Brakes don't work as well as they could

Hi,

Replacing front brake pads and rotors really isn't that difficult. When you do it yourself, make sure to get lifetime replacement parts so you never have to pay again.

You can expect front brakes to last approximately 25,000, but that will vary based on terrain and driving habits.

First, here is a link that shows in general how it's done. You can use this as a guide.

https://youtu.be/X6wsJA9fIiA

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-front-brake-pads-and-rotors-fwd

Here are the directions specific to your vehicle. The attached pics correlate with the directions.

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2011 GMC Truck Yukon XL 2WD V8-5.3L
Front Disc Brake Pads Replacement
Vehicle Brakes and Traction Control Disc Brake System Brake Pad Service and Repair Removal and Replacement Front Disc Brake Pads Replacement
FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS REPLACEMENT
Front Disc Brake Pads Replacement
Warning: Refer to Brake Dust Warning See: Brakes and Traction Control > Technician Safety Information > Brake Dust Warning.

Removal Procedure

1. Inspect the fluid level in the brake master cylinder reservoir.
2. If the fluid level is midway between the maximum-full point and the minimum allowable level, no fluid needs to be removed from the reservoir before proceeding.
3. If the fluid level is higher than midway between the maximum-full point and the minimum allowable level, remove fluid to the midway point before proceeding.
4. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle See: Vehicle Lifting > Procedures > Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
5. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation See: Wheels and Tires > Removal and Replacement > Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.

pic 1

6. Compress the brake caliper pistons.

1. Install 2 large C-clamps over the top of the caliper housing and against the back of the outboard pad.
2. Slowly tighten the C-clamps until the pistons are pushed completely into the caliper bores.
3. Remove the C-clamps from the caliper.

pic 2

Note:
* DO NOT use any air tools to remove the guide pin bolts. Use hand tools ONLY.
* Install an open end wrench to hold the caliper guide pin in line with the brake caliper while removing or installing the caliper guide pin bolt. DO NOT allow the open end wrench to come in contact with the brake caliper. Allowing the open end wrench to come in contact with the brake caliper will cause a pulsation when the brakes are applied.

7. Using an open end wrench to hold the guide pin, loosen the brake caliper guide pin bolt.

pic 3

8. Remove the lower brake caliper guide pin bolt (1).

Caution: Support the brake caliper with heavy mechanic wire, or equivalent, whenever it is separated from its mount and the hydraulic flexible brake hose is still connected. Failure to support the caliper in this manner will cause the flexible brake hose to bear the weight of the caliper, which may cause damage to the brake hose and in turn may cause a brake fluid leak.

Note: DO NOT disconnect the flexible brake hose from the brake caliper.

9. Rotate the brake caliper (2) upward until it rests on the brake caliper mounting bracket and support with heavy mechanics wire or equivalent.

Note: If installing the original brake pads, mark the position of the inner and outer brake pads for proper installation.

10. Remove the brake pads (3).

Note:
* If installing the original brake pads and spring clips, mark the position of the pads and spring clips for proper installation.
* If installing new brake pads, install new pad spring clips. Do not reuse the old brake pad spring clips with new brake pads.

11. Remove the brake pad spring clips (4) from the mounting bracket (5).
12. Thoroughly clean the pad hardware mating surfaces of the caliper bracket of any corrosion or debris with denatured alcohol and allow to dry.

Note: Use care when cleaning the brake caliper pistons to avoid damaging the piston dust seals.

13. If installing new brake pads, thoroughly clean the brake caliper piston faces and caliper housing to brake pad contact surfaces of all disc brake pad insulator adhesive residue with denatured alcohol and allow to dry.

Installation Procedure

pic 4

1. Apply a very thin coating of high temperature silicone brake lubricant to the pad mating surfaces of the caliper bracket only.
2. Install the spring clips (4) to the mounting bracket.

* Install the NEW spring clips if replacing the brake pads.
* Install the original spring clips in their original position if installing the original brake pads.

3. If installing new brake pads, remove the adhesive backing paper from the brake pad insulators.

Note: If installing the original brake pads, position the brake pads as marked during the removal procedure.

4. Install the brake pads (3).
5. Rotate the brake caliper (2) into the proper position on the mounting bracket (5).

pic 5

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution See: Vehicle > Vehicle Damage Warnings > Fastener Caution.

Note:
* DO NOT use any air tools to remove or tighten the guide pin bolts. Use hand tools ONLY.
* Install an open end wrench to hold the caliper guide pin in line with the caliper while removing or installing the caliper. DO NOT allow the wrench to come in contact with the brake caliper. Allowing the wrench to come in contact with the brake caliper will cause a pulsation when the brakes are applied.

6. Use an open end wrench to hold the caliper guide pin while tightening the brake caliper guide pin bolt to 100 Nm (74 lb ft).
7. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation See: Wheels and Tires > Removal and Replacement > Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. With the engine OFF, gradually apply the brake pedal to approximately 2/3 of its travel distance.
10. Slowly release the brake pedal.
11. Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 9-10 until a firm pedal is obtained to properly seat the brake caliper pistons and pads.
12. Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir to the proper level with clean brake fluid, if necessary. Refer to Master Cylinder Reservoir Filling See: Brake Master Cylinder > Procedures > Master Cylinder Reservoir Filling.
13. Firmly apply and maintain pressure on the brake pedal for 30 seconds to seat the brake pad insulators to the brake caliper pistons and caliper housing. Repeat this step 1 additional time.
14. Burnish the brake pads and rotors. Refer to Brake Pad and Rotor Burnishing See: Brake Pad > Procedures > Brake Pad and Rotor Burnishing.

