🔧 Impala - Rear Brake Pads and Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and both rear rotors on your Impala. The rear caliper pistons must be rotated while being pushed inward, and the parking brake must remain released throughout the repair.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support your Impala with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Release the electronic parking brake before lifting the vehicle.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a rear caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust may be harmful. Do not blow it away with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Hang each caliper securely. Never let it hang from its rubber brake hose.
• ⚠️ Check the brake-fluid reservoir while retracting the pistons because fluid may overflow.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnection is not required for this procedure.

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🔧 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
• 15mm open-end wrench
• 18mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated 200 Nm minimum
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench rated 10-80 Nm
• Rear brake caliper wind-back tool kit (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Small nylon detailing brush
• Small wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Dial indicator with magnetic base (specialty)
• Brake rotor micrometer (specialty)
• Plastic drain pan
• Disposable shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set with new hardware - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear caliper bracket bolts - Qty: 4
• High-temperature silicone brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Non-chlorinated brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small sealed bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Impala on firm, level ground. Shift into Park and switch off the engine.
• Release the electronic parking brake completely. Confirm the parking-brake warning indicator turns off.
• Place wheel chocks tightly against the front and rear of both front tires.
• Open the hood and inspect the brake-fluid reservoir. Remove a little fluid if it is already at the MAX mark.
• Work on one rear side at a time so the assembled side remains available as a reference.
• A wind-back tool presses and rotates the caliper piston at the same time.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Nuts

• Use a 22mm deep socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel nut approximately one-half turn.
• Do not remove the wheel nuts while the vehicle is on the ground.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear

• Use the hydraulic floor jack at the approved rear lifting point.
• Position the jack stands beneath the reinforced rear support points, then lower the vehicle carefully onto them.
• Gently push the body to confirm the vehicle is stable before beginning work.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 22mm deep socket and 1/2-inch ratchet to remove the wheel nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat away from the work area.

Step 4: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Use the safety glasses and a flashlight-free visual inspection to check the caliper, hose, parking-brake cable, and surrounding area for leaks or damage.
• Use the brake rotor micrometer to compare rotor thickness with the minimum thickness stamped on the rotor.
• Replace a caliper if its piston boot is torn, the piston is seized, or brake fluid is leaking.

Step 5: Remove the Caliper

• Use a 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 15mm open-end wrench while loosening the bolt.
• Lift the caliper from the bracket and suspend it with the brake caliper hanger.
• Do not pull, kink, or twist the brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Pads

• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to remove the inner and outer pads from the caliper bracket.
• Remove the stainless-steel pad clips with the flat-blade screwdriver.
• Compare pad wear. One pad being much thinner may indicate seized guide pins or a sticking caliper.

Step 7: Retract the Caliper Piston

• Place the plastic drain pan and shop towels below the brake-fluid reservoir area.
• Fit the correct adapter from the rear brake caliper wind-back tool kit into the piston face.
• Use the wind-back tool to turn the piston clockwise while applying steady inward pressure.
• Stop if the piston binds or the dust boot twists. Do not force it with locking pliers.
• Retract the piston fully, then orient its face so the new inner pad seats correctly.
• Check the reservoir frequently and remove excess fluid if it approaches the top.
• Turn slowly to protect the piston boot.

Step 8: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use an 18mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket and set it on a clean surface.
• Discard the removed bracket bolts if replacement bolts are supplied.

Step 9: Remove the Old Rotor

• Pull the rotor straight from the wheel hub by hand.
• If rust holds it in place, strike the rotor hat between the wheel studs with the rubber mallet.
• Do not strike the wheel studs or the rotor’s braking surface.
• If the rotor will not clear the parking-brake shoes, confirm the parking brake is fully released and avoid forcing it.

Step 10: Clean the Hub

• Use the small wire brush to remove rust from the hub face and the base of each wheel stud.
• Use brake cleaner and shop towels to remove loose debris.
• The hub face must be clean and flat. Rust trapped behind the rotor can cause brake-pedal pulsation.

Step 11: Install and Check the New Rotor

• Use brake cleaner and shop towels to clean both sides of the new rotor.
• Install the rotor fully against the hub.
• Use the dial indicator with magnetic base to check lateral runout near the rotor’s outer edge.
• If runout exceeds 0.05 mm (0.002 in), remove the rotor, reclean the hub, rotate the rotor to another stud position, and recheck.
• A clean hub prevents most new-rotor pulsation.

Step 12: Service the Caliper Bracket

• Use the small nylon detailing brush and brake cleaner to clean the pad-contact areas.
• Remove each guide pin by hand, wipe it with shop towels, and inspect its rubber boot.
• Apply a thin coat of high-temperature silicone brake lubricant to each clean guide pin, then reinstall it.
• Install the new stainless-steel pad clips by hand.
• Apply a very thin film of brake lubricant only where the pad tabs contact the clips.
• Keep lubricant off the rotor and pad friction material.

Step 13: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the bracket over the rotor and start both new bracket bolts by hand.
• Use the 18mm socket and 1/2-inch torque wrench to tighten the bracket bolts evenly.
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Install the New Brake Pads

• Press the new inner and outer pads into the bracket by hand.
• Confirm both pads slide freely in the clips without excessive looseness.
• Keep all friction surfaces clean and dry.

Step 15: Reinstall the Caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads by hand without twisting the brake hose.
• Start both guide-pin bolts by hand to prevent damaged threads.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch torque wrench to tighten both guide-pin bolts.
• Hold a rotating guide pin with the 15mm open-end wrench.
• Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Repeat on the Opposite Side

• Use the same tools and procedure to replace the pads and rotor on the other rear wheel.
• Before installing the wheels, inspect both sides for loose fasteners, twisted hoses, and misplaced hardware.

Step 17: Reinstall the Wheels

• Install each wheel and start all wheel nuts by hand.
• Use the 22mm deep socket and 1/2-inch ratchet to snug the nuts in a star pattern.
• Use the hydraulic floor jack to lift the vehicle slightly, remove the jack stands, and lower your Impala to 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 (100 ft-lbs).

Step 18: Restore Brake Pedal Pressure

• With the engine off, press the brake pedal slowly several times by foot until it becomes firm.
• Do not move the vehicle until the pedal feels normal and firm.
• Check the brake-fluid reservoir and top up only with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid as needed.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and hold the brake pedal. Confirm the pedal remains firm and no warning lamps stay illuminated.
• Apply and release the electronic parking brake twice using its switch. Listen for normal operation.
• Check around both rear calipers for brake-fluid leaks.
• Perform a low-speed test in a safe, traffic-free area before normal driving.
• Bed in the pads with 8-10 moderate stops from approximately 50 km/h to 15 km/h. Allow cooling time between stops and do not come to a complete stop with hot brakes unless necessary.
• Avoid hard braking for the first 300-500 km unless required for safety.
• Recheck wheel-nut torque after approximately 80-160 km.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹28,000-₹48,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹12,000-₹25,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹16,000-₹23,000 by doing it yourself!

Local labor rates vary. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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