🔧 Impala - Rear Brake Pad and Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and both rear rotors on your Impala. The electronic parking brake must be placed in service mode before the caliper pistons are compressed.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

Assumption: Factory rear calipers and electronic parking brake are installed.

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work beneath a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves; brake dust and cleaner are harmful.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while either rear caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Fully release the electronic parking brake before beginning.
• ⚠️ Do not let a caliper hang from its flexible brake hose.
• ⚠️ Brake cleaner is flammable; work outdoors or with strong ventilation.
• ⚠️ The battery should remain connected because the electronic parking brake must enter service mode.
• ⚠️ If service mode cannot be activated or a parking-brake fault appears, stop and use a GM-capable scan tool.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Hydraulic floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• 22mm deep socket
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 7mm hex-bit socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated 20-200 Nm
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench rated 5-60 Nm
• Electronic parking brake service tool or GM-capable scan tool (specialty)
• Rear brake piston compression tool (specialty)
• Caliper hanger hooks
• Small flat-blade screwdriver
• Medium wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake-cleaner drain pan
• Shop towels
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile mechanic gloves

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set with new hardware - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2; replace in pairs
• Rear caliper bracket bolts - Qty: 4
• Silicone ceramic brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Aerosol brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 📋 Park your Impala on firm, level ground. Shift into Park and switch the ignition off.
• 📋 Chock both front wheels securely. Do not apply the parking brake.
• 📋 Open the hood and inspect the brake-fluid reservoir. If it is at the MAX line, remove a small amount before compressing the pistons.
• 📋 A caliper bracket is the heavy metal carrier that holds the caliper and brake pads.
• 📋 A torque wrench tightens a fastener to an exact, safe amount. Do not use it to loosen bolts.
• 📋 If using a scan tool, connect it before lifting the vehicle and select the electronic parking brake maintenance or pad-replacement function.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Electronic Parking Brake in Service Mode

• Connect the GM-capable scan tool to the diagnostic connector beneath the driver-side dashboard.
• Switch the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Select Chassis > Electronic Parking Brake > Control Functions > Brake Pad Replacement Mode > Retract. Wording varies slightly by scan-tool brand.
• Wait until the tool confirms both parking-brake actuators are fully retracted.
• Switch the ignition off and disconnect the scan tool only after it confirms completion.
• If the function fails or a warning remains displayed, do not force the caliper pistons inward.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Wheel Nuts

• Use the 22mm deep socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel nut about one-half turn.
• Do not remove the nuts while the tires are still supporting the vehicle.

Step 3: Raise and Support the Rear

• Use the hydraulic floor jack at the rear-center lifting point, then place the jack stands beneath the specified rear side support points.
• Lower your Impala gently onto the stands and confirm it is stable.
• Use the 22mm deep socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the wheel nuts and both rear wheels.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Work on one side at a time so the assembled side remains a reference.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the upper and lower caliper guide-pin bolts.
• If a guide pin turns, hold its flats with the correctly fitting open end of the rear brake piston compression tool kit while loosening the bolt.
• Lift the caliper from the bracket and support it with a caliper hanger hook.
• Never pull, twist, or stretch the brake hose.

Step 5: Remove the Pads and Caliper Bracket

• Pull the inner and outer pads from the bracket by hand.
• Use the small flat-blade screwdriver to remove the stainless pad-support clips.
• Use the 18mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to remove the two caliper-bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket and discard the old bracket bolts.

Step 6: Remove the Old Rotor

• If fitted, use the 7mm hex-bit socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the rotor retaining screw.
• Pull the rotor from the hub.
• If rust holds it in place, strike only the rotor hat between the wheel studs with the rubber mallet.
• Do not strike the wheel studs or the thin braking surfaces.

Step 7: Clean the Hub and Install the New Rotor

• Place the brake-cleaner drain pan beneath the assembly.
• Use the medium wire brush to remove rust from the hub face. The new rotor must sit completely flat.
• Clean both sides of the new rotor with aerosol brake cleaner and shop towels.
• Install the rotor over the hub.
• If equipped, install the retaining screw using the 7mm hex-bit socket and 3/8-inch torque wrench. Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs).
• A wheel nut can hold the rotor temporarily.

Step 8: Prepare and Install the Caliper Bracket

• Use the medium wire brush to clean the bracket where the stainless clips sit.
• Install the new pad-support clips by hand.
• Apply a very thin coat of silicone ceramic brake lubricant where the pad ears contact the clips. Keep lubricant off the rotor and pad friction material.
• Position the bracket and install new bracket bolts by hand.
• Use the 18mm socket and 1/2-inch torque wrench to tighten the bracket bolts. Torque to 150 Nm (111 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Check the brake-fluid reservoir before moving the piston. Remove excess fluid with the rear brake piston compression tool reservoir syringe if necessary.
• Place an old pad against the piston, then use the rear brake piston compression tool to press the piston slowly and straight into the caliper.
• Do not rotate the piston and do not use excessive force.
• Stop if the piston binds, the parking-brake motor moves, or fluid leaks from the caliper.

Step 10: Install the New Pads and Caliper

• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket by hand.
• Lower the caliper over the pads without twisting the brake hose.
• Make sure the guide-pin boots are seated and undamaged.
• Install the guide-pin bolts by hand, then tighten them with the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch torque wrench. Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).
• Repeat Steps 4-10 on the opposite side.

Step 11: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install both wheels and thread every wheel nut by hand.
• Use the 22mm deep socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to snug the nuts in a star pattern.
• Use the hydraulic floor jack to raise your Impala, remove the jack stands, and lower it until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the 22mm deep socket and 1/2-inch torque wrench to tighten the wheel nuts in a star pattern. Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Restore the Electronic Parking Brake

• Before switching on the ignition, press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• Connect the GM-capable scan tool and switch the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Select Chassis > Electronic Parking Brake > Control Functions > Brake Pad Replacement Mode > Apply or Exit.
• Follow the scan-tool prompts to extend and calibrate both parking-brake actuators.
• Apply and release the electronic parking brake twice using its switch.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Confirm the brake-fluid level is between MIN and MAX. Install the reservoir cap securely.
• ✅ Start the engine and hold firm pressure on the brake pedal for 30 seconds. The pedal should remain firm.
• ✅ Verify that the red brake and electronic parking-brake warning indicators switch off.
• ✅ Test the parking brake while stationary before driving.
• ✅ Make a slow test drive in a traffic-free area. Check braking operation at walking speed first.
• ✅ Bed in the pads with 8-10 moderate stops from approximately 50 km/h to 10 km/h. Avoid stopping completely between applications.
• ✅ Drive for about 10 minutes afterward with minimal braking so the brakes can cool.
• ✅ Avoid hard stops and holding the brake pedal after heavy braking for the first 300 km.
• ✅ Recheck the wheel-nut torque after 80-160 km.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $550-$850 USD (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 USD (parts only)

You Save: $200-$500 USD by doing it yourself!

Local Sonīpat pricing and imported-part costs may vary. Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.