How to Change the Brake Rotors on a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado Truck

You need to replace the brake rotors or discs on your Chevrolet Silverado truck if they have any grooves or cracks. You must also replace them if they are worn down past the minimum thickness; the minimum thickness is imprinted on the rotor, and a micrometer will measure the current thickness. Since the brakes and their pads need to be equal on both sides of the truck, you need to replace both of the rotors together; you also need to replace the brake pads at the same time.

Instructions

Removal

1

Siphon at least two-thirds of the brake fluid out of the brake master cylinder reservoir using a turkey baster, syringe bottle or other siphon tool that has never been used before. Dispose of this fluid as allowed by your local laws,

2

Raise the truck's front or rear end and support it on jack stands. Remove the wheels.

3

Compress the brake caliper's pistons back into their bores using a C-clamp. Watch the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir as you compress the piston and siphon out more fluid if necessary to prevent it from overflowing.

4

Unscrew the brake caliper bolts with a wrench and remove the caliper; hang the caliper from the frame with a strong wire; don't let it hang by the hose.

5

Pull the brake pads out of the caliper mounting bracket and dispose of them.

6

Unbolt and remove the caliper mounting bracket using the wrench.

7

Clip off any pressed washers installed on the wheel studs using cutting pliers. Slide the brake rotor off the hub.

Installation

8

Slide the replacement brake rotor onto the wheel studs. You will not need to install any replacement washers on the studs if you removed any old ones.

9

Connect the caliper mounting bracket to the rotor, tightening its mounting bolts to 129 foot pounds (221 foot pounds on models other than the 1500) with a torque wrench.

10

Install the replacement brake pads into the caliper mounting bracket.

11

Connect the caliper to the mounting bracket and tighten its mounting bolts with the torque wrench (74 foot pounds on a 1500, 80 for other models).

12

Reinstall the wheels and lower the truck after changing the rotors that needed replacing.

13

Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid.

14

Apply the brake pedal multiple times until it feels firm, re-seating the brake pads against the rotors.