How to Put Brakes on a GMC Truck

GMC trucks use disc brakes on the front wheels to stop the truck.

GMC is a division of General Motors corporation that makes a range of business and consumer trucks. All of the modern trucks use disc brakes on the front wheels, and often the rear wheels, to stop the vehicle. The pads on the disc brakes wear out over time as the pads are pressed against the spinning rotors, causing the truck to stop. Putting new brake pads on a GMC trucks involves removing the tires and brake assembly then swapping the old pads for new pads.

Things You'll Need

• Tire iron
• Floor jack
• Jack Stands
• Ratchet and socket set
• New brake pads

Instructions

Accessing the Brakes

1. Park the truck in a firm and level area.

2. Use the tire iron to loosen the lug nuts on both front tires.

3. Slide the floor jack under the front of the truck and lift the truck high enough to get jack stands under the frame.

4. Place a jack stand under the frame adjacent to the wheel wells and lower the front of the truck onto the jack stands.

5. Remove the front lug nuts then the front tires.

Putting on New Brake Pads

1. Remove the inner set of bolts on the back of the brake assembly using the ratchet and socket set.

2. Pull the brake assembly away from the center of the axle and off of the brake rotor.

3. Tap on the brake of the brake pads using the end of the ratchet's handle to knock the pads out of their tracks.

4. Insert the new brake pads in to the brake pad tracks and press them in place using your thumbs. The pad portions should be facing the center.

5. Set the brake assembly over the brake rotor with a brake pad pressing against each side then insert and tighten the bolts holding the brake assembly in place with the ratchet and sockets.

Completing the Process

1. Put on new brake pads for the other front wheel of the GMC truck.

2. Set the tires on the axle hubs and then even screw on the lug nuts.

3. Lift the front of the truck using the floor jack and remove the jack stands.

4. Lower the truck to the ground.

5. Tighten the lug nuts on both front tires using the tire iron.

References

• Edmunds.com: How To Change Your Brake Pads