How to Remove the Brake Pads From a 2001 Chevy Silverado

The 2001 Chevy Silverado uses a floating rotor in its wheel setup; this means that the rotor is installed over the hub bearings and held on by the wheel studs and lug nuts. The caliper is mounted to a bracket bolted to the knuckle. It is highly advisable to measure the thickness of the rotor every time the brakes are replaced, and either machine or replace the existing rotor. This will provide the new brake pads with a smooth surface, thus maximizing brake performance.

Instructions

1

Loosen all the lug nuts one turn, using the lug wrench. Raise the front of the truck with the floor jack and place the jack stands under the frame, just behind the front wheels. Lower the truck so that it rests on the stands. Continue removing the now-loose lug nuts from the wheel, and remove the wheel and tire assembly.

2

Loosen the brake caliper bleeder screw -- the one with a hole in it on the top inside-rear of the caliper, using a wrench. Insert the common screwdriver through the center hole in the caliper and place the blade between the inside brake pad and the rotor. Pry the inside pad and the caliper piston back into its bore. Close the bleeder screw.

3

Remove the caliper-mounting bolts, using a number 27 Torx bit and ratchet. Lift the caliper off the rotor and suspend the caliper from the coil spring with a suitable piece of wire. Pull the brake pads off the caliper-mounting bracket lips.

4

Remove the caliper-mounting bracket by extracting the two bolts that secure it to the knuckle, using a socket. Pull the rotor off the hub. After machining or replacement, install it the same way. Remove the old spring silencers on the mounting bracket lips and install the new silencers included with the pads.

5

Install the brake pads on the caliper-mounting bracket and use your hand to squeeze the pads against the rotor. Spread some anti-seize compound on the shaft of the caliper-retaining bolts because they also act as sliders for the caliper. Install the caliper and mounting bolts and torque them to 80 foot-pounds of torque with the Torx bit.

6

Install the wheel and spin the lug nuts on as far as possible, by hand or with the lug wrench. The tire will turn if you try to torque the lug nuts while the tire is in the air. Raise the truck and remove the jack stands, then lower the truck to the ground. Torque the wheels to 120 foot-pounds of torque.

7

Raise the hood, remove the brake master cylinder reservoir cap and fill it will brake fluid, as necessary, to bring it to the full mark. Reinstall the cap. Start the truck and very slowly pump the brake pedal 10 times, all the way to the floor, to adjust the brakes before attempting to move the truck.