🔧 Rear Brake Pads & Rotors - Replacement

The rear brake pads and rotors on your Equinox can be replaced at home with basic hand tools, but the rear caliper must be retracted correctly before new pads will fit. Since this vehicle uses an electronic parking brake, the brake system must be placed in service mode before disassembly and returned to normal mode after the repair.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Use the electronic parking brake service mode before removing the rear calipers.
• Do not work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Use jack stands.
• Brake parts may be hot and dusty. Wear safety glasses and gloves.
• Do not breathe brake dust. Clean parts with brake cleaner only.
• Support the caliper with a hanger or bungee cord. Do not let it hang by the hose.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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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
• Lug wrench or 22mm socket
• Ratchet
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Flat screwdriver
• 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 rotors - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface and set the parking brake only after the service mode step is complete.
• Chock the front wheels.
• Shift to Park and keep the ignition on as needed for parking brake service mode.
• Before starting, use the vehicle controls to place the electronic parking brake in service mode. On many GM vehicles, this is done through the brake/parking brake service procedure in the instrument cluster or driver information menu. Use the service mode shown in your owner's display if equipped.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the parking brake in service mode

• Use the vehicle's parking brake service procedure to retract the rear calipers. This keeps the electric parking brake motor from being damaged.
• Confirm the parking brake is fully released before lifting the vehicle.
• Service mode protects the EPB motor.

Step 2: Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts

• Use a lug wrench or 22mm socket to break the rear lug nuts loose while the vehicle is still on the ground.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 3: Raise and support the vehicle

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear of the Equinox at the proper lift point.
• Set the vehicle securely on jack stands.
• Remove the rear wheels.

Step 4: Remove the rear caliper

• Use a 13mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket carefully.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or caliper hanger.

Step 5: Remove the brake pads and hardware

• Remove the old brake pads from the caliper bracket.
• Use a flat screwdriver if needed to gently lift the pad ears out of the bracket.
• Remove the old pad clips and hardware.

Step 6: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use an 18mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs) on installation.

Step 7: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor off the hub.
• If it is stuck, spray penetrating oil at the hub center and tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.

Step 8: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner before installing it.
• Slide the rotor onto the hub.
• Make sure it sits flush and spins without binding.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Use the 18mm socket to reinstall the bracket.
• Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Install the new pads and hardware

• Install the new pad clips from the hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the contact points and slide pins.
• Install the new pads in the bracket.
• Do not get grease on pad friction surfaces.

Step 11: Retract the caliper piston

• Use a brake caliper compression tool to slowly compress the rear caliper piston.
• Make sure the piston seats straight and fully retracts.
• If the piston resists, stop and verify the parking brake is fully in service mode.

Step 12: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper over the new pads and bracket.
• Install the guide pin bolts with a 13mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-start the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle and use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Repeat on the other rear side

• Replace brakes and rotors on both rear wheels together.
• Always replace in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Return the electronic parking brake to normal mode using the same vehicle service procedure.
• Pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir.
• Test brake operation at low speed before normal driving.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking noises and recheck wheel torque after the first drive.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard braking so the new pads can bed in.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$380 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$520 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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