By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse
Short answer: Most 2011-2017 Buick Regal sedans use vented front and rear discs on a 5-lug (5x120) hub; ~321mm fronts on 2.4L and 2.0T, ~345mm Brembo fronts on the GS. Parking brake is a drum-in-hat design; the 2018-2020 redesign went electronic. This guide walks through the exact diagnostic steps, replacement thresholds, product comparisons, and cost breakdown so you can decide with confidence whether to DIY or take it to a shop.
Direct experience note: we ship these parts daily from our Circleville, OH warehouse to customers across the country. The picks in this guide reflect what fits, what lasts, and what our repeat-buyer mechanics come back for.
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Shop Brake Pads & Kits →What to Know About Buick Regal Brake Replacement
Understanding Buick Regal brake replacement matters because it directly affects stopping distance, brake pedal feel, and how often you replace consumables. Getting it right the first time saves both money and follow-up shop visits.
- Front and rear are both vented disc brakes; there are no rear drums on the sedan, though a small parking-brake drum lives inside the rear rotor hat.
- Standard 2.4L and 2.0T trims run roughly 321mm (12.6 in) front rotors with a single-piston sliding caliper.
- The Regal GS upgrades to 4-piston Brembo front calipers on larger ~345mm (13.6 in) rotors, so pads and rotors are trim-specific.
- Bolt pattern is 5-lug 5x120 on most 2011-2017 cars, though GS wheels are often 5x115, so confirm before buying wheels or hubs.
- The 2011-2017 sedan uses a foot-pedal parking brake acting on internal drum-in-hat shoes; the 2018-2020 redesign switched to an electronic parking brake.
- Lug nuts torque to about 100 ft-lb (135 Nm) in a star pattern, and the 321mm front rotor spec is roughly 30mm new / 27mm discard.
Spec Chart by Vehicle Class
| Vehicle class | Pad thickness | Rotor thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Front rotors | Vented disc, ~321mm (12.6 in) | ~30mm new / 27mm min on 2.4L and 2.0T |
| GS front brakes | 4-piston Brembo, ~345mm (13.6 in) | Larger vented rotor, GS trim only |
| Rear rotors | Vented disc, single-piston caliper | Parking-brake shoes ride inside rotor hat |
| Bolt pattern | 5-lug, 5x120 (GS often 5x115) | Lugs ~100 ft-lb, star pattern |
| Parking brake | Drum-in-hat internal shoes | Foot pedal 2011-17; electronic 2018-20 |
How to Diagnose or Replace
- Loosen the lug nuts, raise the car on jack stands, and remove the wheels to expose the brakes.
- Unbolt the caliper guide pins, lift the caliper off, and hang it so the hose is not strained.
- Slide out the old pads, then remove the two caliper bracket bolts to free the bracket.
- Remove the small retaining screw if present and pull the rotor off the hub.
- Clean the hub face, mount the new rotor, and reinstall the bracket to torque spec.
- Compress the piston, fit new pads and hardware, and reinstall the caliper on its pins.
- Remount the wheels, torque lugs to about 100 ft-lb, then pump the pedal firm before driving.
Once diagnosis is complete, order the exact replacement parts for your vehicle - fitment matters. Related Buick Regal brake replacement products are listed in the next section.
Recommended Parts and Where to Buy
Every product below is in stock at our Circleville, OH warehouse and ships same-day when ordered before 2 PM Eastern. Free shipping on orders over $75.
If your exact vehicle is not listed, use the site search or filter the full brake parts collection by year and make.
Cost Breakdown - DIY vs Shop
| Job | DIY parts only | Shop parts and labor |
|---|---|---|
| Front pads only | $35-90 parts | $150-300 at a shop |
| Front pads + rotors | $120-280 parts | $300-550 at a shop |
| Rear pads + rotors | $110-260 parts | $280-500 at a shop |
| GS Brembo front pads | $90-200 parts | $250-450 at a shop |
DIY savings scale with vehicle size and job complexity. A full-size truck brake job saves $450-700 in labor. For most passenger cars, plan on 90-120 minutes per axle for pads only, 2-3 hours for pads plus rotors.
Install Tips - Where Most DIYers Go Wrong
- Bed in new pads with 8-10 moderate stops from about 40 mph, avoiding a single hard panic stop.
- Inspect and clean the drum-in-hat parking-brake shoes inside each rear rotor hat while the rotor is off.
- Seat the piston with a proper tool, then retorque lug nuts in a star pattern after about 50 miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the short answer on Buick Regal brake replacement?
Most 2011-2017 Buick Regal sedans use vented front and rear discs on a 5-lug (5x120) hub; ~321mm fronts on 2.4L and 2.0T, ~345mm Brembo fronts on the GS. Parking brake is a drum-in-hat design; the 2018-2020 redesign went electronic.
How much does Buick Regal brake replacement cost?
It depends on your vehicle and how much you replace. For example, front pads only runs about $35-90 parts in parts for a DIY job, or $150-300 at a shop at a shop with labor included. The full cost breakdown is in the table above.
What should I check first?
Key things to check: Front and rear are both vented disc brakes; there are no rear drums on the sedan, though a small parking-brake drum lives inside the rear rotor hat; Standard 2.4L and 2.0T trims run roughly 321mm (12.6 in) front rotors with a single-piston sliding caliper.
Can I do this job myself?
Many DIYers can with basic tools. The first steps are: Loosen the lug nuts, raise the car on jack stands, and remove the wheels to expose the brakes; Unbolt the caliper guide pins, lift the caliper off, and hang it so the hose is not strained; Slide out the old pads, then remove the two caliper bracket bolts to free the bracket. The complete step-by-step is above.
Key Takeaways
- Most 2011-2017 Buick Regal sedans use vented front and rear discs on a 5-lug (5x120) hub; ~321mm fronts on 2.4L and 2.0T, ~345mm Brembo fronts on the GS. Parking brake is a drum-in-hat design; the 2018-2020 redesign went electronic.
- Measure friction material and rotor thickness at every tire rotation - catches wear before it becomes damage.
- Replace pads at 3 mm; below 2 mm is unsafe.
- Loaded calipers (with brackets, pads, and hoses) save 1-1.5 hours of labor per side over bare calipers.
- Bed new pads properly with 8-10 medium stops from 40 to 10 mph.
- Free shipping on orders over $75; same-day shipping on in-stock orders before 2 PM Eastern.
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