How to Change the Rear BrakePads on a Chevy Silverado

Brake pads are an important part of your Chevy Silverado's braking system. They are the replaceable friction pads that pinch the brake disc or drum when the brakes are applied. You should replace the brake pads before they wear beyond a 1/4 inch, or risk damaging your Silverado's brake discs.

Instructions

Remove the Rear Brake Pads

1

Park your car on a level surface. Set the parking brake. Place blocks in front of the front tires so the car does not move while you are working on it.

2

Open the hood of your car. Locate the master cylinder and remove about 2/3 of the brake fluid. A turkey baster is a good tool for this.

3

Raise the rear end of your Silverado with your car jack. Remove the rear tire or wheel assembly.

4

Remove the caliper bolts from the back of the caliper. Slide the caliper off of the disc brake and suspend it near the disc brake with a small bungee cord or coat hanger. Suspend the caliper housing so that you do not damage the brake hose.

5

Take the brake pads out of the caliper. Remove the clips from inside of the caliper mounting bracket.

Install Rear Brake Pads

6

Connect the clips to the inside of the caliper. Place the inner and outer brake pads in the caliper. Attach the caliper mounting bracket to the backing plate assembly.

7

Prepare the mounting bolts for installation. Remove the any adhesive left by the adhesive patch. Clean the mounting bolt threads with brake parts cleaner and allow to dry. Apply red Loctite272 to the mounting bolt threads.

8

Install the caliper mounting bracket bolts to the steering knuckle. Tighten the bolts to 148 foot pounds (200 Nm) on the 15 series; 122 foot pounds (165 Nm) on the 25 series.

9

Put the caliper back in place and tighten the bolts to 80 foot pounds (108 Nm).

10

Replace the wheel assembly (tire). Lower the car to the ground. Pump the brake pedal a few times to seat the brake pads. Do this before trying to move your car.

11

Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder container. Add fluid to the container as needed.