🔧 Front Brake Pads & Rotors - Replacement

Replacing the front brake pads and rotors restores braking performance and helps eliminate noise, vibration, and pulsing. On your Equinox, the front brakes use a floating caliper setup, so the job is straightforward if you keep everything clean and follow torque specs closely.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and support the vehicle with jack stands. Never rely on a jack alone.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask if available.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Keep grease and oil off the brake pad friction material and rotor surface.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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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 19mm socket
• Ratchet
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord or hook
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Micrometer or brake rotor gauge
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• Chock the rear wheels securely.
• Replace brakes in pairs on the same axle.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the vehicle

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to raise the front of the Equinox at the proper lift point.
• Place jack stands under the front support points and lower the vehicle onto them.
• Remove the front wheel using a lug wrench or 19mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the brake caliper

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

Step 3: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use an 18mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the steering knuckle.
• Torque on reassembly: 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If stuck, use a flat blade screwdriver through the access hole or tap lightly with a rubber mallet.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush so the new rotor sits flat.

Step 5: Install the new rotor

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner and wipe it dry.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• Keep the rotor face perfectly clean.

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Install the caliper bracket using the 18mm socket.
• Torque to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Install pads and compress the caliper

• Install the new brake hardware if included with your kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points only.
• Use a brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to push the caliper piston fully back in.
• Install the new pads in the bracket.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads.
• Use the 13mm socket to install the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern with the torque wrench and lug wrench or 19mm socket.
• Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before driving to seat the caliper pistons.
• Check brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir.
• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking and recheck lug nut torque after a short drive.
• New pads and rotors may need a short break-in period.

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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.