Having a Chevy Silverado is a perk, but it also requires the user to understand Chevy Silverado maintenance and repair works’ basics.
For a smoother drive and reliable experience, the user must know how to change brake pads and rotors on a Chevy Silverado.
Not only Chevy Silverado but every other vehicle requires the user to keep brake pads and rotors in perfect condition.
Brakes are the crucial parts of the automobile as you are going to use Chevy Silverado in rough driving conditions.
So you should be aware of the steps on how to change brake pads and rotors on Chevy Silverado.
With the right tools and guidance, you can easily change the rotors and pads of Chevy Silverado in your own garage.
However, the brake pads create resistance against the rotors that help to stop the fast-moving car. Worn out or poor braking pads and rotors will impact the brake performance of Chevy Silverado.
No matter what are braking pads are made of, a user needs to change the pads and rotors after a certain period. Brake pads and rotors generate instant heat that burns out the material.
If brake pads are not changed in a timely manner, the user may experience different issues regarding the performance of the Chevy Silverado.
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How to Change Brake Pads and Rotors on a Chevy Silverado: The Steps
When you start noticing the change in the performance of the brake pads, it’s time to install new brake pads and rotors.
In traffic or driving down on a steep track, you are most likely to face problems due to brake pads.
Some cars have a warning system about the health of the brake pads and the rotors, but the user will easily feel the change in the performance.
In this article, we are going to explore the complete process that is followed by expert mechanics and technicians to replace the brake pads and rotors on a Chevy Silverado.
Mechanics and auto repair shops can charge a handsome amount for the brake pad replacement, so doing it on your own can save you these additional costs.
The user only needs to buy the brake pads and rotors and this article will help the user to get the brake pads back to their original condition.
We are also going to discuss the required tools for the replacement of the brake pads, prices, and types of brake pads for Chevy Silverado.
Let’s get started with the project and learn how to change brake pads of rotors on a Chevy Silverado.
Here are some simple steps that the user needs to follow for the replacement of brake pads and rotors without any kind of professional assistance:
Step 01
We are going to divide the whole process into different steps and the first step is to remove the front wheels on Chevy Silverado so you can access and remove the brake pads.
The process of removing the wheels is pretty simple in all types of vehicles. Park Chevy Silverado on a flat surface and lift the vehicle with the jack.
Use the socket to loosen lug nuts and then remove the nuts. Make sure that you loosen the nuts before lifting the Chevy Silverado with the jack.
After removing the lug nuts, remove the wheel so you can access the brake pads. Removal of the wheel is time taking process but it is easy.
The user just needs to be extremely careful during the process of removing the wheel and make sure that the jack is perfectly balanced.
Step 02
The second step is removing the brake caliper and bracket after removing the wheel. During the whole process, Chevy Silverado should be lifted with the jack.
The user needs a flat-head rigid screwdriver to remove the front caliper. The user can also use the angled pry bar with a 14mm socket wrench.
Step 03
3rd step is to compress the front caliper piston and you need you will have to use a specific tool to compress the front caliper piston.
For the toolkit for front caliper compression, you need a brake bleeding kit, 10mm socket wrench, and drain pan.
Step 04
All of the previous steps were necessary to remove the old pads. In this step, you will be able to access the old brake pads after compressing the front caliper.
Removing the old brake pads is easy and removes other smaller components in the braking system. The owner can also remove the rotors here.
Step 05
We are all set to remove the old brake pads for Chevy Silverado and install the new ones.
This last stage is the most important step of the whole process on how to change the brake pads and rotors on a Chevy Silverado.
After the removal of the brake pads and the hardware, use a clean cloth or other chemicals to clean the caliper and remove all types of debris and rust from the caliper.
Now, take the new brake pads and get yourself prepared to install the new ones.
Installing the new brake pads, install the front caliper, and adjust all other hardware components that you have previously removed.
After careful installation of the hardware components and the brake pads, install the wheel. The whole process will take only 30 minutes if you have all the necessary tools and resources.
After the process of installation of the new brake pads, tighten the loosen nuts and lower the jack. Once the Chevy Silverado is on the surface, remove the jack and firmly tighten the nuts.
Mechanics will take more time for the whole process and you will also have to bear the cost of the repair work.
The primary purpose of the whole process is to improve the brake performance of the Chevy Silverado so never compromise on the quality of the brake pads.
At first, the replacement process of brake pads on Chevy Silverado may seem complicated and overwhelming, but you will find it quite easy once you are practically performing these steps.
Here are further details to know about different types of brake pads, the cost of the pads, and the tools required for removing and installing the brake pads and rotors on Chevy Silverado.
Let’s get to the next step of the process.
Tools Required for Changing Brake Pads on Chevy Silverado
The best thing about changing Chevy Silverado is that you don’t need to buy any type of expensive or specialized tools. Almost all the tools for changing brake pads are readily available in everyone’s personal garage.
You just need to use the available tools to remove the old hardware and install the new brake pads and rotors. Here are some necessary tools that are required for changing the brake pads and the rotors:
- Socket kit and ratchet
- Torque wrench
- C-clamp or brake pad spreader
- Allen set
- Wrench for bleeding brakes
- Jack for lifting the Chevy Silverado
- Lug nut wrench
- Safety tools like gloves and glasses
The service for changing brake pads is expensive, so the user should try to lower the possible costs. When the user changes these components in the garage, he will be able to save a handsome amount that you may have to spend on the labor.
All of these tools for changing the brake pads and rotors on Chevy Silverado are mostly available in the garage. In case you don’t have the tools already, you can buy the new tools for Chevy
Silverado because you will need these tools for the future. This little but smart investment will save different other future expenses.
When do you Need to Change Brake Pads and Rotors?
