How to Replace the Brakes on a 1999 Chevy Blazer

The brake system on a 1999 Chevy Blazer is made up of the brake pads, brake calipers and brake rotors. All of these components work in conjunction with one another to stop the Blazer when the brake pedal is applied. When the brake pedal is pushed in, the brake fluid pushes the caliper cylinder inward. The caliper cylinder then compresses the brake pads to the brake rotors to stop the Blazer. When the brake pads wear down they need to be replaced before the worn pads damage the brake rotors.

Park the 1999 Chevy Blazer and set the emergency brake. Turn the wheels to the far right while the engine is running. Open the hood and remover the brake fluid reservoir lid.

Loosen the lug nuts by turning the lug nuts counter clockwise with the lug wrench. Be sure to loosen the lug nuts on both front wheels.

Slide the jack under the front of the Blazer and jack the truck up in the air. Insert jack stands under both sides of the Blazer. Be sure to position the jack stands under the frame rail on both sides of the truck near the front wheels. Lower the Blazer onto the jack stands.

Use a lug wrench to unscrew the lug nuts from both front wheels. Pull the front wheels off and set them aside. Start the brake pad replacement on the front driver’s side of the Blazer.

Locate the opening on the top of the brake caliper. Slide the pry bar into the opening and pry the caliper back and forth. This will free up the brake caliper from the brake rotor so that you can slide the caliper off of the rotor.

Inspect the rear of the brake caliper and locate the two slide bolts that connect the caliper to the caliper bracket.

Remove the two slide bolts with the ½-inch drive ratchet and a socket. Pull the caliper off of the brake rotor. Attach the caliper to the front shock or the frame with a bungee cord and remove the brake pads.

Compress the caliper cylinder with the C-clamp. Be sure to compress the caliper cylinder until the cylinder is fully compressed into the caliper housing. This will give you the room needed to slide the brake caliper with the new brake pads over the brake rotor.

Slide the new brake pads into the brake caliper. Remove the bungee cord from the caliper and reinstall the caliper back over the brake rotor. Slide the two caliper slide bolts back into the rear of the caliper. Tighten down the caliper slide bolts with the ½-inch drive ratchet and a socket.

Slide the wheel back onto the hub and screw the lug nuts back onto the lugs. Tighten the lugs down with the lug wrench until the wheel begins to turn. Follow these same exact steps for replacing the brake pads on the front passenger side of the Blazer as well.

Jack the Blazer up and remove the jack stands. Lower the Blazer to the ground.

Crank the Blazer and push the brake pedal in and out seven or eight times to set the new brake pads to the brake rotor. Turn the Blazer off.

Check the brake fluid level. Add DOT-3 brake fluid if the level is low. Close the hood.