🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll be removing the rear wheels, calipers, and caliper brackets so you can replace the brake pads and rotors. On your Grand Cherokee, the parking brake is a small drum brake inside the rear rotor “hat,” so rotor removal sometimes requires backing off the parking brake adjuster.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the SUV with jack stands before going under it.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful—use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Keep grease/oil off the pad friction material and rotor faces.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake fully before starting (rear rotors won’t come off if it’s applied).

---

🔧 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
• 19mm lug socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (30-200 ft-lbs range)
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 15mm wrench
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• Long flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp (6" minimum)
• Caliper hanger hook or bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray
• Catch pan
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone brake grease) - Qty: 1
• Brake hardware kit (rear) - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 quart

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the transmission in Park, and release the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• Break the rear lug nuts loose 1/2 turn using a 19mm lug socket and breaker bar.
• Lift the rear with a floor jack and support with jack stands under the rear lift points.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the rear wheels

• Use a 19mm lug socket and ratchet to remove the lug nuts, then remove the wheel.
• Slide the wheel under the frame as backup.

Step 2: Remove the caliper (so the pads can come out)

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed for rear, but rotate the rotor by hand to position bolts for access.
• Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the back of the caliper.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the slide pin bolts while holding the pin flats with a 15mm wrench if the pin wants to spin.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it using a caliper hanger hook or bungee cord.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer pads out by hand (use a flathead screwdriver gently if they’re stuck).
• Remove the stainless pad clips (hardware) from the caliper bracket.
• Clean the bracket pad lands (where the clips sit) using brake cleaner spray and a wire brush.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use an 18mm socket and breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket-to-knuckle bolts.
• Set the bracket aside.
• When reinstalling later: Torque to 136 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the rotor (and deal with the parking brake if it’s stuck)

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub. If it’s stuck, tap around the rotor hat with a rubber mallet.
• If the rotor won’t come off, the parking brake shoes are holding it:
• Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the rubber access plug on the backing plate (if equipped).
• Through the access hole, use the flathead screwdriver to turn the star wheel adjuster to back the shoes off a few clicks, then try removing the rotor again.
• Small turns—check often so you don’t over-loosen.

Step 6: Prep the hub and install the new rotor

• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and spray with brake cleaner.
• Clean the new rotor faces with brake cleaner spray and wipe dry.
• Install the new rotor onto the hub.

Step 7: Service the slide pins and install new hardware

• Pull the caliper slide pins out of the bracket by hand.
• Wipe them clean, then apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone brake grease).
• Reinstall the slide pins and make sure they move smoothly (they should glide in/out).
• Install the new stainless pad clips from the brake hardware kit (rear) into the bracket.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Position the bracket over the rotor.
• Install the bracket bolts using an 18mm socket and ratchet, then tighten with a torque wrench.
• Torque to 136 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Place the old inner pad against the piston face.
• Use a C-clamp to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
• Keep an eye on the brake fluid level in the reservoir (it can rise).
• Go slow to avoid damaging seals.

Step 10: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.
• Set the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 13mm socket (hold the pin with a 15mm wrench if needed).
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Install the wheel and hand-thread the lug nuts.
• Lower the SUV until the tire just touches the ground.
• Use a torque wrench with a 19mm lug socket to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the other rear side

• Do the same steps on the other rear wheel.
• Always replace pads and rotors in pairs.

---

✅ After Repair

• With the engine off, press the brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons).
• Check the brake fluid level; top off with DOT 3 if needed.
• Test the parking brake: apply/release it to ensure it holds and releases normally.
• Do a careful test drive: start at low speed and confirm normal stopping with no pulling or grinding.
• Pad bedding (recommended): make 6-10 medium stops from 30–40 mph with cool-down time between stops.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a torque wrench.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $160-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

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.