How to Change the Brake Pads in a 2000 Chevy Truck

The 2000 model year Chevy trucks had front disc brake systems that were far superior to the previous drum brake set-ups. Disc brakes are self adjusting and provide better braking performance as well as longer brake pad life. However, they still wear out sooner or later, which means you’ll still find yourself needing a brake job. If you have some basic automotive repair experience and about two hours of free time, you can change the brake pads on your 2000 Chevy truck yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Lug wrench
• 2 wheel chocks
• Floor jack
• 2 jack stands
• Drop pan
• Brake cleaner
• Socket set
• White lithium grease
• Caliper tool
• Torque wrench

Instructions

1. Turn the front lug nuts counterclockwise until they are finger tight using the lug wrench. Do not remove them yet, but make sure you can do so easily when the time comes.

2. Place the wheel chocks in behind and in front of the right rear tire to prevent the truck from moving during the brake job.

3. Lift the front end with the floor jack. Position the jack stands under the front frame on both sides. Lower the truck onto the jack stands.

4. Take the front lug nuts and wheels off the truck by hand. Move them off to the side to give you easy access to the front brakes.

5. Slide the drop pan under the left front brake assembly. Spray the brakes with the brake cleaner to remove the built-up brake dust.

6. Unbolt the left front caliper using the socket set. Pull the caliper up and out of the caliper bracket. Remove the brake pads from inside the caliper by hand.

7. Clean the inside of the brake caliper using the brake cleaner. Remove as much brake dust, road dirt and old grease from the caliper pistons and caliper slide pins as possible. Lubricate the caliper slides pins with white lithium grease.

8. Force the caliper pistons back into the calipers using the caliper tool. Remove the tool and insert the new brake pads into the caliper. Lower the caliper back down into the caliper bracket by hand and bolt it in place with the socket set.

9. Repeat steps five through eight on the right front. Put the wheels and lug nuts back on. Lower the front end off the jack stands with the floor jack and then tighten the lug nuts to 140 foot-lbs. using the torque wrench. Move the wheel chocks away from the back tire before driving the Chevy truck.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider replacing or machining the brake rotors every time you replace the brake pads for optimum brake performance and longest life.

References

• "Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sonoma 1999 thru 2006: Haynes Manual"; Ken Freund; 2006