do not let the hose hang.

Step 3: Remove the brake pads

• Remove the inner and outer pads from the bracket.
• Note how the pads and clips sit so you can install the new hardware the same way.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use an 18mm socket to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the axle flange.
• Torque on install: 200 Nm (148 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, spray penetrating edge area with brake cleaner and tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet.
• If the parking brake shoes are dragging, back off the parking brake adjustment as needed.

Step 6: Clean and prep the mounting surfaces

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face and bracket contact points.
• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove packing oil.
• Apply a thin film of high-temperature brake grease to the pad contact points only.
• Keep grease off the rotor face.

Step 7: Install the new rotor and bracket

• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• Reinstall the caliper bracket with the 18mm socket.
• Torque to 200 Nm (148 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Install the new pads

• Install the new hardware clips from the brake hardware kit.
• Place the new pads in the bracket.
• If the caliper piston is not fully seated, use the brake caliper compressor tool (specialty) to compress it straight back in.
• Compress slowly and evenly.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper

• Set the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts with the 7mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall the wheels

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

Step 11: Pump the brake pedal

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

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✅ After Repair

• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area first.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking noises.
• Make sure the pedal feels firm and the truck stops straight.
• Perform a gentle break-in for the new pads and rotors with several moderate stops, then let them cool.

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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 2-3 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.