Brake Job procedure?

Can anyone please provide the procedures for changing the brakes on the front of a 2001 Yukon. Specifically what I am having a problem with is getting the pads out of the caliper. Do you have to remove the two torx bolts from the caliper to create enough space for the pads to slide out? I have removed the caliper from the rotor, but can not get the the pads to come out. I will need to buy a torx bit to fit if necessary. Anybody know what size it is?

thanks, I tried searching a few different methods, but came up empty.

Here is the front. Take care, Eggert :bananasmi

Brake Pads Replacement - Front
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 in Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle General Information.
5. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to in Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Tires and Wheels.
6. Inspect the caliper operation. Refer to Brake Caliper Inspection.
Notice: Support the brake caliper with heavy mechanic's wire, or equivalent, whenever it is separated from it's 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.
7. Remove the caliper from the mounting bracket and support the caliper with heavy mechanic's wire or equivalent. DO NOT disconnect the hydraulic brake flexible hose from the caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement - Front.
8. Remove the brake pads from the caliper mounting bracket.
9. Remove and discard the anti-rattle clips from the brake caliper mounting bracket.
10. Inspect the caliper and mounting bracket. Refer to Brake Caliper Inspection.

Installation Procedure
1. Install new anti-rattle clips to the inside ends of the caliper mounting bracket.
2. Install the brake pads to the caliper mounting --bracket.
• Install the inner pad (1 wear indicator).
• Install the outer pad (2 wear indicators).
3. Install the brake caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement-Front.
4. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
5. Remove the safety stands.
6. tower the vehicle.
7. With the engine OFF, gradually apply the brake pedal to approximately 2/3 of it's travel distance.
8. Slowly release the brake pedal.
9. Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 7-8 until a firm pedal is obtained. This will properly seat the brake caliper pistons and brake pads.
10. Fill the master cylinder reservoir to the proper level with clean brake fluid. Refer to Master Cylinder Reservoir Filling in Hydraulic Brakes.
11. Burnish the brake pads and rotors. Refer to Burnishing Pads and Rotors.


Brake Caliper Replacement - Front
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 in General Information.
5. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
6. Inspect the caliper operation. Refer to Brake Caliper Inspection.
7. Compress the brake caliper piston.
• Install a large C-clamp over the top of the caliper housing and against the back of the outboard pad.
• Slowly tighten the C-clamp until the piston is pushed completely into the caliper bore.
• Remove the C-clamp from the caliper.
8. Clean all dirt and foreign material from the brake hose end.
Important: Install a rubber cap or plug to the exposed, brake pipe fitting end to prevent brake fluid loss and contamination.
9. Remove the brake hose to caliper bolt from the brake caliper.
10. Remove the brake hose from the caliper.
11. Remove and discard the 2 copper brake hose gaskets. These gaskets may be stuck to the brake caliper and/or the brake hose end.
12. Remove the brake caliper mounting bolts.
Caution: Do not depress the brake pedal with the brake rotors/calipers and/or the brake drums removed. Damage to the brake system may result If brake system damage occurs and is not repaired, vehicle damage and/or personal Injury or death may result.
13. Remove the brake caliper from the vehicle.
14. Inspect the caliper assembly. Refer to Brake Caliper Inspection.

Installation Procedure
1. Install the brake caliper to the vehicle.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.
2. Install the brake caliper mounting bolts. Tighten
Tighten the brake caliper mounting bolts to 108 N-m (80 Ib ft).
3. Remove the rubber cap or plug from the exposed brake hose fitting end.
Important: Install NEW copper brake hose gaskets.
4. Assemble the NEW copper brake hose gaskets and the brake hose inlet fitting bolt to the brake hose.
5. Install the brake hose inlet fitting bolt to the brake caliper.
Tighten
Tighten the inlet fitting bolt to 45 N-m (33 lb ft).
6. Bleed the hydraulic brake system. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding (Manual) or Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding (Pressure) in Hydraulic Brakes.
7. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
8. Remove the safety stands.
9. Lower the vehicle.
10. Fill the master cylinder reservoir to the proper level with clean brake fluid. Refer to Master Cylinder Reservoir Filling in Hydraulic Brakes.

Excellent writeup Eggert!

Do you have one for the rear drums too? I need to replace them this summer. TIA!

Here's the rear for the 1500's. Take care, Eggert :bananasmi

Brake Pads Replacement – Rear (15 Series)

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 in General Information.
5. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
6. Inspect the caliper operation. Refer to Brake
Caliper Inspection.
Notice: Support the brake caliper with heavy mechanic's wire, or equivalent, whenever it is separated from it's 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.
7. Remove the caliper from the mounting bracket and support the caliper with heavy mechanic's wire or equivalent. DO NOT disconnect the hydraulic brake flexible hose from the caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement - Front.
8. Inspect the caliper assembly. Refer to Brake Caliper Inspection.
9. Remove the brake pads from the brake caliper bracket.
10. Remove the brake pad retainers from the brake caliper bracket.

