How do I Replace Brakes on Chevrolet Silverado Trucks?

Chevrolet Silverado model trucks come with front and rear brake pads. The brake pads are responsible for stopping the Silverado by applying friction to the brake rotors. As the brake pedal is pushed in, the brake caliper compresses the pads to the brake rotor. The friction from the pads sliding against the turning rotor is what stops the truck. Replace the brake pads before they wear down to the wear indicators located inside of each brake pad.

Instructions

1

Park the Chevrolet Silverado in a work location with a level surface. Turn the motor off and open the hood.

2

Remove the cap from the brake fluid reservoir located near the brake master cylinder. Insert the brake fluid syringe into the brake fluid and suck out about half of the fluid in the reservoir. Put the lid back on and close the hood. Place the syringe full of fluid in a safe place.

3

Pry the center cap off of both front wheels with the flat-head screwdriver. Loosen all of the lug nuts from the front wheels with a tire tool or a lug wrench. Only turn the lug nuts about one quarter of a turn to loosen.

4

Slide the floor jack under the front of the Chevrolet Silverado and jack the front end up from a safe jacking location. Once the truck is high enough, place the safety stands under the side rails on both sides of the truck. Then, lower the floor jack until the truck is sitting securely on top of the stands. Leave the jack sitting jacked up under the truck.

5

Remove all of the lug nuts from both wheels and pull the wheels off of the wheel hubs. Place the wheels down flat on the level work surface.

6

Move to the driver side front brake caliper and locate the two guide pin bolts on the back of the caliper. Loosen and remove the bolts with the ratchet and a metric socket.

7

Locate the access opening on the side of the brake caliper. Slide the flat-head screwdriver into the opening and pry the outer brake pad against the caliper cylinder until the caliper is loose. Slide the caliper off the rotor and hang it on one of the steering components behind the wheel hub with a piece of rope.

8

Pry the inner brake pad out of the retaining clip inside the brake caliper. Position the 6-inch C-clamp inside the caliper so that the adjustment rod is facing the outer brake pad. Compress the outer brake pad against the caliper cylinder with the C-clamp until the cylinder has fully retracted inside the caliper. Unscrew the C-clamp and remove it from the caliper.

9

Pry the outer brake pad out of the retaining clip inside of the brake caliper. Position the new pads into the retaining clips inside the caliper. Make sure that the new pads are seated inside the retaining clips in the same direction as the old pads were in.

10

Inspect the brake rotor for damage. If the rotor has only a small amount of wear and grooves, take the rotor to a machine shop or auto shop to have the rotors turned. If the rotor has excessive cracks and grooves, replace the rotors with new rotors. Wait until all of the rotors have been inspected before having the rotors turned or replaced.

11

Remove the rope from the caliper and slide it back over the side of the rotor. Screw the two guide pin bolts back in place and tighten with the ratchet and socket. Put the wheel back on along with the lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts with the tire tool.

12

Move to the other three wheels and repeat the same exact steps to remove and replace the brake pads. After the brake pads have been replaced, jack the Chevrolet Silverado back up and pull the safety stands out. Lower the Silverado to the surface and remove the floor jack.

13

Open the hood and remove the brake fluid reservoir lid. Squirt the brake fluid back into the reservoir and put the lid back on. Close the hood.

14

Crank the Chevrolet Silverado and pump the brake pedal a couple of times to seat the brake pads to the brake rotors. Take the Chevrolet Silverado for a test drive to make sure that the new pads are working properly.