How to Repair the Front Disc Brakes on a 1998 Silverado 2500

Repairing the brakes on the Chevy Silverado is the same process whether you are changing them on the four-wheel drive, or the two-wheel drive. You can save money by doing the brakes yourself. Each wheel will take you about a half-hour to complete. You want to make sure you thoroughly inspect the brake rotors when you remove the pads. If you put new brake pads on rotors that have grooves etched into them, you will wear the new pads out much faster and the brakes may not be as effective.

Instructions

1

Park the Silverado on a level surface. Pop the hood on the engine compartment. Locate the master cylinder on the back firewall of the truck and siphon two-thirds of the brake fluid from it with the turkey baster. Place the fluid in the drain pan to recycle later. Insert wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Raise the Silverado with the automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the truck close to the jacking point and raise it to the frame. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench and pull the wheel from the truck.

2

Place the C-clamp on the brake caliper while it is still on the mounting bracket. Turn the handle on the C-clamp until the caliper forces the caliper piston back into the housing. Remove the caliper bolts with a socket and ratchet. Pull it from the wheel assembly. Remove the brake pads from the caliper. Clean the caliper surfaces with the wire brush.

3

Insert the new brake pads into the caliper. Place the caliper on the mounting bracket and tighten the bolts with the socket and ratchet. Place the wheel on the truck and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the Silverado. Lower the truck to the ground. Repeat the process on the other wheel.

4

Replace the brake fluid in the master cylinder and bring it to the recommended level. Pump the brakes until the pedal is firm.