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I have a 2002 GMC Yukon 1500XL. The right rear brake caliper went bad because of a torn rubber boot, which caused the brake pads on that wheel to wear out really quickly. I replaced the caliper, rotor and pads on that wheel. The left rear wheel is still in good shape, with a good caliper, a good rotor with plenty of thickness and 9/32" of brake pad lining on both inner and outer brake pads.

I don't understand why I would need to replace the pads (and rotor) on left rear wheel just because I replaced the pads on the right rear?

I want to leave the left rear as is just in case that caliper were to go bad 10k miles from now.

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
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Karl
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2 Answers2

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There are two main reasons:

  1. So that both sides of the brake equation are equal. This means they are both starting at the same place again.

  2. When you purchase brake pads, they come in sets for both sides. Since you have to purchase new brake pads anyway, you should put them on there or it's a waste of money.

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
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The only reason for replacing both at the same time is so that they brake evenly. This is more essential on the front of the vehicle.

If you were to stamp on the brakes in an emergency, you wouldn't want the car to swerve into oncoming cars because the brake on one side of your car worked better than the other.

Edit - make that 3 reasons if you add paulster's.

HandyHowie
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