Changing the brakes on 2020 GMC Sierra 1500

[Gangly]

There is a requirement to change the brake pad level sensor when you change the pads.  Also, there is a pressure buildup procedure to be done before you start up the engine, and if that is not completed the brake pad service performed will throw codes.

 

"-With the engine OFF, gradually apply the brake pedal to approximately 2/3 of its travel distance for 45 seconds.

-Slowly release the brake pedal.

-Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 7–8 until a firm brake pedal is obtained."

 

This helps seat the pads and the piston allowing for proper pressure in the system.

[BIGDOGx]

Crazy, brakes on a 2020?? Hell i have over 7 years and close to 50k miles on my oem brakes now....

 

And for the love of god people, please stop buying that china powerstop junk, if you are not going to a big brake setup from Brembo or Wilwood you are wasting your time and money imo! Either spend the premium to get quality or just remain oem imo.

[Peterr]

The service manual directs you to disconnect the negative battery cable before servicing the brake pads. If you don't, by the time you turn the truck on, you'll get two codes: a brake control module code saying it lost hydraulic pressure, and another code telling the ECM to turn on the check engine light. You can clear these codes and restart the truck and it should be fine. The manual states that the brake system on the truck goes through automated self-tests and compressing the calipers with the battery connected messes with the computer. Has nothing the do with brand of brake pads or anything at all, just disconnect the battery for the brake job. At the end of the brake job, you can reconnect the battery terminal and pump the brake pedal before turning the ignition on. Then there's no lights.

Edited September 28, 2021 by Peterr

[onekama_mi]

I find it difficult to understand why GM chassis engineers didn't include a "service brake" option in the settings menu of the driver information center.  Other manufacturers do this and the system backs off the pistons at all four corners.  Throwing codes after a pad change is just bad design, or if you prefer, design for "un-serviceability".

[chovaz]

On 4/22/2022 at 7:16 PM, onekama_mi said:

I find it difficult to understand why GM chassis engineers didn't include a "service brake" option in the settings menu of the driver information center.  Other manufacturers do this and the system backs off the pistons at all four corners.  Throwing codes after a pad change is just bad design, or if you prefer, design for "un-serviceability".

They did. Sort of (just not directly in the menu)

 

 

Edited October 12, 2022 by chovaz

[Bszko]

On 12/20/2020 at 10:26 AM, RWTJR said:

I feel this is one of the biggest shortfall of forums. Too often people post their issues and never come back and share the solution.

So im here to hopefully help. I found this forum after I experienced the same issue after a brake and rotor change out at 50,000 miles. I put my emergency brake into service mode. Did the brake change out. Started my truck and the check engine, abs, trac control,  parking brake were on, as well as a warning for limp mode. So i unhooked my negative terminal for 45 mins, hooked it back up and everything cleares up and pad life indicator reset itself. 

SIDE NOTE: I have a 2022 Chevy trail boss LT. 

[Zach T.]

Found out the hard way, but there is a “brake service” mode you can use to change the rear pads. It electronically disengages the parking brake so you don’t have to spin the piston flush with the caliper. 

I removed the caliper completely because I couldn’t get the piston to recede. Lost all brake fluid to that caliper and now I’m waiting for a scan tool to clear codes just so I can bleed the brakes. I love the truck but it’s not easy to work on anything without getting error codes. 

[NAH]

On 12/3/2020 at 11:21 PM, Charles Busby said:

I changed the front pads and now I have a bunch of warning lights and messages like the speed being limited to 43 mph, traction control is off, abs light is on ect.... What do I need to do next?

I know this is old but just in case anyone else runs in to this problem here is the fix.

 

Put the truck in brake service mode. Do this by turning the ignition on (do not start), press and hold the brake pedal down, pres and hold the parking brake button for 10 seconds, release the brake pedal, release the parking brake button, then press the parking brake button again. You should get a brake like with a wrench on it of done correctly. 

 

Next you want to start the truck, and while in brake service mode, delete the codes. 

 

To exit brake service mode, turn the ignition on again, hold the brake pedal down, press and hold the parking brake button for 5 seconds. 

 

You should be good to go after this.