How do I Release the Brakes on a 1996 GMC Truck?

The 1996 GMC truck comes equipped with disc brake pads on the front wheels and brake shoes on the rear wheels. If the brake pads or the brake shoes wear down too far, they can cause damage to the brake rotors or the brake drums. The damage can range from excessive grooving to excessive wear. Applying brakes to damaged brake rotors or brake drums can sometimes result in the brakes getting stuck. Once the brakes get stuck, they will need to be released from the rotors or the drums before the brakes can be replaced.

Instructions

Releasing the Front Brake Pads

1

Pull the 1996 GMC truck onto a flat surface and set the parking brake. Turn the engine off.

2

Loosen the lug nuts from the front and rear wheels about one-quarter of a turn with a tire tool or a lug wrench.

3

Jack the front end up with a jack and place the jack stands under the proper front jacking points. Lower the truck onto the stands. Pull the jack out and move it to the rear of the truck. Jack up the rear of the truck and place the other jack stands under the proper rear jacking points. Lower the truck onto the jack stands and leave the jack in place. Finish removing the lug nuts from the front and rear wheels. Pull the wheels off and place them flat down on the surface.

4

Locate the brake caliper that is mounted to the front driver's side brake rotor. Loosen and remove the two mounting bolts on the back side of the brake caliper with a ratchet and a metric socket. Slide the end of a small pry bar between the brake rotor and the outboard brake pad that is on the back side of the brake rotor. Pry the outboard brake pad back and forth until the caliper is loose enough to remove from the rotor.

5

Pull the caliper off of the top of the brake rotor and hang it to one of the suspension components behind the wheel hub assembly with a bungee cord. Pull the brake pads out of the caliper. Inspect the brake pads for excessive wear. Also, inspect the brake rotor for excessive wear and grooving. Replace the brake pads and the brake rotor, as needed. Move to the passenger side front wheel and repeat the same process to release the brake pads from the rotor.

Releasing the Rear Brake Shoes

6

Slide under the driver's side rear of the truck and locate the adjustment hole on the lower part of the brake shoe backing plate. The adjustment hole will have a rubber plug inside of it. Pry the rubber plug out of the hole with the tip of a flathead screwdriver.

7

Shine the flashlight through the adjustment hole and locate the start gears on the brake shoe adjuster. Push the gears one at a time counterclockwise with the screwdriver until the brake shoes have fully retracted away from the inside of the brake drum. Use the flashlight to inspect the movement of the brake shoes, if needed. This process will release the brake shoes from the brake drum.

8

Move over to the front of the driver's side rear wheel and pull the brake drum off of the hub with your hands. If the drum is stuck, use a hand held sledge hammer to tap the back of the drum until it is loose. Pull the drum off and place it on the ground.

9

Inspect the brake shoes and the brake drum for damage such as excessive grooving or excessive wear. Replace the shoes and the drum if needed.

10

Move to the passenger side rear wheel and repeat the same process to free the brake shoes from the brake drums.