The Chevy Silverado is a powerful vehicle. All drivers should be aware of some facts regarding the Chevy Silverado. However, you should know how to change brake pads and rotors on a Chevy Silverado. This is a vital part of the car and you should know.
Brake pads are very essential for your Chevy Silverado. It provides immense friction on the rotor to make your vehicle stop. The brake pads have a rough surface to maximize the friction on the rotor. More friction results in better braking of the Chevy Silverado.
Your vehicle needs an impeccable condition to work to its optimum ability. Moreover, bad conditions will lead to unwanted problems with your vehicle. Further, the braking distance might increase significantly.
You should always make sure that the rotors and brake pads are working in their best. In this way, you will be sure that your braking system is working in its best way. Moreover, in this way, you will be receiving the best possible safety from your vehicle.
The rotors which look like rings are the plates where the brake pad squeezes itself to maximize friction and make the vehicle stop. Moreover, the rotors are attached to the vehicle itself.
When you apply brakes, the temperature of the rotor increases too high. Moreover, it even reaches around 1000 degrees centigrade. Therefore, you can say that the rotors undergo high friction. Moreover, it is your duty as a driver to ensure safety.
Let’s know how to change the brake pads and rotors along with the life span and more.
Contents
What is The Average Lifespan of The Brake Pad and Rotor?
The average lifespan of a brake rotor depends on several factors. One of the main factors is the surrounding temperature and condition of the road. Therefore, you can say that it is hard to say the exact miles.
However, what we can say is it might approximately last around 70,000 miles. In urban areas, the driver needs to brake their vehicle often. Hence, the life span of the brake rotor would be comparatively less there.
You will get a better life with the brake rotor if you are driving on the highway roads as you need to brake less often.
The life of a rotor depends on the way you maintain your vehicle. You must examine your brake pads regularly to avoid punctuation along with overheating and more.
However, the life of your brake pad is dependent on your driving habit. If you are someone who brakes hard, your brake might need replacement often. We estimate the brake pad to last around 48,5000 to 110,000 kilometers. Keep in mind this is just an estimated value.
Some Brake Pad Types
The Semi-metallic pad
The semi-metallic brake pads are made up of multiple materials. Some of them are steel, iron in powder form along with copper, and more. These pads are very thermal efficient. They cool very fast hence the heat dissipation system is really good. However, they will not be helpful during the cold.
Anti Asbestos pads
These pads are made up of mixed components. A few examples of the materials are rubber, glass fiber, carbon, and kevlar. Further, the non-asbestos brake pads provide a very efficient braking system in all situations.
However, there is one downside to this brake pad. They wear out very fast hence need frequent replacement. Further, they produce dirt due to wear and tear.
Low Metallic Brake Pads
They are very similar to the anti-asbestos brake pads. However, you will get one difference here. They have a small metallic portion. Further, the metallic portion is around (10-35)%. Moreover, the small metallic part allows faster heat spreading. Therefore, you will get better thermal efficiency.
Ceramic Brake Pads
Ceramic brake pads are very durable. Thanks to its high melting point. Ceramic pads are very hard and rigid. Furthermore, they are made up of some bonding agents, non-ferrous substances, and a small number of metals. These brake pads are optimized for racing vehicles.
They give a very hard braking system and are the most superior brake pads among their counterparts. However, they are comparatively very expensive and are very clean and quiet.
Now you know the different types of brake pads. Now you need to know how to change it.
How to Change Brake Pads and Rotors on a Chevy Silverado?
The process of changing the brake pads and the rotors on Chevy Silverado is easy. You just need to follow the procedures and the process will seem natural to you. We have divided the process below.
First Step:- Get A Flat Surface To Begin
Make your Chevy Silverado park in a suitable flat place to start your work. It is necessary to use a flat surface for your work.
Now, keep your vehicle on parking gear and put the handbrake on. Put four bricks under the four wheels to avoid run-offs when you pull off the brake.
Second Step:- Locate A Bar Of Iron
Grab the iron bar. Use the bar and use the opposite direction to turn the nuts. This is to prevent sticking. However, you should not remove them totally now. Moreover, at first exit your vehicle. This will lift the tire slightly upwards.
Third Step:- Take Off The Nuts And Put A Jack
First, you need to put a jack under the front of your Chevy Silverado. Moreover, the jack stand will come in handy if your vehicle’s hydraulic system fails. However, you can remove nuts and wheels when everything feels safe.
Fourth Step:- Check If Your Rotor Is Fine
In this step, you need to spray cleaner all over the brake and the brake pads of your Chevy Silverado. You can check for the rotor after cleaning. Check if the rotor looks evenly or unevenly.
However, you should replace the rotor if it looks uneven. Further, you can advance the brake pads after checking the rotor.
Fifth Step:- use the clamp to take off the screws
You need to check the back of the clamp. There, you will identify two screws that hold the clamp in place. However, there are multiple types of screws. And the one that fits in there depends on your chevy Silverado model.
A few models have regular bolt heads. Moreover, others might have hex head screws. You need to have the right wrench to unlock the screws. Further, start with the lower bolt. After that, take off the cover.
Step 6:- Take Off The Old Brakes
Now, take off the old brakes from your Chevy Silverado. Take it off from the caliper assembly. You can use the help of a screwdriver to take them off. Further, examine the pads and see how they are positioned on the clamp.
You will need to position the new pad just like the old pad was positioned before. The repositioning will not fit the new brake pads onto the calipers.
Step 7:- Squeeze The Brake Pad Onto The Piston
You need to compress both the calipers along with the piston. To do that, you just need to press the pad against the piston, on the other hand, squeezing the clamp too. Keep on tightening the clamp. Stop after you are done compressing the piston to its full level. Now, take off the C clamp.
Step 8:- Place The New Pads
Now is the time to replace it with the new brake pads. Your vehicle needs the groove and clips with the clamp. Furthermore, press the pad with force and it will snap in place. Now make sure that the pad has snapped into place correctly.
Place the caliper back to the rotor and fit it in with the screws.
Step 9:- Place The Wheel Back And Tight The Nuts
In this step, you need to place the wheel back and tight the nuts. Use the jack to pull up your vehicle and secure it. After you are done, take the jack holder off. Furthermore, lower your vehicle by lowering the jack.
Now you know how to change the brake pad. Therefore, follow the same procedure for the front brake pad.
You might ask yourself what are the hazards of a bad brake pad. We have answered your question below.
The Hazards Of Faulty Brake Pad
A faulty brake pad might impact several factors of your vehicle. Starting from performance to several other factors too. Moreover, faulty brake pads hamper the efficiency of your vehicle. Therefore, you have to change faulty brake pads in order for your vehicle to perform well in any situation.
We can understand the need to repair the brake pad by yourself.
Furthermore, repairing brake pads also improves the car safety system. In case you need to brake hard and your car fails to do that. Your vehicle and you might experience a catastrophic accident. Therefore, good brake pads are a necessary thing.
Conclusion
It is essential to keep your vehicle in good working condition. Several factors might degrade your brake pad and rotors faster like the high temperature outside.
We advise you to drive your Chevy Silverado in an optimum temperature environment. Furthermore, the brake pads must be in good condition to minimize the braking distance.
Moreover, faulty rotors might result in irritating noise and skidding. You need to service and replace them when required to get a better driving experience.