How to Replace Brake Pads on a Chevy Truck

Chevrolet kept the same brake pad replacement process on all of its trucks. The brake pads are the two main components that bring the truck to a stop. The braking system is designed to compress the inner and outer brake pads to the inner and outer sections of the brake rotor. When the brake pads have been fully applied to the inner and outer sections of the brake rotor, the truck will come to a safe and complete stop. The brake pads have to be replaced before the pads wear down to the wear indicators.

Instructions

Park the Chevy truck in a area where the surface is flat and level. Push the emergency brake in to keep the truck from rolling.

Loosen the lug nuts from both front wheels with a tire tool or a lug wrench.

Slide the floor jack up under the front of the Chevy truck and jack the truck up from the front cross frame that is under the motor. When the truck is high enough, put the jack stands under the jacking points behind each front wheel on both sides of the truck. Then, lower the truck onto the jack stands and leave the jack in place as extra security.

Finish unscrewing the lug nuts from the front driver-side wheel and pull the wheel off. Set the wheel face down so that it does not roll off.

Look on the side of the brake rotor and you will see the brake caliper. Insert the small pry bar into the top window of the caliper and pry it back and forth. This will loosen the caliper's grip on the brake rotor.

Look on the rear of the brake caliper and locate the two upper and lower 3/8-inch Allen-head bolts. Some of the older Chevrolet trucks may have regular bolts. Remove these bolts with the 3/8-inch Allen wrench or the appropriate-size socket and ratchet. Then, slide the caliper off the rotor and hang it on the nearest component with a small rope.

Pull the inner brake pad out of the caliper. Then, slide the jaws of the large channel-lock pliers over the outer brake pad and the caliper housing. Compress the cylinder into the caliper housing by squeezing the pliers together. Compress the cylinder slowly so that no air will get into the brake lines.

Remove the pliers and remove any shims or other brake pad accessories. Then, install the new brake pads, shims and accessories into the brake caliper. Remove the rope from the caliper and slide the caliper back onto the side of the brake rotor.

Line up the caliper bolt holes to the caliper housing. Screw the two upper and lower bolts back into the rear of the caliper. Tighten the caliper bolts down tight with the 3/8-inch Allen wrench or the ratchet and socket.

Slide the wheel back onto the hub and screw the lug nuts onto the lugs. Tighten the lugs with the tire tool. Then, follow the same above instructions for replacing the brake pads on the front passenger side of the Chevy truck.

Jack the truck back up from the cross frame and remove the jack stands. Slowly lower the truck back to the ground.

Finish tightening the lug nuts down very tight with the tire tool or the lug wrench.

Crank the engine and slowly pump the brakes in and out six or seven times to fit the new brake pads to the brake rotor. Then, turn the engine off.

Open the hood and remove the brake fluid reservoir lid. Check the brake fluid level. If the level is low, add the brake fluid until full and then put the lid back on and close the hood.