How to Replace the Brake Pads on a 1999 Chevy S10

When a 1999 Chevy S10 squeals while applying the brakes, it could be a sign that the brake pads need replaced. The pads have a wear indicator that is a metal tab that hangs just below the pad. The wear indicator will start to rub against the rotor when enough pad has been worn away. The squealing sound is by design and can indicate pads soon should be replaced before serious damage occurs.

Instructions

Block the rear wheels of the truck. Loosen the lug nuts, raise the vehicle and support it with jack stands.

Remove the wheels by removing the loosened lug nuts. Set the lug nuts side and carefully roll the wheels aside.

Remove the brake reservoir cap and inspect the fluid level. If full, remove some of the fluid. Put on gloves and use a standard kitchen turkey baster or similar tool to remove about 4 ounces of brake fluid. Store the fluid in a suitable container for later disposal.

Using a C-clamp makes compressing the caliper piston easy.

Compress the caliper piston by using a large C-clamp. Place the clamp so the stationary side of the clamp is on the back of the caliper and the rotating part is located on the outboard pad. Tighten the clamp until the piston bottoms out. This will provide the necessary room to install the new and thicker pads.

Brake caliper with pads installed and loaded.

Remove the caliper by removing the two caliper bolts with a hex wrench. Grasp the caliper and pull it upward while tilting it front to back to remove it from the rotor. Tie it up and out of the way using a coat hanger or piece of wire.

Remove pads from the caliper and set them aside.

Clean the calipers using brake cleaner. Place a suitable container under rotor. Put on safety glasses and spray the caliper with brake cleaner. Pay special attention to the bolt sleeves and bushings. These need to be clean to allow movement as the pads wear.

Lubricate the sleeves and bushings using a silicone based grease. Do not get the grease on the rotors. Remove any excess grease.

Install the new brake pads. The inboard pads are side specific and have a wear indicator at one side of the pad. It should face the rear lower side of the caliper when installed correctly. If the wrong pad is installed, the wear indicator will be close to the top of the rotor. Switch pads to correct. Install the outboard pad.

Install the calipers with pads on the mounting bracket. Line up the the holes on the caliper to the holes on bracket. You may have to slide the sleeve back to accomplish this. Insert the bolts and tighten. You may have to shift the caliper to align holes.

Reinstall the wheel and tighten the lug nuts. Tighten each lug nut in a crisscross pattern until snug. Lower the vehicle and finish tightening lug nuts with a torque wrench. Over tightening or mismatched lug nut torque may warp the rotor resulting in a pulsation while stopping vehicle.

Check the brake reservoir fluid level and top it off if necessary with clean brake fluid. Reinstall the cover. Press the brake pedal firmly to seat the pads then recheck the brake fluid level.

Road test vehicle but before before driving ensure that the brake pedal feels firm and does not float to the floorboard. The brakes should feel firm without excessive pedal play. The vehicle should stop without excessive pedal force.