🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Replacement

Rear brake pads on your Equinox sit inside the rear caliper and wear down over time. This job includes retracting the rear caliper, replacing the pads and hardware, and then checking brake pedal feel before driving.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Use jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Your Equinox has an electronic parking brake. Put it in service mode before pushing the rear caliper piston back.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Brake dust may be present. Use brake cleaner and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• If the brake fluid reservoir is full, removing the caliper piston may overflow fluid. Watch the level.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 14mm socket
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp or brake caliper piston tool
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Shop towels
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile 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 hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and chock the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake only after putting the system into service mode.
• Put the transmission in Park and keep the ignition off until you are ready for EPB service mode.
• If you have a scan tool with EPB service, use it to retract the rear parking brake before starting.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the rear parking brake in service mode

• Use a scan tool with EPB service mode if available.
• If using the vehicle controls, follow the electronic parking brake service procedure in the owner's manual before opening the rear caliper.
• Do not force the piston back yet.

Step 2: Raise and support the vehicle

• Use the 19mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting.
• Lift the rear of the Equinox with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Set the vehicle securely on jack stands.
• Remove the rear wheel with the 19mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper

• Use the 14mm socket to remove the rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a brake caliper hanger hook.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to remove the pad clips if they are stuck.
• Remove the abutment hardware and clean the bracket with wire brush and brake cleaner.
• Clean metal surfaces help the pads slide smoothly.

Step 5: Retract the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp or brake caliper piston tool to slowly compress the rear caliper piston.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing.
• If the piston does not move easily, stop and confirm EPB service mode is active.

Step 6: Install the new pads and hardware

• Install the new pad clips from the rear brake hardware kit.
• Apply a light coat of brake grease to the pad ears and contact points only.
• Install the new brake pads into the bracket.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts using the 14mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).
• Start all bolts by hand first.

Step 8: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts with the 19mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle and then torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Take the parking brake out of service mode

• Use the scan tool or the vehicle control procedure to exit EPB service mode.
• Apply and release the parking brake once to confirm normal operation.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and adjust if needed.
• Test the parking brake in a safe area.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking during the first short drive.
• New pads need a short break-in period. Use gentle stops for the first 200 miles.

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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?

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