🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Replacement

Your rear brake pads wear down over time and need to be replaced in pairs to keep braking balanced. On your Sierra, this job is straightforward if the caliper slides freely and the piston is compressed correctly before the new pads go in.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Use jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Do not use compressed air to clean the brakes.
• If your truck has an electronic parking brake, retract it before opening the caliper. If it has a manual parking brake, make sure it is fully released.
• Brake fluid may rise in the reservoir when the caliper piston is pushed back. Keep the cap loose and watch the fluid level.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for truck weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 14mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord or mechanic’s wire
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1 pair
• Brake caliper hardware kit - Qty: 1 set
• Brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can
• Wear sensor, if equipped - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake only if it will not be needed for caliper removal. If the rear wheels must turn freely, release it first.
• Put the transmission in Park.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts before lifting the truck.
• If your Sierra has an electronic parking brake, place it in service mode before starting.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen and lift the rear

• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear lug nuts one turn each.
• Raise the rear of the truck with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Support the truck with jack stands (rated for truck weight) under the frame.
• Remove the rear wheels.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or mechanic’s wire. Do not let it hang by the brake hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the old brake pads out of the bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and hardware.
• Use a wire brush to clean the bracket where the clips sit.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner and let it dry.

Step 4: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to push the piston back into the caliper.
• Go slowly and keep an eye on the brake fluid reservoir.
• Stop if resistance feels abnormal.

Step 5: Install the new pads and hardware

• Install the new pad clips from the brake caliper hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points and caliper slides. Do not get grease on the pad friction material.
• Install the new rear brake pads in the bracket.

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the guide pin bolts with a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the truck with the floor jack.
• Use a 19mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the pads on the opposite rear wheel the same way.
• Always replace brake pads in pairs.

---

✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Start the truck and test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• Listen for rubbing or grinding sounds.
• For the first 200 miles, make several medium stops to help the pads bed in.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$310 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

---

🎯 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.