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Rotor Replacement

2011 GMC Truck Yukon XL 2WD V8-5.3L
Front Brake Rotor Replacement
Vehicle Brakes and Traction Control Disc Brake System Brake Rotor/Disc Service and Repair Removal and Replacement Front Brake Rotor Replacement
FRONT BRAKE ROTOR REPLACEMENT
Front Brake Rotor Replacement

Special Tools

J-42450-A - Wheel Hub Resurfacing Kit

Warning: Refer to Brake Dust Warning See: Brakes and Traction Control > Technician Safety Information > Brake Dust Warning.

Removal Procedure

1. Inspect the fluid level in the brake master cylinder reservoir.
2. If the brake fluid level is midway between the maximum-full point and the minimum allowable level, no brake fluid needs to be removed from the reservoir before proceeding.
3. If the brake fluid level is higher than midway between the maximum-full point and the minimum allowable level, remove brake fluid to the midway point before proceeding.
4. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle See: Vehicle Lifting > Procedures > Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
5. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation See: Wheels and Tires > Removal and Replacement > Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
6. If installing the original brake rotor, mark the relationship of the brake rotor to the hub.

pic 6

7. Compress the brake caliper pistons.

1. Install 2 large C-clamps over the top of the caliper housing and against the back of the outboard brake pad.
2. Slowly tighten the C-clamps until the caliper pistons are pushed completely into the caliper bores.
3. Remove the C-clamps from the caliper.

pic 7

Caution: Support the brake caliper with heavy mechanic wire, or equivalent, whenever it is separated from its mount and the hydraulic flexible brake hose is still connected. Failure to support the caliper in this manner will cause the flexible brake hose to bear the weight of the caliper, which may cause damage to the brake hose and in turn may cause a brake fluid leak.

Note: Remove the brake caliper and bracket as a single unit. It is not necessary to separate them.

8. Remove the 2 brake caliper bracket mounting bolts.
9. Remove the caliper and bracket assembly and support with heavy mechanics wire or equivalent.
10. Remove the rotor retaining push nuts from the wheel studs, if applicable.
11. It may be necessary to strike the end of the hub or the rotor with a deadblow hammer to separate the rotor from the hub.

1. Install the wheel nuts on the wheel studs to protect the ends of the wheel studs.
2. Strike the brake rotor between the wheel studs to separate the brake rotor from the wheel hub.
3. Remove the wheel nuts.

pic 8

12. Remove the brake rotor.
13. If the brake does not separate from the wheel hub, perform the following steps.

* Clean all the surface areas and the threaded holes of contamination.
* Generously apply penetrating oil or the equivalent to the hub/rotor area.
* Insert 2 M10 x 1.5 bolts into the threaded holes of the rotor.
* Tighten both bolts evenly to force the rotor from the hub.

Installation Procedure

Note: Whenever the brake rotor has been separated from the hub/axle flange, any rust or contaminants should be cleaned from the hub/axle flange and the brake rotor mating surfaces. Failure to do this may result in excessive assembled lateral runout (LRO) of the brake rotor, which could lead to brake pulsation.

1. Use the J-42450-A - Wheel Hub Resurfacing Kit to clean all rust and contaminants from the mating surface of the hub flange.
2. Inspect the mating surfaces of the hub/axle flange and the rotor to ensure that there are no foreign particles or debris remaining.

pic 9

Note: If the rotor was removed using the jack screw method you must ensure that the hub flange is free of nicks or marks caused by this procedure. Remove all raised nicks or marks before installing the rotor.

3. Align the rotor to its original position on the hub, if applicable, and install the rotor.

pic 10

4. Install the brake caliper and bracket assembly.
5. Perform the following procedure before installing the caliper bracket mounting bolts.

1. Remove all traces of the original adhesive patch.
2. Clean the threads of the bolts with brake parts cleaner or equivalent and allow to dry.
3. Apply Threadlocker GM P/N 12345493 (Canadian P/N 10953488) to the threads of the bolts.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution See: Vehicle > Vehicle Damage Warnings > Fastener Caution.

6. Install the brake caliper bracket mounting bolts and tighten to 300 Nm (221 lb ft).
7. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation See: Wheels and Tires > Removal and Replacement > Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
8. With the engine OFF, gradually apply the brake pedal to approximately 2/3 of its travel distance.
9. Slowly release the brake pedal.
10. Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 8-9 until a firm pedal is obtained to properly seat the brake caliper pistons and the brake pads.
11. Fill the master cylinder reservoir to the proper level with clean brake fluid. Refer to Master Cylinder Reservoir Filling See: Brake Master Cylinder > Procedures > Master Cylinder Reservoir Filling.
12. If the brake rotor was refinished or replaced, burnish the brake pads and rotors. Refer to Brake Pad and Rotor Burnishing See: Brake Pad > Procedures > Brake Pad and Rotor Burnishing

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I hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions.

Take care and God Bless,

Joe