How to Put Rear Brake Pads on a 2003 Silverado 2500 HD Diesel

The Silverado 2500 HD is Chevrolet's heavy-duty -ton diesel pickup for the 2003 model year. As such, the Silverado HD 2500 has larger than normal brake rotors, calipers and pads. While the brake components are larger than those on the light-duty trucks, their operation and maintenance needs remain the same. You can expect to replace rear brake pads because of normal wear about twice as often as you replace the front pads. Anyone with basic auto-repair skills can put rear brake pads on a 2003 Silverado 2500 HD diesel.

Instructions

1

Shove the wheel chocks against the Silverado HD's front and rear tire tread on the left-front wheel to prevent the truck from rolling. Loosen the rear lug nuts with a lug wrench.

2

Lift the back of the Silverado HD with the floor jack. Lower it onto the jack stands, which you should place under the rear axle, just inboard of the leaf spring shackles. Take off the rear lug nuts and wheels by hand.

3

Place the drip pan under the Silverado HD's right-rear brake assembly. Rinse away the brake dust from the rotor and caliper using brake cleaner.

4

Unbolt the Silverado's right-rear brake caliper with the socket set. Lift the caliper from the caliper mount. Remove the old brake pads by hand.

5

Wash the inside of the Silverado's right-rear caliper with brake cleaner. Push the pistons back into the caliper body with the caliper tool. Lube the slide pins with white lithium grease before inserting the new pads by hand.

6

Set the caliper into the mount manually. Bolt it in place with the socket set.

7

Slide over to the Silverado HD's left-rear and perform steps three through six on that side. Reinstall the Silverado's rear wheels and lug nuts manually.

8

Lift the back of the Silverado HD with the floor jack, then remove the jack stands and lower the truck fully. Tighten the lug nuts to 140 foot-pounds with the torque wrench. Move the wheel chocks away from the Silverado's left-front wheel.