🔧 Traverse - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This is an intermediate job because your Traverse uses an electronic parking brake. Put it into brake service mode with a compatible scan tool before compressing either rear caliper piston. Don’t force the pistons. That’s an expensive shortcut.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

Assumption: The rear rotors are smooth, within specification, and free of deep grooves or heavy rust.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support your Traverse with jack stands. Never work beneath a vehicle held only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake, then command brake service mode before removing the rear calipers.
• ⚠️ Never force, twist, or clamp a rear piston before the electronic parking brake is retracted.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while either caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Support each caliper so its rubber brake hose carries no weight.
• ⚠️ Keep grease and brake cleaner off the pad friction surfaces and rotors.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnection is not normally required when using the scan-tool service procedure.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• 22mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench rated 20-200 ft-lbs
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• EPB-capable diagnostic scan tool (specialty)
• Small flat-blade screwdriver
• Small nylon or brass wire brush
• Bungee cord
• Drain pan
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear ceramic brake pad set - Replace both sides - Qty: 1
• Rear disc brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Aerosol brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• High-temperature silicone brake lubricant - Qty: 1

The matching rear pads, hardware, rotors, and complete brake kits are open in the parts section. Replace the rotors in pairs if either one is deeply grooved, heat-spotted, cracked, or below its stamped minimum thickness.

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📋 Before You Begin

• 📋 Park on solid, level ground and place the transmission in Park.
• 📋 Leave the electronic parking brake released and chock both front wheels.
• 📋 Let the brakes cool completely before starting.
• 📋 Open the hood and inspect the brake-fluid reservoir. Remove excess fluid with clean service equipment if it is already at the top.
• 📋 Connect the EPB-capable scan tool before lifting the vehicle. EPB means electronic parking brake.
• 📋 Follow the scan tool's prompts for Electronic Parking Brake > Service Mode or Brake Pad Replacement Mode.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Enter electronic parking-brake service mode

• Release the parking brake and connect the EPB-capable diagnostic scan tool to the diagnostic connector beneath the dashboard.
• Switch the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Select Electronic Parking Brake > Service Mode or the equivalent brake-pad replacement command.
• Wait until the tool confirms that both rear actuators are fully retracted.
• If service mode fails or a parking-brake warning remains active, stop. Do not force the pistons.

Step 2: Loosen the rear wheels

• Use the 22mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about one turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts while your Traverse is still on the ground.

Step 3: Raise and support the rear

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum at an approved rear lifting point.
• Place the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum beneath the reinforced rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the stands and verify that it is stable.
• Give it a careful stability check.

Step 4: Remove both rear wheels

• Use the 22mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels so you can compare pad wear from side to side.

Step 5: Remove the first rear caliper

• Place the drain pan beneath the brake assembly to catch cleaner and debris.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the upper and lower caliper guide-pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper straight off the pads. Use the small flat-blade screwdriver only for gentle assistance if it is tight.
• Support the caliper with the bungee cord. Never hang it from the brake hose.

Step 6: Remove and inspect the old pads

• Pull both pads from the caliper bracket by hand.
• Compare their thickness. A much thinner inner pad can indicate a sticking piston, while uneven ends can indicate seized guide pins.
• Inspect the rotor for deep grooves, blue heat spots, cracks, or a heavy outer ridge.
• Repeat the inspection on the opposite side before deciding to reuse either rotor.

Step 7: Clean the bracket and service the hardware

• Use the small flat-blade screwdriver to remove the old stainless pad clips.
• Use the small nylon or brass wire brush and aerosol brake cleaner to clean the bracket surfaces beneath the clips.
• Install the new hardware clips by hand.
• Apply a very thin film of high-temperature silicone brake lubricant where the pad tabs slide against the clips.
• Do not apply lubricant to the rotor or pad friction material.

Step 8: Inspect the guide pins

• Pull each guide pin from its rubber boot by hand.
• Wipe the pin clean and inspect it for corrosion, scoring, or binding.
• Apply a thin coating of high-temperature silicone brake lubricant, then slide the pin back into its boot.
• Confirm that both pins move smoothly and that neither rubber boot is torn.

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Confirm with the EPB-capable diagnostic scan tool that service mode remains active.
• Position an old brake pad across the piston face.
• Use the brake caliper piston compressor tool to press the piston slowly and straight into the housing.
• Watch the brake-fluid reservoir while compressing the piston. Stop if fluid approaches the top.
• The piston should retract smoothly. Stop if it cocks sideways or requires excessive force.

Step 10: Install the new pads

• Fit the new inner and outer pads into the cleaned hardware clips by hand.
• Confirm that each pad slides freely without excessive looseness.
• Keep the friction surfaces clean and dry.

Step 11: Reinstall the caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both guide-pin bolts by hand to prevent cross-threading.
• Use the 13mm socket and torque wrench rated 20-200 ft-lbs to tighten both bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).
• Confirm that the brake hose is not twisted and the guide-pin boots are seated.

Step 12: Repeat on the opposite side

• Use the same tools and procedure on the second rear brake assembly.
• Always replace rear pads as a complete axle set. Never replace only one side.

Step 13: Reinstall the rear wheels

• Install both wheels and start every lug nut by hand.
• Use the 22mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the nuts in a star pattern.
• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to raise the vehicle slightly, then remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Traverse completely to the ground.
• Use the 22mm socket and torque wrench rated 20-200 ft-lbs to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Seat the pads and exit service mode

• Before starting the engine, press the brake pedal slowly several times until it becomes firm.
• Switch the ignition on and use the EPB-capable diagnostic scan tool to select Electronic Parking Brake > Exit Service Mode.
• Follow the scan tool's prompts to apply and release the electronic parking brake.
• Check for warning messages before moving the vehicle.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake-fluid level and secure the reservoir cap.
• ✅ Apply and release the electronic parking brake several times. Confirm normal operation and no brake drag.
• ✅ Start with a walking-speed test in a clear area. Verify that the pedal stays firm and your Traverse stops straight.
• ✅ Follow the pad manufacturer's bedding procedure. A typical street-pad procedure uses several moderate stops with cooling time between them.
• ✅ Avoid hard stops and holding the pedal firmly while stationary immediately after bedding the pads.
• ✅ Recheck the lug-nut torque after approximately 50 miles.
• ✅ Stop driving if you hear grinding, smell an overheated brake, see a warning message, or feel the vehicle pulling.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $300-$550 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$120 (pads, hardware, and consumables)

You Save: $180-$430 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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