🔧 Sierra 1500 - Rear Brake and Rotor Replacement

Your rear brake pads and rotors wear together, so replacing both at the same time restores braking feel and keeps the new pads from riding on a worn rotor surface. On your Sierra, the rear brakes also require parking brake service mode before the caliper comes off.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Set the parking brake only when instructed. The rear caliper and parking brake system must be placed in service mode first.
• Support the truck with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle held up only by a jack.
• Let the brakes cool before starting. Rotors and calipers can be very hot.
• Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• If your truck has an electronic parking brake, 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
• 21mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 13mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or mechanic's wire
• Brake caliper piston tool (specialty)
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Flat blade screwdriver
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface and chock the front wheels.
• Put the transmission in Park.
• If equipped with electronic parking brake, place it in service mode before removing the caliper. Menu > Vehicle > Parking Brake Service Mode if using a scan tool or follow the truck's service procedure.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts before lifting the truck.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the truck

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of the truck at the proper lift points.
• Place jack stands under the frame and lower the truck onto them.
• Remove the rear wheels with a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Retract the rear parking brake system

• Put the parking brake into service mode before caliper removal.
• If using a scan tool, follow the service-brake release command for the rear axle.
• Do not force the caliper off.

Step 3: Remove the caliper and bracket

• Use an 18mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper and hang it with a bungee cord or mechanic's wire.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the caliper guide pins if needed for access.

Step 4: Remove the old rotor

• Remove the rotor retaining screw if equipped using a Torx bit.
• Pull the rotor off the hub.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap it lightly from the back with a rubber mallet.
• Clean the hub surface with a wire brush and brake cleaner.

Step 5: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove packing oil.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• Reinstall the rotor screw if equipped.
• Keep the hub face clean for rotor fit.

Step 6: Install new pads and reassemble

• Install the new pad hardware and apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the contact points.
• Use the brake caliper piston tool to compress the rear caliper piston straight in.
• Install the new brake pads.
• Reinstall the caliper bracket and torque the bracket bolts to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the caliper guide bolts and torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall wheel and lower the truck

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the truck with the floor jack.
• Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench.

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal slowly until it feels firm before moving the truck.
• Take the truck for a short test drive and check for noises or vibration.
• Verify the parking brake operates normally after service mode is cleared.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the first drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

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

You Save: $270-$500 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?

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.