How to Install Rear Brake Rotors on a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Installing rear brake rotors on your Trailblazer is an easy do-it-yourself repair. The brake rotors should be serviced regularly if you use the truck to tow, or do a lot of traveling during the year. Damage to rear brake rotors often occurs because of worn out front brake pads, which forces the rear breaks and rotors to work harder to stop the truck. Changing the rear rotors yourself can be done safely in the driveway. The repair from start to finish will take up to two hours to complete.

Instructions

Removing the Rear Brake Rotor

1

Pop the center cap off of the tire's rim with the flat head screwdriver. Set it to the side of the work area out of the way. Grab your lug wrench and crack each one of the tire's lug nuts. Don't take them off--loosen them only slightly.

2

Slowly raise the truck with the car jack. The tire should be at least 8 inches off of the ground. Slide the jack stand into position slightly to the left of the car jack. Raise the jack stand so it is at the same height as the car jack and slide the locking pin back in to secure it. Don't remove the car jack--leave it in place for extra support.

3

Remove the lug nuts from the tire's rim one at a time. When you get to the last lug nut, hold the tire into position so that it doesn't stress the hub bolts. Slowly remove the tire, while checking to make sure your car jack and the jack stand are sturdy.

4

Remove the two inner bolts on the brake caliper bracket using your socket wrench. Do not remove the brake calipers bolts. Set the bolts to the side on a clean surface. Place the 5-gallon bucket right near you. Using both hands, carefully slide the caliper unit off of the rotor and set it down on the bucket.

5

Slide the rotor off of the hub slowly. If the rotor is stuck, use the rubber hammer to give it a few taps on the back side. Using both hands to twist the rotor forward and backward also works.

Reinstalling the Rotor

6

Compare the new rotor with the old rotor to assure they are the same. Also check to make sure the bolt patterns are the same on both of the rotors. Check the new brake rotor for any damage that you can readily see like scratches or cracks as well.

7

Slide the new rotor back onto the hub, the exact way you removed the old brake rotor.

8

Carefully lift the brake caliper unit and slide it back onto the brake rotor. Start each of the two bolts by hand to assure the caliper unit won't misalign. Tighten each bolt one quarter turn past hand tight.

9

Slide the tire and rim back on the hub carefully. Return each of the tire's lug nuts by hand. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern with the lug wrench. Once they're all hand tight, give them all one more half turn.

10

Remove the jack stand and lower the truck so that the tire is just barely touching the ground. Tighten each lug nut again, one half turn. Safely lower the truck, remove the car jack and place the center cap back on. Start the car and pump the brakes a few times to firm them up. When you feel the brake pedal stiffen stop pumping the brakes immediately. This method can be use for both rear brake rotors on your Trailblazer.