🔧 Malibu - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads and rotors on your Malibu means removing the rear wheels, retracting the caliper pistons, swapping pads/rotors, then torquing everything correctly. The only “make-or-break” detail is whether your Malibu has an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), because that changes how you retract the rear calipers.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.0-3.5 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ If equipped with Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), do not force the piston back without putting the EPB into service mode (you can damage the caliper).
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful—wear dust mask and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Brakes get hot—work only when the brakes are cool.

---

🔧 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
• Lug nut socket (19mm)
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (1/2")
• Ratchet (3/8")
• Socket set (metric)
• Wrench set (metric)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Brake piston rewind tool (specialty)
• C-clamp (6")
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask
• Scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant (silicone/ceramic) - Qty: 1
• Threadlocker (medium strength) - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, steering straight, and place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake before lifting the rear of the car.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; keep the cap loose so fluid can rise as you retract pistons.
• If your Malibu has EPB, plan to use a scan tool EPB service mode before compressing the rear pistons.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Quick check — do you have EPB?

• Look between the front seats for a parking brake button/switch instead of a foot pedal.
• Please reply with: “button EPB” or “foot pedal”. Then I’ll give you the exact correct rear caliper retraction method.
• Don’t start compressing pistons yet.

Step 2: Loosen lug nuts and lift the rear

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear lug nuts 1/2 turn.
• Lift the rear using a floor jack at the proper rear jack point, then support with jack stands.
• Remove the wheels using the 19mm lug nut socket and set them aside.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed for rear; position yourself for access.
• Use a ratchet (3/8") and metric socket set to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it using a brake caliper hanger hook (never let it hang by the hose).
• Take a photo before disassembly.

Step 4: Remove pads and hardware

• Remove the old pads from the bracket by hand; use a flathead screwdriver if they’re stuck.
• Remove the stainless hardware clips from the bracket using a flathead screwdriver.
• Clean the bracket pad “rails” with a wire brush and spray with brake cleaner spray.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a breaker bar (1/2") and metric socket set to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Set the bracket aside.
• Reinstall later and Torque to OEM spec (I’ll provide the exact torque once you confirm EPB vs foot pedal).

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• If there are retaining screws, remove them using a socket set (metric) or flathead screwdriver (varies by rotor).
• Pull the rotor off. If it’s stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet evenly around the face.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and brake cleaner spray so the new rotor sits flat.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner spray to remove shipping oil.
• Install the rotor onto the hub and hold it in place with 1 lug nut hand-tight using the 19mm lug nut socket.

Step 8: Reinstall bracket and new hardware

• Reinstall the caliper bracket using a ratchet (3/8") to start bolts by hand.
• Tighten using a torque wrench (1/2") and socket set (metric), then Torque to OEM spec (after your EPB confirmation).
• Install new hardware clips into the bracket.
• Apply a thin film of brake lubricant where the pad ears slide on the hardware (not on pad friction material).

Step 9: Retract the rear caliper piston (method depends on EPB)

• If you have foot pedal: use a C-clamp (6") to slowly compress the piston straight back in.
• If you have button EPB: use a scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty) first, then retract using a brake piston rewind tool (specialty).
• A brake piston rewind tool is a tool that pushes and turns the piston smoothly without damage.
• Go slow; watch the fluid level.

Step 10: Install new pads and reinstall caliper

• Install the new pads into the bracket by hand.
• Place the caliper over the pads and align slide pins.
• Install slide pin bolts using a ratchet (3/8") and metric socket set, then Torque to OEM spec (after your EPB confirmation).

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall the wheels and snug lug nuts using a 19mm lug nut socket.
• Lower the car and torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench (1/2").
• Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

---

✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal 8–12 times before driving until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• If equipped with button EPB, exit EPB service mode using the scan tool, then apply/release the parking brake a few times.
• Perform a careful test drive: low speed first, confirm no grinding/vibration, then recheck for leaks.
• Avoid hard stops for first 200 miles.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $160-$380 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$470 by doing it yourself!

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