🔧 Rear Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

This job replaces the rear brake pads and rear rotors on your Sierra. Because your truck uses an electronic parking brake, you need to put the rear calipers into service mode before compressing them.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Your truck has an electronic parking brake. Put it in service mode before pushing the rear caliper pistons back.
• Do not work under the truck with only a jack. Use jack stands.
• Brake dust is harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air. Use brake cleaner instead.
• Brake parts can be hot after driving. Let everything cool first.
• Keep the brake pedal untouched until both sides are fully reassembled.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for truck weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 22mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 13mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger
• C-clamp or brake caliper piston tool
• Flat screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Shop rags
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the transmission in Park.
• Chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Release the parking brake before entering service mode.
• For the electronic parking brake, use the brake service mode if available on your scan tool, or use the vehicle’s brake maintenance procedure before retracting the rear pistons.
• Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Prepare the truck

• Use the 22mm socket to break the rear wheel lug nuts loose before lifting the truck.
• Lift the rear with the floor jack and support it with jack stands.
• Remove both rear wheels with the 22mm socket.
• Keep the truck stable before starting brake work.

Step 2: Put the rear brakes in service mode

• Use the brake service function with a scan tool if you have one.
• If using the vehicle procedure, place the parking brake in maintenance mode before retracting the calipers.
• Confirm the rear parking brake motors are fully released before moving on.
• Do not force the piston back without service mode.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use the 13mm socket to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord or caliper hanger.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 4: Remove the bracket and rotor

• Use the 18mm socket and breaker bar to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Pull the rotor off the hub. If it is stuck, use a flat screwdriver to help free it.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush so the new rotor sits flat.
• A clean hub prevents brake pulsation.

Step 5: Install the new rotor and bracket

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove protective oil.
• Install the new rotor on the hub.
• Reinstall the caliper bracket and tighten the bolts with the 18mm socket.
• Torque to 200 Nm (148 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Install the new pads

• Install the new pad hardware from the brake hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points if supplied with the kit.
• Set the new pads into the bracket.

Step 7: Compress the caliper and reinstall it

• Use the C-clamp or brake caliper piston tool to compress the rear caliper piston slowly.
• Reinstall the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the guide pin bolts with the 13mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Repeat on the other side

• Perform the same steps on the opposite rear wheel.
• Replace pads and rotors on both sides together.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and exit service mode

• Reinstall both wheels and snug the lug nuts with the 22mm socket.
• Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern with the torque wrench.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).
• Exit brake service mode using the scan tool or vehicle procedure.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the truck.
• Check brake pedal feel. It should firm up.
• Test the parking brake on a safe, level surface.
• Do a slow test drive and listen for rubbing or grinding.
• Bed the new pads and rotors with several moderate stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $500-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $320-$550 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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