How to Replace the Front Brakes on a Chevrolet S-10

The Chevrolet S-10 series pickup trucks and its variants have a front disk braking braking system with rotors, calipers and braking pads. The rotors and pads are easily replaceable, and should take the average backyard mechanic about 30 minutes per wheel.

Instructions

1

Remove the wheel to expose the brakes. Loosen the nuts with the tire iron, then jack up the wheel and remove it completely. There will be a rotor visible, with the caliper holding the pads off to one side.

2

Remove the brake caliper's bolts with the sized socket. They are located on the rear of the caliper, one on each end. Once they are removed, slide the caliper halfway off of the rotor and attach a C-clamp so that the pad does not come off and the caliper is not allowed to expand. The other pad can also be held this way, but only one is required to prevent the caliper from expanding.

3

Remove the caliper by sliding it off of the rotor. The caliper can be positioned onto the control arm so that it does not dangle from the rubber brake lines, which could damage them.

4

Remove the rotor by pulling it away from the hub. Without the wheel and caliper holding it in place, it is free to slide out. On some models it is necessary to remove the wheel bearing cap before the rotor will be completely freed.

5

Replace the rotor by sliding it back over the hub assembly and replacing the wheel bearing cap. This is a good time to check the wheel bearing grease level, if applicable.

6

Replace the brake pads on the caliper. Unfasten the clamps and quickly swap out the pads, placing the caliper with new pads onto the rotor before the caliper expands. It pushes out slowly, but after about 10 or 15 seconds, it will be too tight to fit onto the rotor, taking considerable effort to press back in.

7

Bolt the caliper into place, then apply brake squeal spray onto the back side of each brake pad. Do not apply this spray to the rotor; apply it only to the rear of the pads where they meet the caliper.

8

Bleed the brake line. Uncap the master cylinder and pour DOT-3 fluid into it as someone pushes on the brakes with the bleeder nipple unscrewed. This will clear the brake line of air and replace bad fluid as well.

9

Replace the wheel and tighten the lug nuts with the tire iron.