Directions to Change the Front Brake Pads on a '95 Chevrolet Suburban

The Chevrolet Suburban is the largest sport utility vehicle (SUV) manufactured by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. The Suburban is built upon the same frame as the Chevrolet Silverado and uses the same powertrain as the pickup. This means the Suburban uses large disc brakes to stop the vehicle on the front wheels. Changing these brakes involves swapping the old brake pads for new brake pads. The whole process can be completed in a single afternoon.

Instructions

Getting to the brakes

1

Park the Suburban on a level and solid surface, like a concrete garage floor and engage the parking brake.

2

Loosen the lug nuts on both front tires using the tire iron.

3

Lift the front of the Suburban by the front frame cross-member using the floor jack.

4

Place a jack stand under the frame just behind the wheel wells and then lower the front of the Suburban onto the jack stands.

5

Use the tire iron to fully remove the lug nuts and the front tires.

Changing the brake pads

6

Loosen the outer set of bolts on the back of the disc brake assembly using the ratchet and 15mm sockets.

7

Remove the inner set of bolts using the ratchet and socket.

8

Slide the screw driver between the brake assembly and the brake rotor and pry the brake assembly upwards, off the brake rotor.

9

Fully remove the outer set of bolts to separate the brake caliper from the brake pads and brake assembly.

10

Use the handle of the ratchet or the screw driver to knock the brake pads out of the brake assembly.

11

Clean the rust and debris off the brake assembly using the wire brush.

12

Smear a little bit of graphite lubricant on the brake pad tracks on the assembly.

13

Clip the new brake hardware clips into the brake pad tracks.

14

Slide the new brake pads into the brake pad tracks on top of the brake hardware clips and with the pads facing inward.

15

Slide the brake assembly over the brake rotor and screw in the bolts to hold it in place.

16

Place the brake caliper back over the brake assembly and insert the caliper pins (outer bolts) then tight both the inner and outer bolts with the ratchet as tight as possible.

Putting everything back together

17

Change the brake pads on the other side of the Suburban.

18

Place the tires back on each axle and screw on the lug nuts evenly.

19

Lift the front of the Suburban using the floor jack and remove the jack stands.

20

Lower the Suburban to the ground.

21

Tighten all of the lug nuts using the tire iron.