🔧 Malibu - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Rear brake pad replacement can be straightforward on your Malibu, but the exact steps and torque specs depend on which rear brake setup you have (rear disc vs rear drum, and which caliper/bracket design). Once I know your setup, I’ll give you the exact step-by-step with the correct torque specs.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.0-2.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a jack.
• 🛑 Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks; your Malibu is FWD and the rear will be lifted.
• 🛑 Brake dust is hazardous—wear nitrile gloves and a dust mask.
• 🛑 If your parking brake uses shoes inside the rotor “hat,” do not press the parking brake while the rotor is off.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Lug nut socket (19mm)
• Breaker bar (1/2" drive)
• Torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range)
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• Socket set (metric, 10mm-18mm)
• Wrench set (metric, 10mm-18mm)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• C-clamp brake piston compressor
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord
• Brake cleaner spray
• 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 pad hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone brake grease) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the shifter in P, and release the parking brake.
• Crack the rear lug nuts loose using a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; do not overfill after compressing pistons.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Identify your rear brake type (needed for exact steps + torque specs)

• Remove one rear wheel using a 19mm socket and breaker bar after lifting and supporting the car with a floor jack and jack stands.
• Look at the brake assembly:
• If you see a caliper squeezing a rotor, you have rear disc brakes.
• If you see a closed round drum with no caliper, you have rear drum brakes.
• A caliper is the clamp that holds pads.

Step 2: Reply with the two details below

• Tell me: rear disc or rear drum.
• If rear disc: tell me whether there is a separate small cable going to the caliper lever (parking brake lever on caliper) or if the parking brake appears to be inside the rotor (drum-in-hat).

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✅ After Repair

• After pads are installed (once we proceed), you must pump the brake pedal until it feels firm before driving.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Do a slow test drive and verify no grinding, pulling, or warning lights.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $40-$120 (parts only)

You Save: $130-$410 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-2.0 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.