🔧 Colorado - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This job replaces the rear disc brake pads on your Colorado. The rear caliper must be removed carefully so the brake hose is not stretched, then the caliper piston is compressed to make room for the new pads.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support your Colorado with jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves. Brake dust and brake cleaner can irritate skin and eyes.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Do one side at a time so you can use the other side as a reference.
• ⚠️ Your Colorado uses a mechanical parking brake drum-in-hat setup at the rear rotor. Keep the parking brake released during pad replacement.
• ⚠️ 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 rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 14mm socket
• 18mm wrench
• Disc brake piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Small wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Catch pan
• Bungee cord
• Nitrile 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 pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Colorado on level ground.
• Place the transmission in Park.
• Release the parking brake before lifting the rear of the truck.
• Put wheel chocks in front of both front tires.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level. If it is near the MAX line, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool so it does not overflow when the caliper pistons are compressed.
• A disc brake piston compressor tool is a tool that slowly pushes the caliper piston back into the caliper so the thicker new pads fit.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about one turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the rear of your Colorado at a solid rear axle lift point.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the rear axle tubes.
• Lower the truck gently onto the jack stands.
• Shake the truck lightly by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Caliper Slide Bolts

• Work on one side at a time.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the upper and lower rear caliper slide bolts.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it steady with an 18mm wrench while loosening the bolt.
• A slide pin is the smooth pin that lets the brake caliper move side to side as the pads wear.

Step 5: Lift Off and Support the Caliper

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently wiggle the caliper loose if it is stuck.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Use a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Pull the inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver or needle-nose pliers to remove the stainless pad clips from the bracket.
• Place the old pads and clips in a catch pan.

Step 7: Clean the Caliper Bracket

• Use a small wire brush to clean the areas where the pad clips sit.
• Spray the bracket with brake cleaner spray and let it dry.
• Keep brake cleaner away from painted surfaces.
• Clean brackets prevent squeaks.

Step 8: Install New Pad Hardware

• Install the new clips from the rear brake pad hardware kit into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure each clip sits fully flat and locked in place.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the clip contact points where the pad ears slide.
• Do not put lubricant on the friction surface of the pads or rotor.

Step 9: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Place an old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use the disc brake piston compressor tool to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston. Use a catch pan and clean suction tool if the fluid gets too high.
• Go slowly so the brake fluid moves back safely through the system.

Step 10: Install the New Brake Pads

• Slide the new inner and outer rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pad friction material faces the rotor.
• The pads should move smoothly in the clips without binding.

Step 11: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads by hand.
• Start both caliper slide bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to tighten the slide bolts.
• Hold the slide pin with an 18mm wrench if it spins.
• Torque to 38 Nm (28 ft-lbs)

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 11 on the opposite rear brake.
• Use the same 14mm socket, 18mm wrench, disc brake piston compressor tool, small wire brush, and brake cleaner spray.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install both rear wheels by hand.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the truck slightly, then remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your Colorado until the tires touch the ground enough to prevent spinning.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 19mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs)

Step 14: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before driving, sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly 5-10 times.
• The pedal will feel soft at first, then become firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back out against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the pedal feels firm.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the brake fluid reservoir and set the level between MIN and MAX.
• Start your Colorado and press the brake pedal again. Confirm the pedal feels firm.
• Test drive slowly in a safe area. Make several gentle stops from low speed.
• Listen for scraping, grinding, or clunking noises.
• Bed in the new pads with several moderate stops from about 30-35 mph, allowing the brakes to cool briefly between stops.
• Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles unless it is an emergency.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$420 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $175-$300 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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