How to Replace the Front Brake Pads on a GMC Yukon
The GMC Yukon shares much of its mechanical design with other trucks and SUVs built by the General Motors Corporation. This allows for cheaper parts production and replacement, since many parts are interchangeable between truck models. This is the case with the Yukon’s brake system, and many of the parts and service procedures required to replace the brake pads are identical to those used in other General Motors trucks of comparable model years.
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Things You'll Need
- Wheel chocks
- Turkey baster
- Floor jack
- Lug wrench
- Plastic tray
- Brake cleaner
- Large C-clamp
- Large hex head wrench set
- Box end wrench set
- Empty 16 ounce bottle
- Brake pad anti squeal compound
Instructions
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1
Block the rear wheels by placing the wheel chocks behind them.
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2
Lift the cap off the brake fluid reservoir and use the turkey baster to remove approximately 2/3 of the fluid. Place the fluid into the bottle and screw on its cap to dispose of later. Reattach the fluid reservoir cap.
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3
Use the lug wrench to loosen the front wheel nuts on both sides of the vehicle, but do not remove them. Use the floor jack to lift the truck on one side, and place a jack stand under the frame rail. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stand, and repeat the lifting process for the other side of the truck.
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4
Remove the wheel nuts from both wheels, and remove the wheels. (Work on only one brake set at a time from this point on, so that one brake set will remain assembled for future reference if needed.)
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5
Put the drip pan underneath the brake assembly to be worked on, and spray the entire assembly with brake cleaner until the dirt and brake dust is removed.
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6
Put the C-clamp over the brake caliper with the twist handle end on the outside of the caliper. Position the clamp so that the screw end of the clamp is against the outer side of the visible brake pad. Tighten the clamp slowly to compress the brake caliper, and stop when you can no longer see the caliper compressing. Check the fluid reservoir periodically during the process to ensure there is no overspill. If the fluid rises too high, use the turkey baster to remove more fluid.
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7
Use a hex head wrench to loosen the lower caliper mounting bolt (found on the inside bottom of the caliper). With the bolt removed, tilt the caliper up and away from the brake rotor to expose the brake pads.
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8
Inspect the brake pads and note their positioning. Lift the brake pads out of the mount and throw them away.
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9
Lift the thin metal retainers out of their slots in the mount and inspect them for distortions or damage. (Damaged retainers must be replaced with new ones. Undamaged retainers can be reused.)
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10
Apply a thin layer of anti squeal compound to the backs of the new brake pads and allow it to set up for five minutes.
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11
Install the retainers into the mount by sliding them into their positions. Use the still assembled brake set on the other side of the vehicle for reference if necessary to determine proper positioning.
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12
Install the inner brake pad by pressing it into position on the inner side of the mount. Repeat the process for the outer brake pad.
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13
Tilt the brake caliper down into position over the brake pad assembly. Lubricate the lower caliper bolt with brake grease and insert it into the caliper. Tighten the bolt firmly with the hex head wrench.
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14
Repeat Steps 5 through 13 for the brake assembly on the other side of the truck.
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15
Replace the wheels onto the vehicle and install the lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts by hand.
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16
Lower the vehicle and retighten the lug nuts firmly with the lug wrench. Top off the brake fluid to bring it up to the level indicated on the reservoir.
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1
Tips & Warnings
When servicing brakes, always work on one brake assembly at a time so you will have a fully assembled set to refer to if you have problems.
Never climb underneath a vehicle unless it is supported by approved jack stands. Brake fluid will damage paint and finishes--use care when handling it and immediately wash off any spills with soap and water.
References
- “Chevrolet Silverado GMC Sierra: 1999 thru 2006 2WD and 4WD (Haynes Repair Manual)"; Ken Freund; 2008
- Edmunds: How to Change Your Brake Pads
- Auto Media: Replacing Brake Pads
