🔧 Front Brake Pads - Replacement

Your front brake pads need to be removed, the caliper compressed, and the new pads installed with fresh hardware if included. On your Equinox, the front brakes use a floating caliper, so the job is straightforward but you must support the caliper correctly and torque everything properly.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and keep the parking brake applied until the wheel is off.
• Use jack stands; never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Do not let the brake caliper hang by the brake hose.
• Brake dust can be harmful; use safety glasses and avoid compressed air.
• After pad replacement, the brake pedal will feel soft until you pump it up before driving.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 19mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger
• Brake cleaner
• 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 hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground.
• Put the transmission in Park.
• Chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting.
• Raise the front of the Equinox and support it with jack stands.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the front wheel

• Use a 19mm socket and ratchet to remove the lug nuts.
• Lift the wheel off and set it aside.
• Keep lug nuts together.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry the caliper if needed.
• Remove the caliper guide pin bolts with a 19mm socket and ratchet.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or caliper hanger so the brake hose is not stretched.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer brake pads out of the bracket.
• Remove the old pad clips and hardware from the bracket.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the bracket contact points.
• Spray the cleaned area with brake cleaner.

Step 4: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Compress slowly and keep the piston face straight.
• Open the brake fluid cap if needed.

Step 5: Install the new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips into the bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points and clip ears.
• Install the new inner and outer pads in the bracket.
• Make sure both pads sit fully in place.

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the guide pin bolts with a 19mm socket and ratchet.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-start the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle enough for the tire to touch the ground.
• Use a 19mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the pads on the opposite front wheel too.
• Always replace front pads in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before starting to drive.
• Check the brake fluid level.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking noises.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard braking to help the pads bed in.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$310 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 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.