Brake pad replacement for Chevy Silverado is an expensive deal. The cost of the overall replacement services may vary depending upon the material of the brake pads and the quality of the rotors.
Before getting started with the details, you must know that Chevy Silverado does not need rotor replacement with every brake pad replacement.
The user only needs to replace the rotors if the brake performance is still poor even after the brake pad replacement. Well, changing the brake pads at the time of rotor replacement is a good idea.
Ignoring the quality of the rotors and the brake pads will not only put life in danger, but you might end up harming others.
There are certain symptoms of worn-out rotors and brake pads. As soon as you start noticing these symptoms of poor brake pads, immediately consider replacing the rotors and the brake pads:
Squealing and Squeaking from Brakes
The first symptom of the poor brakes is the squealing sound coming from the brakes. These irritating sounds are caused by the worn-out pads.
This type of sound is experienced right after changing the new pads. If brake pads are not changed at the right time, these broken pads will do more damage to the rotors.
Sound of Grinding when Brakes are Applied
Even if the normal drive is smooth, worn-out brakes will make a grinding sound when brakes are applied. There are some brake pads by famous brands that produce a loud noise when worn out.
These grinding sounds indicate that it’s time to change the brake pads.
The more time you drive Chevy Silverado with worn-out brake pads, the more damage it will cause to the rotors.
In order to avoid the additional repairing costs, you need to replace the brake pads ASAP.
Vibration when Brakes are Applied
When the brake pads and the rotors are in perfect condition, there will be smooth braking and you won’t feel any kind of extra vibration in steering or braking.
Additional vibration in the body of Chevy Silverado is another indication of the poor braking pads.
Uneven rotors create this issue and this uneven surface is the result of the depleted brake pads or the rotors on a Chevy Silverado.
The Brake Pad Warning Light is On
In Chevy Silverado, there are warning signs for the ABS and you will also get light for the worn-out brake pads.
Sometimes the same warning light is used to indicate the braking pad issue that is used for the engaged hand brake.
If the brake light is on even though the brake is not engaged, this warning sign probably means that something is wrong with the brake pads.
Brake Pads are Thin
After a certain time period, you need to check the thickness of the brake pads and the rotors. These issues don’t happen more often so you can check after months.
Although there are many automatic ways to detect worn-out brake pads, you should never ignore the importance of manual ways.
Some brands offer brake pads that come with additional metal. The condition of that metal will indicate the health of the brake pads.
The driver will experience loud noise if there is something wrong with the brake pads or the rotors.
Price Ranges of the Brake Pads and Rotors
The overall brake pad replacement cost may vary depending upon the rates provided by the local sellers. Mechanics in different regions charge different prices for the brake pad.
Rotor replacement for Chevy Silverado but if the user goes for the online purchase for Chevy Silverado’s brake pad kit, you can get the complete brake pad and rotor kit for $150 -$250.
The complete brake pad and rotor replacement kit consist of rotors and brake pads for both front and rear wheels.
These are the costs of the items only and if you go for the replacement in the local shop, you will also have to pay for the cost of the services.
When the users need to know how to change brake pads and rotors on a Chevy Silverado, they can avoid these additional costs of the services.
The actual price of the brake pads may be different in the area. Don’t forget to check the local shops for the best offers. Some carbon fiber brake pads are being sold for $450 too.
Your personal choice also determines the accurate price of the product.
Different Types of Brake Pads for Chevy Silverado
All brake pads perform the same actions but the use of the material in the manufacturing process may be different.
The martial used in the brake pads of Chevy Silverado determines the quality and pricing of the product. Here are some common types of brake pads for Chevy Silverado:
Semi-metallic Brake Pads
Semi-metallic brake pads are mostly used in Chevy Silverado and these brake pads are made of steel wires. There might be the use of copper and graphite or different types of friction modifiers.
The percentage of metal in the brake pads may vary from 30% to 60%. However, the price may be lower for these brake pads but these pads make louder noisy sounds as compared to other types.
If you are going to drive Chevy Silverado in a region with low temperatures, these brake pads may not be the perfect product for Chevy Silverado.
Non-asbestos Organic Pads
In these brake pads, fibers, organic brake pads, filler materials, and high-temperature resins are used. As compared to the semi-metallic pads, these types of pads produce less noise.
Low-metallic NAO B-pads
These brake pads are created from organic materials and the percentage of the metal may vary from 10% to 30%. Steel or copper materials are used in these brake pads.
The braking performance of these brake pads is better than other types of pads.
Ceramic Brake Pads
In these brake pads, there is little value of any metal like copper or steel. Bonding agents, nonferrous filler materials, and ceramic fibers are used in these brake pads.
These brake pads perform better than other types, but these brake pads are comparatively more expensive.
As these brake pads are made of soft material, you will get better performance of the braking system for a longer time.
Not only do these brake pads last for longer, but you will also experience the least sound and noise while applying brakes.
These are a few types of brake pads and every material has specific characteristics that offer certain benefits and some limitations.
The choice of the final brake type may vary depending upon budget and requirements. The driving style determines the life expectancy of the brake pads.
Conclusion
One product does not offer the same performance for all models of the Chevy Silverado. Manufacturers provide special instructions about the selection of the right brake pads.
Before the replacement process, don’t forget to read the user’s manual for the right details about the precise pads.
Saving a few dollars on the purchase of the best brake pads and rotors for Chevy Silverado may pose a serious threat.
Having the poor quality of worn-out brake pads is a risk and the user should stick to the guidelines about changing the brake pads and rotors.
There might be slight variations in the brake pad changing process for Chevy Silverado.
The overall flow of the steps is almost the same for all latest and older models. After the selection of the right brake pad type, the next step is accurate installation.
This article will help you with everything that the user needs to know about how to change brake pads and rotors on a Chevy Silverado.