Nitrile Gloves
Brake Pads
Brake Rotors
Sockets
Ratchets
Breaker Bar
Screwdriver
Jack and Jack Stand
Brake Caliper Hanger
Brake Caliper Compressor Tool
Brake Caliper Grease
Wire Brush
Brake Parts Cleaner
Shop Towels
Brake Bleeder
Today, we’ll be changing the pads and rotors on this 2009 Silverado 1500, but you’ll find this job is very similar on any Silverado from 2007 to 2014. Remember, if you’re not completely comfortable doing this yourself, we’d be happy to recommend a professional technician in your area.
Step 1: Loosen Front Tire Lug Nuts
Park on a level surface. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels with your 22 mm socket.
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Do It Right: You may have to remove a plastic wheel or lug nut covers. |
Step 2: Jack Up Your Vehicle
Jack up the front end and put it on stands.
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Do It Right: To make sure you jack your vehicle up safely, check out this how to video: How to Safely Jack Up Your Vehicle. |
Step 3: Remove Wheel
Remove the lug nuts completely and then remove the wheel.
Step 4: Remove Retaining Pin
If your rotor has a retaining pin, use a hex tool to remove. In your case, it’s a T30.
Step 5: Remove Brake Caliper Bolts
Use your 19mm socket to remove the two brake caliper bolts.
Step 6: Remove Brake Caliper
Remove the brake caliper and place it on a caliper hanger.
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Do It Right: If your caliper can be removed without prying against the rotor, this can help prevent over-machining the rotor if you’re intending to resurface it. If you’re replacing the rotor with a new one, this doesn’t need to be a consideration. |
Step 7: Remove Brake Pads
Remove the brake pads from the brake caliper bracket. Take a minute to visually inspect the pads for abnormal wear. If you’re replacing them with BrakeBest pads, the box has a brake pad wear chart for reference.
Step 8: Remove Brake Caliper Bracket Bolts
Remove the brake clips. Use your 18mm socket to remove the two brake caliper bracket bolts.
Step 9: Remove Brake Caliper Bracket
Remove the brake caliper bracket from the brake rotor.
Step 10: Slide off Brake Rotor
You should now be able to slide off the brake rotor.
Step 11: Clean Wheel Hub
Use a wire brush to clean the wheel hub of any rust or debris.
Step 12: Clean Brake Caliper Bracket
Clean the brake caliper bracket with brake cleaner where the brake pad hardware clips and brake pads will sit. Clean the brake caliper bracket guide pins and holes with brake cleaner. Apply 100% silicone grease to the guide pins.
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Do It Right: Any time you use brake cleaner, remember that it will strip paint, so be very careful where you spray it. |
Step 13: Wipe down New Brake Rotor
Wipe down new brake rotor with brake cleaner to remove protective coating.
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Do It Right: Be careful not to get brake cleaner on the pads or the part of the rotor not contacted by the pads to help prevent rust. |
Step 14: Wash Brake Rotor with Soap and Water
It’s also a good idea to wash the rotors with soap and water to remove any fine particles leftover from the factory machining process. These particles can be embedded in the brake pad and cause noise.
Step 15: Place New Brake Rotor on Wheel Hub
Place the new rotor on the wheel hub and use a lug nut or retaining pin to keep it in place.
Step 16: Reinstall Brake Caliper Bracket
Reinstall the brake caliper bracket and torque it to 129 foot pounds.
Step 17: Clean Caliper Pistons
Now, clean the exposed portion of your caliper piston with brake cleaner on a shop towel or rag. If the rubber boot is cracked or if there is brake fluid leaking, the caliper needs to be replaced.
Step 18: Attach Bleeder Tool to Caliper
Attach your one-man bleeder tool and open the bleeder valve by turning it counter-clockwise.
Step 19: Compress Brake Caliper
Compress the brake caliper with a C-clamp or brake caliper compressor tool. Use an old brake pad to protect the pistons. When you’re done, the piston should be flush with the housing.
Step 20: Re-tighten Bleeder Valve
Re-tighten the bleeder valve, being careful not to let any air into the line.
Step 21: Apply Grease to Brake Pads
Now, apply grease to the back and ears of the new brake pads. Be careful not to get brake grease on the pad or rotor friction surfaces.
Step 22: Reinstall Brake Clips
Reinstall brake clips to the brake caliper bracket.
Step 23: Install New Brake Pads
Insert the brake pads into the brake caliper bracket.
Step 24: Reinstall Brake Caliper
Once the brake pads are in the brake caliper bracket, reinstall the brake caliper. Make sure the brake hose is not twisted. Use a 19mm wrench and socket to tighten down the caliper bolts. Torque to 74 foot pounds.
Step 25: Reinstall Wheel
Reinstall the wheel and hand tighten the lug nut so that it’s flush against the rotors.
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Do It Right: Except in unusual circumstances, you should always change pads and rotors in pairs, so repeat these steps on the other side. |
Step 26: Lower Vehicle and Tighten Lug Nuts
Lower the vehicle. Use 22mm socket to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Torque to 140 foot pounds.
What to Do Before Driving
Once the job is complete, before you drive anywhere, be sure to pump your brake pedal several times until you feel the pressure return. It should feel the way it did before the brake job.
Some brake fluid was pushed out when you compressed your pistons, so check your master cylinder and add fluid as needed.
If your brake pedal does feel spongy, you probably have air in one or both of your front brake lines. Here’s a link to a video on how to bleed those lines to remove the air.
To help break in the new components, it’s a good idea to test drive your vehicle, slowing it fifteen to twenty times from fifty to thirty miles per hour with moderate brake pressure, allowing the brakes to cool in between each slowdown. Try to avoid aggressive stops during this break-in process. Your brakes will probably smell after you’ve done this, and that’s okay. If the odor persists past five hundred miles or so, or if you have excessive dust on one wheel, you may have a stuck caliper.
The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.