🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Sierra restores stopping power and helps prevent rotor damage from worn pads. On this truck, the rear caliper must be compressed before the new pads will fit, and you should inspect the rotors, slides, and hardware while you are in there.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface with the transmission in Park and the front wheels blocked.
• Lift the truck only with a rated floor jack and support it with jack stands. Never rely on the jack alone.
• Let the brakes cool first. Rotors and calipers can be very hot.
• If your truck has an electronic parking brake, put it in brake service mode before starting. If it has a manual parking brake, fully release it.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose. Support it after removal.
• No battery disconnect is normally 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 for truck weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug wrench or socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Shop towels
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can
• Brake grease - Qty: 1 tube

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake if it is manual. If your truck has an electronic parking brake, place it in service mode first.
• Break the rear lug nuts loose before lifting the truck.
• Lift the rear axle and support both sides securely on jack stands.
• Remove both rear wheels so you can compare pad wear side to side.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the rear wheels

• Use a 21mm lug wrench or socket to loosen and remove the rear wheel lug nuts.
• Take off both rear wheels and set them aside.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 13mm socket to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket carefully.
• Support the caliper with a bungee cord or caliper hanger.
• Do not stretch the brake hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Slide the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and anti-rattle hardware from the bracket.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver if the clips are stuck.

Step 4: Inspect and clean the bracket

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and buildup from the pad contact points.
• Spray the bracket with brake cleaner and wipe it dry with shop towels.
• Check the rotor surface for deep grooves, cracks, or heavy rust.

Step 5: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to slowly push the caliper piston back into the bore.
• Compress it evenly until the piston is fully seated.
• Go slow to avoid seal damage.

Step 6: Install new hardware and pads

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

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper back over the new pads.
• Use a 13mm socket to reinstall the guide pin bolts.
• Torque to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the wheels

• Put the wheels back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the truck to the ground.
• Use a torque wrench and 21mm lug wrench or socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Set the pads

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• This seats the pads against the rotor.
• If equipped with an electronic parking brake, exit service mode now.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the brake fluid level under the hood and top off only if needed.
• Start the truck and confirm the brake pedal feels firm.
• Test drive at low speed first.
• Listen for rubbing, clicking, or squealing.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops unless needed for safety.

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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.