🔧 XT4 - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

On your XT4, replacing the rear brake pads and rotors requires safely lifting the rear, removing the caliper and bracket, swapping the rotor, and installing new pads with proper hardware. The main “gotcha” is the electronic parking brake (EPB), which must be put into service mode before compressing the rear caliper pistons.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the rear with jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Use wheel chocks at the front wheels so the vehicle can’t roll.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the caliper is off the rotor.
• ⚠️ EPB precaution: the rear pistons may be motor-driven; forcing them without service mode can damage the EPB actuator.
• ⚠️ Let brakes cool—rotors/calipers can be very hot after driving.

---

🔧 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
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (1/2", 20-200 ft-lbs range)
• Torque wrench (3/8", 10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set (metric, 8mm-21mm)
• Ratchet (3/8")
• Ratchet (1/2")
• Hex key socket set (metric, 5mm-10mm)
• Flat trim/pry tool
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Brake piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaner spray
• Small bungee cord
• Scan tool with GM 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit (abutment clips) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake anti-seize compound - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the ignition off, and place wheel chocks at the front tires.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts 1/2 turn using a breaker bar and correct lug socket before lifting.
• EPB plan: You must put the EPB into service mode before pushing the rear pistons in.
• Answer these two quick questions so I can give you the exact EPB steps and correct torque specs for your brake hardware:
• ❓ Do you have a scan tool that can run GM EPB Service Mode (yes/no)?
• ❓ What wheel size is on your XT4: 18", 20", or other?

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

I can walk you through the full rear pad/rotor job step-by-step, but I need your answers to the two questions above to provide the correct EPB retraction method and the correct torque values for your exact rear brake setup.

---

✅ After Repair

• Before driving, pump the brake pedal until it feels firm.
• Re-enable/exit EPB service mode (method depends on your answer above).
• Test at low speed first; confirm no grinding, pulling, or warning messages.
• Bed-in pads gently for best feel.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $600-$1,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$450 (parts only)

You Save: $420-$550 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.