How to Remove Front Brake Pads on a 2005 GMC Yukon

In 1992, GMC released its new full-sized SUV, the Yukon, which the maker based off its line of full-sized pickups. In 1995, Chevrolet added the Tahoe, the fraternal twin of the Yukon, to its lineup. In 2000, GMC redesigned its pickups, which brought about a redesign of the Yukon. The 2005 model year --- one year away from another redesign --- came in two sizes, standard and a slightly larger XL model. Replacing the front brake pads on the 2005 Yukon and Yukon XL is the same process, only a few torque values differ.

Instructions

1

Remove the master cylinder's lid, and siphon out about half of the fluid from the master cylinder, using a clean turkey baster. Transfer the brake fluid to a small container.

2

Loosen the Yukon's front lug nuts, using a ratchet and socket, and raise the front of the SUV with a floor jack. Position jack stands under the Yukon's frame rails and lower the vehicle onto the jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheels from the Yukon.

3

Position an 8-inch C-clamp over the brake caliper, so the screw part touches the outer brake pad and the fixed part touches the inner part of the caliper. Tighten the C-clamp until it stops moving; this compresses the caliper's internal piston.

4

Remove the two caliper-to-bracket bolts, using a ratchet and socket. Pull the caliper off the bracket, and suspend it from a nearby suspension component, using a bungee strap.

5

Pull the brake pads from the caliper bracket and discard them. Pull the caliper clips --- the thin metal clips on above and below the pads --- from the caliper bracket.

6

Remove the two caliper bracket bolts, using a ratchet and socket, and pull the caliper from the SUV's steering knuckle. Pull the rotor from the Yukon's front hub. If the rotor does not pull off easily, lightly tap the rear of the rotor with a rubber mallet to free it.

7

Inspect the rotor for any defects, including excessive wear, glazing, hot spotting or grinding. If any defects exist, replace the rotor with a new one.

8

Set the rotor on the Yukon's front hub and set the caliper bracket on the steering knuckle. Tighten the two caliper bracket bolts to 121 foot-pounds on a standard Yukon and 221 foot-pounds on a Yukon XL, using a torque wrench and socket.

9

Press new brake pad clips --- included with the brake pads --- on the caliper bracket; the pad clips are asymmetrical, so they only fit one way. Set the new brake pads in the caliper bracket --- the inner pad has one wear indicator and the outer pad has two wear indicators.

10

Set the brake caliper in place on the caliper bracket, and tighten the caliper bolts to 80 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

11

Repeat Steps 3 through 10 for the brake pads on the other side of the Yukon.

12

Reinstall the front wheels on the Yukon, and hand-tighten the front lug nuts. Raise the vehicle off the jack stands, using a floor jack. Remove the jack stands from under the vehicle and lower it to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts to 140 foot-pounds, in a crisscross pattern, using a torque wrench and socket.

13

Press and release the brake pedal until it feels firm. Refill the brake master cylinder with DOT 3 brake fluid until the level reaches the "Max" line on the master cylinder. Press the lid onto the master cylinder.

14

Take the old brake fluid to a used automotive fluid recycling center. Many auto parts stores take old fluids free of charge.