🔧 Equinox - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll be removing the rear wheels, swapping the rear pads, and replacing the rear rotors. On your Equinox, the parking brake is a small drum brake inside the rear rotor “hat,” so the parking brake must be fully released or the rotor may not come off.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the SUV with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• 🧱 Chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• 🔥 Brakes can be hot; let them cool before starting.
• 🧪 Avoid breathing brake dust; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• 🧴 Don’t let brake fluid overflow; watch the reservoir when compressing pistons.
• 🪝 Never hang the caliper by the brake hose; support it with a hook/strap.

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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
• 19mm socket
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range)
• Ratchet (3/8")
• 13mm socket
• 15mm combination wrench
• 18mm socket
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp (6")
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake parts cleaner
• Anti-seize compound
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake pad hardware kit (abutment clips) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and release the parking brake fully.
• Chock both front wheels using wheel chocks.
• Open the hood and remove the brake fluid reservoir cap (set it on loosely).
• Loosen rear lug nuts 1/2 turn using a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Lift the rear using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the rear pinch welds/subframe points and lower onto stands.
• Remove the rear wheels using a 19mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the rear caliper (pads side)

• Turn the steering wheel slightly if you need better access, then locate the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Remove the slide pin bolts using a 13mm socket while holding the pin flats with a 15mm combination wrench.
• Lift the caliper off and hang it from the suspension using a bungee cord.
• Tip: Don’t twist or stretch the hose.

Step 3: Remove old pads and hardware

• Slide the old pads out by hand (use a flathead screwdriver gently if stuck).
• Remove the stainless pad clips from the bracket using a flathead screwdriver.
• Clean the bracket pad “tracks” with a wire brush and spray with brake parts cleaner.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Remove the caliper bracket bolts using an 18mm socket and breaker bar.
• Set the bracket aside.
• When reinstalling later: Torque to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the rotor (parking brake inside rotor hat)

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap around the rotor “hat” using a rubber mallet (don’t hit the wheel studs).
• If it still won’t come off, the parking brake shoes may be holding it:
  • Make sure the parking brake is fully released inside the cabin.
  • Look for the small rubber plug on the backing plate, remove it using a flathead screwdriver, then turn the star-wheel adjuster to back the shoes off (use the flathead screwdriver).

Step 6: Prep the hub and install the new rotor

• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and brake parts cleaner.
• Apply a very thin film of anti-seize compound to the hub center (avoid the wheel studs and braking surfaces).
• Install the new rotor onto the hub.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper bracket and hardware

• Reinstall the bracket and start the bolts by hand, then tighten using an 18mm socket.
• Torque to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs).
• Install the new pad hardware clips into the bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper grease (silicone) where the pad ears contact the clips.

Step 8: Compress the caliper piston

• Remove the inner/outer pads (if you haven’t already) and place an old pad against the caliper piston face.
• Use a C-clamp (6") to slowly press the piston back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing; remove a little fluid if it gets too high.
• Tip: Go slow to avoid damaging seals.

Step 9: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Install the new pads into the bracket (match inner/outer correctly if different).
• Lower the caliper over the pads.
• Install and tighten the slide pin bolts using a 13mm socket while holding the pin with a 15mm combination wrench.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 2-9 on the opposite side.
• Tip: Do one side at a time for reference.

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower to the ground and torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range).
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until it feels firm before driving.
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 if needed.
• Test the parking brake hold on a gentle incline.
• Bed-in the pads: make 6-10 moderate stops from 30-40 mph, with cool-down time between stops.
• Listen for scraping/grinding; recheck your work if anything sounds wrong.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $160-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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