Changing the brake pads on the Chevrolet Equinox is easy enough to do in your own driveway. Each wheel will only take about thirty minutes to complete. The brake pads and rotors use friction to slow and stop the Equinox. They eventually wear down, and you need to replace them.
Open the engine compartment and remove 2/3 of the brake fluid from the master brake cylinder using the turkey baster. Put the fluid in the drain pan for later recycling.
Place the wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Raise the Equinox up with the automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the Chevy near the jacking point and raise it to the frame of the vehicle. Remove the wheel using the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts.
Loosen one bolt on the brake caliper with a socket and ratchet and pivot the caliper up. Remove the front brake pad, but leave the back one in. Use the c-clamp to push the caliper piston back into the caliper housing. Place one jaw on the back of the caliper and the other jaw on the back brake pad and twist it until the piston seats itself. Remove the remaining brake pad from the caliper.
Insert the new brake pads into the caliper. Pivot the caliper down onto the wheel assembly. Tighten the retaining bolt with the socket and ratchet. Place the wheel back on the Equinox and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the vehicle. Lower the Chevy to the ground and repeat the process on the other wheel.
Add fresh brake fluid to the master cylinder as needed. Pump the brakes several times until the pedal feels firm. This will seat the brake pads against the brake rotor. Check the brake fluid again to be sure it is at proper levels.
