🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Replacement

The rear pads on your Equinox wear down with normal braking and should be replaced before they get too thin or start damaging the rotors. On this SUV, the rear calipers must be compressed carefully, and if your model is equipped with an electric parking brake, it must be put into service mode first.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat, level surface and chock the front wheels.
• If equipped with an electric parking brake, place it in service mode before removing the rear calipers.
• Never let a caliper hang by the brake hose.
• Brake dust can be harmful; wear a mask and safety glasses.
• Use jack stands. Do not rely on the floor jack alone.
• After the job, pump the brake pedal before moving the vehicle.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for vehicle weight)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Brake caliper piston tool (specialty)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord or hook

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

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

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the transmission in Park.
• Engage the parking brake before lifting the vehicle, then release it before removing the caliper if needed.
• If your Equinox has an electric parking brake, put it in service mode first using the driver information controls or scan tool, then release it.
• Break loose the rear wheel lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Prepare the vehicle

• Use the 17mm socket and ratchet to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts one turn each.
• Lift the rear of the Equinox with the floor jack and support it with jack stands.
• Remove the rear wheels.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use the 17mm socket to remove the caliper guide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket carefully.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or hook so the brake hose is not stretched.
• Do not twist the hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Slide the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and hardware from the bracket.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust and debris from the bracket contact points.

Step 4: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a brake caliper piston tool (specialty) to wind or compress the rear piston, depending on the caliper design.
• If the piston is stubborn, use a C-clamp with the old pad to press it in slowly.
• Make sure the piston is fully seated before installing the new pads.
• Go slow to avoid seal damage.

Step 5: Install the new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips from the brake pad hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the slide pins and contact points only.
• Install the new rear brake pads into the bracket.

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the caliper guide bolts with the 17mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-start all lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle with the floor jack.
• Use the torque wrench and 17mm socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Release and reapply the parking brake to confirm normal operation.
• Start the engine and check for warning lights.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops unless necessary.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $280-$520 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $70-$160 (parts only)

You Save: $210-$360 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 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.