How to Change Brake Pads on a 1991 S10 Truck

The front brake pads on a vehicle need to be changed at 80,000 miles; you may need to change the brakes sooner if you do a lot of hard braking. The 1991 model of the Chevy S10 truck uses brake calipers (called Teves calipers) that store the brake pads themselves rather than in the caliper mounting bracket. This will require more specific tools than other vehicles, like an Allen wrench instead of a regular wrench.

Instructions

Siphon out at least two-thirds of the brake fluid from the master cylinder reservoir using a turkey baster that has never been used for any other task. Dispose of the fluid according to local ordinances.

Raise the truck's front end and support it on jack stands and then remove the front wheels using the truck's tire iron.

Compress the brake caliper piston so it bottoms out in its bore--use a C-clamp installed so the clamp's solid frame is against the caliper's back and the driving screw is against the outboard pad's center backing plate.

Remove the two mounting bolts for the caliper with your Allen wrench and remove the caliper from the disc.

Pull the outer and inner brake pads from within the caliper. The inner pad is held within the caliper piston with a spring clip; remove the clip from the piston if it doesn't come out with the pad, or remove it from the pad if it does.

Transfer the spring clip onto the backing plate of the replacement inner brake pad and then install the pad in the caliper.

Install the outer pad within the caliper, making sure the pad's top ears are over the caliper's ears and the pad's bottom tab is engaged in the caliper cutout.

Remove the ear sleeves and bushings from the bolt holes. Clean them and lubricate them with silicone lubricant and then re-install them.

Place the brake caliper back on the disc, making sure the caliper's holes line up with the ones on the mounting bracket, and apply the mounting bolts. If you can use a torque wrench with an Allen socket, tighten the bolts to 37 foot-pounds.

Compress the ears of the brake pads against the caliper using channel lock pliers so there is no clearance between the caliper and pads.

Reconnect the wheels to the truck after changing the pads on both sides of the truck and then lower it off the jack stands.

Fill the brake master cylinder with fresh brake fluid to the reservoir's Maximum line using the turkey baster.

Press the brake pedal multiple times until it feels firm.