Safety Glasses
Nitrile Gloves
Socket
Ratchet
Floor Jack
Jack Stands
Breaker Bar
Penetrating Oil
Flathead Screwdriver
Caliper Hanger
Wire Brush
Silicone Break Grease
Bleeder Tool
Brake Cleaner
Shop Towels
Today, we will be installing new calipers on this 2004 GMC Sierra, and the procedure will be similar on many early 2000s GMC and Chevy trucks, but be sure to know the specifics for your truck before getting started. If you’re not completely comfortable doing this yourself, we’d be happy to recommend a professional technician in your area.
Step 1: Remove Plastic Caps and Loosen Lug Nuts
Start with the vehicle parked on a level surface. Carefully remove the plastic caps on your lug nuts with a 21mm socket, if your truck has them. Then, loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels with your 22mm socket. If you’re only changing one caliper, you only need to remove the wheel where you’ll be working. Jack up the front end and put it on stands
Step 2: Remove the Wheel
Remove the lug nuts and wheel.
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Do It Right: For easier access to the caliper, turn the steering wheel. |
Step 3: Spray Bolts with Penetrating Oil
Spray the bolts you’ll be removing with penetrating oil.
Step 4: Remove Brake Caliper Bolts
Remove the two caliper bolts with a T55 and breaker bar. Slide out the two caliper slide bolts.
Step 5: Remove the Caliper
Remove the caliper, detach the brake hose from the caliper, and put the end of the hose in your container.
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Do It Right: Have a brake fluid-safe container ready to catch brake fluid when you remove the caliper and detach the brake hose. |
Step 6: Remove Brake Pads from the Caliper
Remove the brake pads and hardware from the caliper.
Step 7: Remove Caliper Mounting Bracket
Use a 21 mm socket to remove the two caliper mounting bracket bolts and remove the bracket.
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Do It Right: If you’re replacing both the bracket and caliper, they may come as a unit. If so, you’ll need to remove the caliper from the bracket to install the brake pads in the caliper. Use your T55 to remove the bolts… then the caliper… from the bracket. |
Step 8: Attach New Caliper Mounting Bracket
Use the ratchet and 21mm socket to attach the new caliper mounting bracket. Torque the bolts to 120 foot pounds.
Step 9: Install Brake Pads and Hardware
Apply 100% silicone grease to all contact points and install the brake pads and hardware in the caliper.
Step 10: Apply Grease to Two Caliper Slide Bolts
Also apply grease to the two caliper slide bolts
Step 11: Install Slide Bolts
Install the slide blots with your T55. Torque these bolts to 90 foot pounds.
Step 12: Reattach the Brake Line
Reattach the brake line to the caliper. Repeat these steps on the other side if you’re changing both calipers.
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Do It Right: Since you’ve opened your brake lines, you’ll need to bleed your brake system. Here’s a link you can follow that shows the full brake bleeding procedure. |
Step 13: Replace Wheel and Finger-Tighten Lug Nuts
Once your brakes are bled and your fluid level is where it needs to be, put your wheels back in place and finger-tighten the lug nuts.
Step 14: Lower Truck and Tighten Lug Nuts
Lower the truck and use your 22mm socket to torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to 120 foot pounds. If your truck has plastic lug caps, use a 21mm socket to tighten them.
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Do It Right: Before driving anywhere, pump your brake pedal several times to make sure the pressure has returned to normal. |
