🔧 Rear Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

Your rear pads and rotors are replaced as a set so the new parts wear evenly and the braking stays smooth. On your Equinox, the rear caliper must be fully compressed before the new pads go in, and the rotor should be replaced if it is worn, scored, or below spec.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Use jack stands; never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Rear brake parts can be hot after driving.
• Brake dust is harmful; do not blow it off with compressed air.
• If your Equinox is equipped with an electronic parking brake, put it in brake service mode before compressing the rear calipers.
• Keep the brake pedal off-limits until both sides are fully assembled.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 19mm lug wrench or socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord or brake caliper hanger
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• If equipped with an electronic parking brake, place it in service mode before starting.
• Open the brake fluid reservoir and check the level before compressing the calipers.
• Tip: Keep one old pad nearby for caliper compression.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift the rear and remove the wheels

• Use the floor jack to raise the rear of your Equinox at the correct lift point.
• Support both sides with jack stands.
• Remove the rear lug nuts with the 19mm lug wrench or socket, then take off both rear wheels.
• Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs) on reassembly.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use the 15mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a bungee cord or brake caliper hanger. Do not let it hang by the hose.
• Tip: If the caliper sticks, wiggle it gently.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs) on reassembly.

Step 3: Remove the caliper bracket and old rotor

• Use the 18mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Slide the bracket off the knuckle.
• Remove the rotor. If it is stuck, tap the rotor hat with a flat-blade screwdriver or use the rotor’s threaded service holes if equipped.
• Torque to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs) on reassembly.

Step 4: Clean and prep the hub

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the hub with brake cleaner and wipe it clean.
• Apply a very light film of brake caliper slide pin grease to the pad contact points and slide pins only.
• Tip: A clean hub prevents rotor wobble.

Step 5: Install the new rotor and bracket

• Install the new rotor and hold it in place with a lug nut if needed.
• Reinstall the caliper bracket with the 18mm socket.
• Torque to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Install the new pads

• Install the new hardware clips from the brake hardware kit if included.
• Place the new pads into the bracket.
• Make sure the inner and outer pads sit fully in the clips and move freely.

Step 7: Compress the caliper and reinstall it

• Use the C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to slowly push the rear caliper piston back in.
• Reinstall the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts with the 15mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).
• Tip: Compress the piston slowly to avoid seal damage.

Step 8: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

• Install the rear wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle with the floor jack.
• Torque the lug nuts with the torque wrench in a star pattern.
• Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

---

✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed before normal driving.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking and recheck wheel torque after the test drive.
• If equipped with an electronic parking brake, confirm it sets and releases normally.
• Tip: New pads may need a short break-in period.

---

💰 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.

---

🎯 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.