🔧 Camaro - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear pads means removing the rear calipers, swapping the pad set (and hardware), then resetting the caliper piston so everything fits correctly. On some Camaros, the rear calipers are tied to an electronic parking brake (EPB), which must be put into service mode before you push the pistons back.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the car on jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• 🔥 Brakes get extremely hot. Let everything cool before starting.
• 🧯 Avoid breathing brake dust. Use brake cleaner; don’t blow with compressed air.
• ⚡ If your Camaro has EPB (parking brake button), do not force the piston back until EPB is retracted/service mode is active.
• 🧤 Wear gloves and safety glasses.

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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
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 22mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs range)
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Flat trim tool
• C-clamp brake compressor or disc brake piston compressor tool
• Caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaner
• Scan tool with GM EPB Service Mode (specialty)

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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 (abutment clips) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, put the transmission in 1st gear, and chock the front wheels.
• 🚫 Make sure the parking brake is OFF before lifting the rear.
• ⚡ If your Camaro has a parking brake button (EPB): plan to use a scan tool to command EPB Service Mode before compressing rear pistons.
• 🧠 Quick check: does your Camaro have a parking brake button or a hand lever? (If you tell me, I’ll tailor the EPB step.)

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen rear wheel lug nuts

• Use a 22mm socket and 1/2" breaker bar to loosen (do not remove) the rear lug nuts.

Step 2: Lift and support the rear of the car

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift at the correct rear jacking point.
• Set the car down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Give the car a firm shake to confirm it’s stable.

Step 3: Remove rear wheels

• Use a 22mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet (or breaker bar) to remove lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels for easier access and to compare sides.

Step 4: Put the rear parking brake system in the correct state

• If you have a hand lever parking brake: confirm it is fully released, then continue.
• If you have an EPB button: use a scan tool with GM EPB Service Mode (specialty) and command the rear EPB into Service Mode before pushing pistons back.
• Don’t force a piston against an active EPB.

Step 5: Remove the rear caliper (do not disconnect the hose)

• Turn the steering wheel slightly or reposition yourself for access (rear is tight).
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the two caliper guide/slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Support it using a caliper hanger hook—do not let it hang by the brake hose.

Step 6: Remove old pads and hardware clips

• Pull the old inner and outer pads out by hand. Use a flat trim tool if they’re stuck.
• Remove the stainless hardware/abutment clips from the bracket using the flat trim tool.

Step 7: Clean the bracket and slide surfaces

• Spray the bracket pad lands with brake parts cleaner.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust buildup where the clips sit.
• Wipe clean and let it dry.

Step 8: Service the slide pins

• Carefully pull the slide pins out of the bracket by hand.
• Clean them, then apply a thin coat of brake caliper grease (silicone).
• Reinsert pins and confirm they move smoothly.
• Sticky pins cause uneven pad wear.

Step 9: Install new hardware clips and pads

• Install new abutment clips from the rear brake pad hardware kit onto the bracket.
• Apply a very thin smear of brake caliper grease (silicone) where the pad ears contact the clips (metal-to-metal contact points only).
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 10: Retract the rear caliper piston

• Place an old pad against the piston face to spread the force.
• Use a C-clamp brake compressor or disc brake piston compressor tool to slowly push the piston back in.
• If the piston will not compress smoothly: stop and re-check EPB Service Mode using the scan tool with GM EPB Service Mode (specialty).

Step 11: Reinstall the caliper and torque fasteners

• Set the caliper back over the new pads.
• Reinstall the caliper guide/slide bolts using a 13mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet, then torque with a 3/8" drive torque wrench: Torque to 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs).
• If you removed the caliper bracket (only if needed): reinstall bracket bolts using an 18mm socket and torque with a 1/2" drive torque wrench: Torque to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Install wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the car enough that the tires touch the ground and won’t spin.
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a 22mm socket and 1/2" drive torque wrench: Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Exit EPB service mode (if equipped)

• If equipped with EPB: use the scan tool with GM EPB Service Mode (specialty) to command EPB out of service mode.

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✅ After Repair

• 🦶 Before driving, pump the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pads).
• 🧪 Start the car and verify the brake warning light is off.
• 🔎 Check brake fluid level; top off only if needed.
• 🚗 Do a slow test drive, then a few moderate stops to bed the pads in. Avoid hard panic stops for the first ~200 miles.
• 👂 Listen for grinding/squealing and re-check your work if anything sounds wrong.

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💰 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 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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