How to Replace 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer 6 Cylinder EXT Disc Brake Pads

The 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer six-cylinder EXT uses front disc brake pads and either rear disc brake pads or rear drum brakes (which uses brake shoes as friction material). The braking system is quite similar to the S-10 Chevrolet Blazer, Oldsmobile Bravada, the GMC Jimmy and Envoy and the Buick Rainier. While these vehicles use different brake pads in the four-wheel and two-wheel drive models, the procedure to replace them is basically the same.

Instructions

Park the Trailblazer on a hard, level surface and then open the hood and remove half of the brake fluid from the master cylinder using a brake fluid turkey baster. Discard the old fluid and then apply the parking brake. Replace the master cylinder cover securely.

Place a wheel wedge behind one of the rear tires.

Remove the lug nut caps with the Trailblazer's lug wrench.

Loosen the lug nuts with a the lug wrench by turning them counterclockwise just enough to break them loose on the lug studs away from the rims.

Hoist the SUV with a hydraulic jack placed under the front frame rail and then lower it onto a jack stand. Repeat for the other side so the front end of the Trailblazer is elevated.

Turn the ignition key one click forward to unlock the steering wheel without activating the electrical components (which may kill or drain the battery if left turned on during the brake pad replacement). Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right to replace the left front brake pads first (and then reverse the wheel when it's time to replace the right front brake brake pads).

Remove the lug nuts and then remove the wheels.

Place the C-clamp over the caliper housing so the top of the clamp is on the inside caliper housing and the drive of the clamp is located on the backing plate of the outboard pad. Slowly tighten the clamp until the piston of the caliper is fully seated in the piston bore.

Use the ratchet and a 3/8-inch hex-head socket bit to remove the upper and lower caliper guide bolts by turning them counterclockwise.

Remove the caliper and rest it on top of the knuckle so it does not hang from the rubber brake hose.

Remove the outboard pad (it may fall out of the caliper housing) and then remove the inboard pad by pulling the retaining clip and pad from the hollow caliper piston.

Insert the new inboard pad (with retaining clip) into the hollow piston of the caliper and then insert the outboard pad into the inner housing of the caliper.

Place the caliper and pads assembly over the rotor and caliper mount assembly and allow it to rest in place.

Clean the smooth section of the caliper guide pins on a wire brush wheel of a bench grinder and then align them through the caliper and hand-thread them into the knuckle. Tighten the caliper guide bolts with the 3/8-inch hex-head socket bit and a torque wrench to 45 ft-lbs.

Repeat steps 8 through 14 (after turning the steering wheel as illustrated in Step 7) on the other front wheel and then replace the tires and lug nuts. Snug the lug nuts to the rim and hub assembly with the lug wrench.

Lower the Trailblazer one side at a time (after using the jack to kift it high enough to remove each jack stand) and then tighten the lug nuts with the torque wrench and a socket in a star pattern to 100 ft-lbs. Replace the lug nut caps.

Pump the foot brake pedal until it feels firm and then check the fluid level in the master cylinder. If necessary add new DOT3 brake fluid to the fill lines of the dual-chambered master cylinder. Replace the cap.

Release the parking brake, remove the wheel wedge and then test-drive the Trailblazer for proper braking response.