🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Sierra restores stopping power and helps prevent rotor damage. This job involves removing the rear caliper, swapping the pads and hardware, then compressing the caliper piston before reassembly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Use jack stands under the frame. Do not rely on the jack alone.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.
• Keep grease and brake cleaner off the brake rotor and pad friction surfaces.
• Parking brake must be fully released before removing the rear caliper.
• No battery disconnect is 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
• Lug wrench
• 15mm socket
• 18mm wrench
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool
• Bungee cord or mechanic's wire
• Torque wrench
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• 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 pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• Release the parking brake before removing the rear calipers.
• If one side is worn much more than the other, inspect the caliper slides and hose.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the rear of the truck

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear of your Sierra by the axle or approved lift point.
• Place jack stands under the frame and lower the truck onto them.
• Use a wheel chock on the front tires so the truck cannot roll.

Step 2: Remove the rear wheel

• Use a lug wrench to remove the lug nuts.
• Take off the wheel and set it aside.

Step 3: Remove the brake caliper

• Use a 15mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord or mechanic's wire.
• Do not let it hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Slide the old brake pads out of the bracket.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver if the pads are stuck.
• Remove the old stainless hardware clips from the bracket.
• Use a wire brush to clean the pad lands on the bracket.

Step 5: Retract the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool to push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Make sure the piston is straight and goes in smoothly.
• Watch the brake fluid level in the master cylinder.

Step 6: Install the new hardware and pads

• Install the new hardware clips from the rear brake pad hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points and slide surfaces only.
• Install the new pads into the bracket.
• Make sure the inner and outer pads are in the correct positions.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads and bracket.
• Use a 15mm socket and ratchet to reinstall the guide pin bolts.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the truck to the ground with the floor jack.
• Use a torque wrench and lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Repeat on the other side if needed

• Replace rear pads in pairs for even braking.
• Repeat the same steps on the other rear wheel.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the truck.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Test drive slowly at first and listen for abnormal noises.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops when possible.

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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 1.5-2.5 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.