How to Change the Brake Rotors on a 2007 Chevy 1500

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was introduced in 1998, replacing the C/K series nameplate. The 2007 Chevrolet 1500 featured a 4.3-liter V-6 engine in the base model. A 4.8-liter V-8, two-versions of a 5.3-liter V-8 and a 6.0-liter V-8 were all upgraded options in the 2007 Chevrolet 1500 series. The rotors on the 2007 Chevrolet 1500 can become thin or pitted over time, depending on the severity of the conditions each driver faces in the truck. When replacing the rotors, always install a new set of brake pads to ensure even braking.

Instructions

1

Raise the hood of the truck. Check the brake fluid reservoir. Remove fluid using a turkey baster or hand siphon, until the fluid is about a half inch below the "Full" mark on the reservoir. The fluid will be displaced in your brake lines when you add new rotors and pads, and the reservoir will fill back up.

2

Loosen the front lug nuts with a tire iron. Raise the front of the truck with a jack. Place jack stands beneath the front sub-frame rails, just inward from the lower control arms. Do not support the truck using the control arms. Remove the front lug nuts then remove the wheels completely from the vehicle.

3

Remove the caliper bolts from the rear of the caliper, using a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and a socket. Use pliers to help pull the bolts by the head. Remove the caliper using a small pry bar, if necessary. Hang the caliper from the front coil spring with a metal clothes hanger or rod.

4

Remove the caliper bracket bolts from the steering knuckle, using a 1/2-inch drive ratchet and socket. Remove the caliper bracket and the attached brake pads from the steering knuckle. Remove the front rotor from the truck and set it outside your work area.

5

Insert one of the old brake pads against the caliper piston, on the inside of the caliper. Place a large C-clamp around the old brake pad and the outside rear of the caliper. Tighten the C-clamp slowly to compress the caliper piston completely into the caliper. Remove the old brake pad and C-clamp when the caliper is compressed.

6

Install a new rotor onto the wheel hub of the truck. Spin a lug nut on one of the wheel studs by hand to secure the rotor in place temporarily. Install the caliper bracket over the rotor and onto the steering knuckle. Install and tighten the caliper bracket bolts to 105-foot-pounds of torque, with a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and socket.

7

Install new brake pads into the caliper bracket. There are two types of pads in a set. One type has an "L" shaped metal bracket called a wear indicator. Place the wear indicator pad on the inboard (toward the engine) side of the rotor. Place the non-wear indicator pad on the outboard side of the rotor. Add a thin layer of caliper grease to the metal backing plates on both pads, to eliminate preliminary brake squealing as your pads and rotors are worn in.

8

Place the compressed caliper over the new pads and rotor. Dip your caliper bolts directly into the tub of caliper grease, to thoroughly coat them with the grease. These bolts serve a double function in holding the calipers on, as well as being the caliper slide pins. Thorough lubrication will help ensure your new brakes wear evenly. Insert the caliper bolts and tighten them to 74-foot-pounds, using the torque wrench and a socket.

9

Repeat Steps 3 through 8 to complete the pad and rotor replacement on the second side of the truck. Double check your torque on all of the caliper bolts and caliper bracket bolts, once you have installed the second brake assembly. Remove the single lug nut which you placed against the face of the rotor.

10

Install the front wheels onto the truck. Tighten the lug nuts snug with a tire iron. Raise the truck off of the jack stands, and remove the stands from beneath the truck. Lower the truck to the ground and tighten the front wheel lug nuts to 140-foot-pounds of torque, using the torque wrench and a wheel nut socket.

11

Proceed immediately to the driver's seat of the truck. Pump the brake pedal five times consecutively. If the brake pedal goes to the floor of the truck after five pumps of the brakes, stop pumping and bleed the front lines. If the pedal begins to stiffen after five pumps, pump the brakes five to ten more times, to ensure the brake pads set on the new rotors tightly.