🔧 Enclave - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, take off the rear brake calipers and brackets, replace the rotors, and install new rear brake pads. The key “gotcha” on your Enclave is the parking brake: if it has an electronic parking brake, you must put it into service mode before pushing the caliper pistons back.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the Enclave with jack stands before going under or pulling on suspension/brake parts.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor, or the piston can pop out and leak.
• ⚠️ If equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB switch on the console), you must retract it with a scan tool service mode before compressing pistons.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.

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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
• Lug wrench or 22mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• Ratchet (1/2" drive)
• Socket set (metric)
• Torx bit set
• Breaker bar (1/2" drive)
• Torque wrench (10-250 Nm range)
• Flat trim tool or flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp or brake caliper piston compressor tool
• Bungee cord or mechanics wire
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Scan tool with EPB Service Mode (specialty)
• 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 - Qty: 2
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the steering wheel straight, and set wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• Make sure the parking brake is OFF before lifting the rear.
• If your Enclave has an EPB switch, plan to use a scan tool to enter Parking Brake Service Mode. A scan tool is a handheld device that commands modules to move components for service.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting (do not remove them yet).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear at the approved rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the rear support points and lower onto the stands.
• Verify stability by gently rocking the vehicle.

Step 2: Remove the rear wheels

• Use a lug wrench or 22mm socket to remove the lug nuts and remove both rear wheels.
• During reassembly, wheel lug nuts are typically Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 3: Retract the electronic parking brake (if equipped)

• If your Enclave has an EPB switch, connect a scan tool with EPB Service Mode (specialty).
• Use the scan tool function for rear parking brake service (wording varies by tool), and confirm the system reports it is in service mode.
• Do not skip this with EPB.

Step 4: Remove the rear brake caliper

• Turn the rotor by hand and inspect the caliper/hoses before disassembly.
• Use a socket and ratchet (3/8" drive) to remove the caliper guide/slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord or mechanics wire (do not let it hang by the hose).

Step 5: Remove pads and the caliper bracket

• Remove the old pads from the bracket (use a flat trim tool or flathead screwdriver if needed).
• Use a breaker bar (1/2" drive) and the correct socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Set the bracket aside for cleaning.

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• If your rotor has a retaining screw, remove it using the correct Torx bit.
• Pull the rotor straight off the hub. If stuck, tap around the hat area with a hammer (if used) or use penetrating oil at the hub/rotor seam.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust off the hub face so the new rotor sits flat.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner and wipe clean (removes shipping oil).
• Install the rotor onto the hub. If there was a retaining screw, reinstall it using a Torx bit and a torque wrench to Torque to 10 Nm (89 in-lbs).

Step 8: Service the bracket and slide pins

• Remove the pad hardware (clips) if your new pads include replacements.
• Clean the bracket pad contact areas using a wire brush and brake cleaner.
• Pull the slide pins out, wipe clean, then apply a thin coat of brake caliper grease (silicone) and reinstall.
• A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to an exact force so parts don’t loosen or strip.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Reinstall the bracket and hand-start the bolts to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten bracket bolts to Torque to 125 Nm (92 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Compress the caliper piston

• Before compressing, verify the EPB is in service mode (if equipped).
• Use a C-clamp or brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly press the piston back into the caliper.
• Go slowly and keep the piston straight so it doesn’t bind.

Step 11: Install the new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Install new hardware/clips (if provided) into the bracket.
• Apply a very thin layer of brake caliper grease (silicone) to pad ears where they touch the clips (do not get grease on pad friction or rotor).
• Install the inner and outer pads.
• Reinstall the caliper over the new pads and start the guide/slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten caliper guide/slide pin bolts to Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 4 through 11 on the opposite rear side.
• Always replace rotors/pads in pairs.

Step 13: Reinstall wheels and lower the Enclave

• Reinstall wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts.
• Lower the Enclave off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine OFF, pump the brake pedal slowly until it feels firm (this seats the pistons against the new pads).
• If equipped with EPB, use the scan tool with EPB Service Mode (specialty) to exit service mode, then cycle the parking brake on and off once.
• Do a cautious test drive and confirm no grinding, pulling, or warning lights.
• Brake bed-in (break-in): make 6-10 moderate stops from 35 to 5 mph, letting brakes cool briefly between stops.

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💰 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.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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