🔧 Traverse - Front Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the front brake pads on your Traverse. Worn pads can cause squealing, longer stopping distance, brake dust, or grinding if ignored.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands before putting any part of your body near the wheel well.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful; avoid blowing it with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint, so wipe spills immediately with a clean shop towel.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for front brake pad replacement on your Traverse.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 22mm lug nut socket
• Ratchet wrench
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp or disc brake piston compressor (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger hook (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Traverse on level ground and shift to Park.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 🚫 Do not set the parking brake if you are only doing the front brakes, unless needed to stabilize the vehicle.
• 🧤 Put on safety glasses and gloves before removing the wheels.
• 📌 Open the hood and check the brake fluid level. If the reservoir is very full, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing caliper pistons.
• 📘 A caliper is the clamp-shaped brake part that squeezes the pads against the rotor.
• 📘 A rotor is the round metal disc behind the wheel.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Lug Nuts

• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen each front lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do this while the tires are still on the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Tip: Loosen, do not remove yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack at the front subframe lift area to raise the front of your Traverse.
• Place jack stands under the approved front support points on both sides.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Lightly shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before working.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and set them flat on the ground away from your work area.

Step 4: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Use a flashlight if available and look at the pad thickness, rotor surface, caliper, and brake hose.
• Use safety glasses and check for fluid leaks or torn rubber parts.
• If the rotor is deeply grooved, cracked, or below minimum thickness, replace the rotors with the pads.

Step 5: Remove the Lower Caliper Guide Pin Bolt

• Turn the steering wheel slightly to give yourself more room on the side you are working on.
• Use the 14mm socket and ratchet wrench to remove the lower caliper guide pin bolt.
• A guide pin bolt holds the sliding caliper to its bracket and lets it move smoothly as the pads wear.

Step 6: Swing the Caliper Up

• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry the caliper upward if it is snug.
• Swing the caliper up and support it with a brake caliper hanger hook.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.
• Tip: Protect the brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Use your hands or a flathead screwdriver to slide the old inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Note the position of any wear indicator clip before removing the pads.
• A wear indicator is a small metal tab that squeals when pads get thin.

Step 8: Remove and Clean the Pad Hardware

• Use the flathead screwdriver to remove the old metal pad clips from the caliper bracket.
• Use the wire brush to clean rust and brake dust from the bracket where the clips sit.
• Spray the bracket area with brake cleaner spray and wipe it with shop towels.

Step 9: Install New Pad Hardware

• Use your hands to snap the new front brake pad hardware kit clips into the caliper bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the contact points where the brake pad ears slide in the clips.
• Do not put lubricant on the pad friction material or rotor face.

Step 10: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use a C-clamp or disc brake piston compressor to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir under the hood while compressing the piston.
• If fluid rises near the top, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool and wipe spills with shop towels.
• A piston is the round part inside the caliper that pushes the brake pad.

Step 11: Install the New Brake Pads

• Use your hands to slide the new inner and outer front brake pads into the bracket.
• Make sure the pad ears sit fully in the new metal clips.
• If the pads do not slide smoothly, remove them and recheck clip position and rust buildup.
• Tip: Pads should move freely.

Step 12: Lower the Caliper and Reinstall the Bolt

• Remove the brake caliper hanger hook and carefully swing the caliper down over the new pads.
• Use the 14mm socket and ratchet wrench to reinstall the lower caliper guide pin bolt.
• Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs) using the torque wrench 1/2-inch drive with the 14mm socket.

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Front Side

• Use the same 14mm socket, flathead screwdriver, wire brush, brake cleaner spray, and C-clamp or disc brake piston compressor on the other front brake.
• Always replace front brake pads as a full axle set, meaning both front wheels.

Step 14: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Use your hands to start all lug nuts by threading them clockwise.
• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Do not fully torque the lug nuts while the wheels are off the ground.

Step 15: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands, then lower your Traverse to the ground.
• Use the torque wrench 1/2-inch drive and 22mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before driving, sit in the driver seat and slowly press the brake pedal 5-10 times.
• The pedal may go low at first, then become firm as the caliper pistons move back into position.
• Use your eyes to recheck the brake fluid reservoir and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Traverse and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm, not spongy.
• ✅ Check around both front calipers for leaks.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area and make several gentle stops.
• ✅ Bed in the pads with 8-10 moderate stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, allowing a short cool-down between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles unless it is an emergency.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive: 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $45-$120 (parts only)

You Save: $130-$330 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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