🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Replacement

The rear brake pads on your Silverado wear out from normal use and should be replaced before the friction material gets too thin. This job also gives you a chance to inspect the rear rotors, caliper slides, and brake fluid level so the braking system stays safe and even.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Use jack stands on solid ground. Never rely on a jack alone.
• Brake dust may be present. Avoid blowing it off with compressed air.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• If your truck has an electronic parking brake, it must be placed in service mode before opening the rear caliper.
• If your truck does not have electronic parking brake, make sure the parking brake is fully released before service.
• Keep brake fluid off paint. Wipe spills right away.

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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 socket
• 18mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord or hook
• Flat screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Shop rags
• Brake cleaner
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Scan tool with electronic parking brake service mode (specialty)

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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
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a flat surface and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• Chock the front wheels.
• If equipped with electronic parking brake, put it in service mode with a scan tool before raising the vehicle. Menu path varies by scan tool.
• Release the parking brake only after the truck is safely supported if your service mode procedure requires it.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Prepare the truck

• Use a 21mm socket and ratchet to loosen the rear lug nuts 1/2 turn.
• Chock the front wheels.
• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support it with jack stands (rated for truck weight).
• Remove the rear wheels with the 21mm socket.

Step 2: Access the caliper

• Inspect the caliper and rotor before removal.
• If equipped with electronic parking brake, confirm it is in service mode before continuing.
• Use a flat screwdriver if needed to gently remove any pad retaining clips.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use an 18mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket carefully.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or hook. Do not let it hang by the brake hose.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Remove the inner and outer brake pads from the bracket.
• Remove the old pad clips and hardware from the bracket.
• Use a wire brush to clean the pad contact points.
• Spray the bracket with brake cleaner and wipe it clean with shop rags.

Step 5: Service the caliper slide pins

• Remove the slide pins if needed.
• Clean them and apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease.
• Make sure the pins move smoothly.

Step 6: Retract the caliper piston

• Use a Brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to push the piston back into the caliper.
• For electronic parking brake models, follow the scan tool service mode procedure before compressing the piston.
• Go slow and keep the piston square.

Step 7: Install the new pads and hardware

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

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the guide pin bolts with an 18mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reassemble the wheel end

• Reinstall the wheel.
• Hand-tighten the lug nuts with a 21mm socket.
• Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Restore brake function

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• If equipped, exit electronic parking brake service mode with the scan tool.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the truck and confirm the brake pedal feels normal.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• Listen for rubbing or grinding sounds.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the first drive.
• For new pads, do a gentle break-in with several medium stops from low speed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $70-$180 (parts only)

You Save: $180-$270 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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