🔧 E-150 - Rear Brake Service (Pads/Rotors or Shoes/Drums)

On your E-150, the rear brakes may be disc brakes (pads + rotors) or drum brakes (shoes + drums) depending on configuration. The correct steps, parts, and especially torque specs are different, so we need to identify which rear brake setup you have before I walk you through the full replacement.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Work on a flat, solid surface; never on dirt or a slope.
• 🧱 Support the van with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack.
• 🪵 Chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• 🔥 Brakes can be hot—let everything cool before touching.
• 🧪 Avoid breathing brake dust; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 13/16" socket
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (20-250 ft-lbs range)
• Ratchet (3/8")
• Socket set (8mm-21mm)
• Combination wrench set (8mm-21mm)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Pliers
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord
• Brake cleaner
• Catch pan
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• C-clamp (6")
• Disc brake piston compressor kit (specialty)
• Drum brake spring pliers (specialty)
• Brake adjusting spoon (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Rear brake caliper hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Rear brake shoe set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake drums - Qty: 2
• Rear drum brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 quart

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks in front of both front tires.
• Crack the rear lug nuts loose 1/2 turn with a 21mm socket or 13/16" socket and a breaker bar before lifting.
• Tip: If the parking brake is weak, chock extra.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Identify your rear brake type (disc vs drum)

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift one rear corner slightly (just enough to look behind the wheel).
• Look through the wheel openings with a flashlight (or remove the wheel with a 21mm socket or 13/16" socket).
• If you see a caliper (a clamp-looking part) squeezing a flat disc, you have rear disc brakes (pads + rotors).
• If you see a round enclosed housing and no caliper, you have rear drum brakes (shoes + drums).

Step 2: Send me one photo so I can give exact steps + torque specs

• Remove the wheel using a 21mm socket or 13/16" socket.
• Take a clear photo of the entire rear brake assembly (caliper/rotor or drum backing plate area) and upload it here.

Step 3: Safe stopping point

• Lower the van back down with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) if you’re not continuing immediately.
• Keep your tools and lug nuts together in a tray.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧾 Once I confirm your brake type, I’ll give the correct finishing steps (pedal pump procedure, parking brake check, and a safe test-drive routine).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$450 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$450 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

Reply with: (1) disc or drum rear brakes, and (2) upload a quick photo of the rear brake with the wheel off. HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.