🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Replacement

Your rear brake pads wear down from normal use and should be replaced when they get thin, noisy, or start causing longer stopping distances. On your Equinox, the rear brakes use a caliper and bracket setup, so the job involves removing the wheel, compressing the caliper piston, and swapping the pads with fresh hardware if needed.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on level ground and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Use jack stands; never rely on the floor jack alone.
• If your Equinox is equipped with an electronic parking brake, switch it to service mode before compressing the rear caliper piston.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Brake dust can be harmful; avoid blowing it off with compressed air.
• If the rear brakes are hot, let them cool fully before starting.

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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 vehicle weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug wrench
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses
• Torque bit set

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface and set the parking brake only if it is not needed for service mode.
• Place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• If equipped with an electronic parking brake, put it in service mode before removing the rear caliper.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen and lift the rear of the vehicle

• Use a 21mm lug wrench to loosen the rear lug nuts one turn before lifting.
• Raise the rear of the Equinox with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Support it securely with jack stands (rated for vehicle weight).

Step 2: Remove the wheel

• Remove the lug nuts with the 21mm lug wrench.
• Take off the wheel and set it aside flat and out of the work area.

Step 3: Access the rear brake caliper

• Inspect the caliper, bracket, and rotor for damage or heavy rust.
• Use a wire brush to clean loose rust from the caliper bracket area.
• Keep the pad clips clean and smooth.

Step 4: Remove the caliper

• Use a 15mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a hook or safe resting place.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 5: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Slide the old brake pads out of the bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and spring hardware from the bracket.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver if needed to gently pry stuck hardware free.

Step 6: Compress the caliper piston

• If your Equinox has an electronic parking brake, make sure it is in service mode before this step.
• Use a caliper piston compressor tool (specialty) to push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Move slowly and keep an eye on the brake fluid level in the master cylinder.
• Push straight and steady.

Step 7: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips and hardware from the rear brake hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points and slide areas.
• Install the new rear brake pads into the bracket.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Use a 15mm socket to reinstall the slide bolts.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-start the lug nuts.
• Use the 21mm lug wrench to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Lower the vehicle, then torque the lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Restore brake pedal feel

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times with the engine off.
• Keep pressing until the pedal feels firm.
• This seats the pads against the rotor.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Spin the wheel by hand to confirm it turns without heavy drag.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area before normal driving.
• If equipped with an electronic parking brake, exit service mode and verify normal parking brake operation.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops when possible to help the pads bed in.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $70-$160 (parts only)

You Save: $180-$290 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 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.