Installation Procedure
Important: Use denatured alcohol to clean the outside surface of caliper boot before installing new brake pads.
1. If you are installing new brake pads, use a C-clamp in order to compress the piston to the bottom of the caliper bore. Use the old brake pad, a metal plate or a wooden block across the face of the piston in order to protect the piston and the caliper boot.
Important: Use a small flat-bladed tool and lift the inner edge caliper boot next to the piston to release any trapped air.
2. Ensure that the piston boot is below the level of the piston face.
3. Install the brake pad retainers to the caliper bracket.
Important: Ensure that the wear sensor is positioned at the leading edge (upward) of the inner pad during forward wheel rotation.
4. Install the brake pads over the brake pad retainers and onto the caliper bracket.
5. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
6. Lower the vehicle.
7. With the engine OFF, gradually apply the brake pedal to approximately 2/3 of it's travel distance.
8. Slowly release the brake pedal.
9. Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 7-8 until a firm pedal is obtained. This will properly seat the brake caliper pistons and brake pads.
10. Fill the master cylinder reservoir to the proper level with clean brake fluid. Refer to Master Cylinder Reservoir Filling in Hydraulic Brakes.
11. Burnish the pads and the rotors. Refer to Burnishing Pads and Rotors.

Burnishing Pads and Rotors
Caution: Refer to Road Test Caution in Cautions and Notices.
Burnishing the brake pads and brake rotors is necessary in order to ensure that the braking surfaces are properly prepared after service has been performed on the disc brake system.
This procedure should be performed whenever the disc brake rotors have been refinished or replaced, and/or whenever the disc brake pads have been replaced.
1. Select a smooth road with little or no traffic.
2. Accelerate the vehicle to 48 km/h (30 mph).
Important: Use care to avoid overheating the brakes while performing this step.
3. Using moderate to firm pressure, apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to a stop. Do not allow the brakes to lock.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until approximately 20 stops have been completed. Allow sufficient cooling periods between stops in order to properly burnish the brake pads and rotors.

Park Brake Shoe Replacement (15 Series)

Removal Procedure
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the tire and the wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
3. Relieve the tension on the park brake cables by loosening the nut at the equalizer.
4. Remove the park brake cable from the park brake actuator lever.
5. Remove the rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement - Rear (Except Dual Wheels) or Brake Rotor Replacement - Rear (Dual Wheels) in Disc Brakes.
6. Turn the adjustment screw (1) to the fully home position in the notched adjustment nut.
7. Remove the park brake shoe assembly from the backing plate by removing the tips from the slots and sliding the shoe (2) towards the retaining spring (3) until the shoe disengages from the spring.
8. Remove the park brake shoe assembly from the vehicle by placing one of the open ends of the shoe over the axle flange and rotating the shoe until it has cleared the flange.

Installation Procedure
1. Clean the debris and the dust from the park brake components using a clean shop cloth.
2. Align the slots in both the adjusting screw and tappet (1) to be parallel with the backing plate face.
3. Install the park brake shoe assembly (2) to the vehicle by placing one of the open ends of the shoe over the axle flange and rotating the shoe until it is behind the flange.
4. Position the park brake shoe on the inboard side of the actuator.
5. Slide the park brake sh6e into position and seat into the retaining spring (3).
6. Inspect the shoe assembly position. The shoe must be central on the backing plate with both tips located in the slots.
7. Adjust the park brake shoe. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment.
8. Install the rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement - Rear (Except Dual Wheels) or Brake Rotor Replacement - Rear (Dual Wheels) in Disc Brakes.
9. Install the park brake cable to the park brake actuator lever.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.
10. Tighten the nut to the intermediate cable at the equalizer.
Tighten the nut to 3.5 N-m (31 Ib in).
11. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
12. Remove the safety stands.
13. Lower the vehicle.
14. Adjust park brake cable. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment.

Park Brake Adjustment

Park Brake Shoe Adjustment
Tools Required
J21177-A Drum-to-Brake Shoe Clearance Gauge
Important: The park brake shoes must be adjusted before the park brake pedal is adjusted.
1. Set the J 21177-A so that it contacts the inside diameter of the rotor.
2. Position the J21177-A over the shoe and the lining at the widest point.
3. Turn the adjuster nut until the lining just contacts the J21177-A.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the opposite side.
5. The clearance between the park brake shoe and the rotor is 0.6604 mm (0.026 in).

Park Brake Pedal Adjustment
Important: Before you adjust the park brake, verify that the park brake shoes are adjusted to provide a clearance of 0.6604 mm (0.026 in).
1. Verify that the self adjuster lock-out pin has be removed.
2. Fully apply and release the park brake pedal 3 times.

Thank you!

Thanks for the write up. Still unclear as to whether or not the torx bolts on the caliper need to be loosened. However I did not compress the piston in. Maybe that needs to be done for the removal of the pad. The torx bit is rather big. I haven't looked at it in a while, but seems like it would be like a T 60 or something.