🔧 Explorer - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, unbolt the rear calipers/brackets, swap the rotors, then install new pads with fresh hardware. This restores stopping power and prevents pulsation or grinding when rotors are worn, warped, or rust-lipped.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the Explorer on jack stands before going under it.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake before removing rear rotors (your Explorer uses a drum-style parking brake inside the rotor “hat”).
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed (it can push the piston out).
• ⚠️ Avoid breathing brake dust; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Wheel chocks
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) x2
• 21mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs range)
• 13mm socket
• 13mm box wrench
• 18mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• 6" extension (3/8" drive)
• Large C-clamp (6" minimum)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray
• Micrometer or vernier caliper (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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake pad hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 quart
• Parking brake shoes (optional, if worn/contaminated) - Qty: 1 set

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the engine off, and place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake fully.
• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen rear lug nuts 1/2 turn (don’t remove yet).
• Lift the rear with a floor jack and support the frame on jack stands.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level; be ready to remove a little fluid if it rises when compressing pistons.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the rear wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and remove the lug nuts, then remove both rear wheels.

Step 2: Remove the caliper (don’t let it hang)

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed; rear access is straight-on.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the two caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord (do not stretch the brake hose).
• Tip: Take a quick photo of pad orientation.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the old pads out of the bracket by hand (use a flat-blade screwdriver gently if stuck).
• Remove the old pad clips/hardware from the bracket.

Step 4: Compress the caliper piston

• Place one old brake pad against the piston face.
• Use a large C-clamp to slowly compress the piston fully into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir; if it gets too full, remove a small amount to prevent overflow.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use an 18mm socket and breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket and set it aside.
• Clean the bracket pad lands (where clips sit) using a wire brush and brake cleaner spray.
• Reinstall later and Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Remove the rotor (and handle the parking brake setup)

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it’s rust-stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet to break it free.
• If the rotor won’t come off, the parking brake shoes may be holding it:
  • Make sure the parking brake is fully released.
  • Use a flat-blade screwdriver through the access slot (if present) to back off the star adjuster slightly until the rotor loosens.

Step 7: Prep the hub and install the new rotor

• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and brake cleaner spray so the rotor sits flat.
• Apply a very thin smear of anti-seize compound to the hub center (avoid the wheel studs and rotor braking surface).
• Install the new rotor onto the hub.
• Tip: Clean new rotors with brake cleaner first.

Step 8: Install new pad hardware and pads

• Snap the new pad clips/hardware into the bracket.
• Apply a light film of brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) where the pad ears contact the clips (not on the friction material).
• Install the new pads into the bracket in the same positions as removed.

Step 9: Service slide pins and reinstall caliper bracket

• Pull the slide pins out (they’re the smooth pins the caliper “floats” on), wipe old grease off, and re-grease with brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone).
• Reinstall the bracket using an 18mm socket.
• Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall caliper

• Position the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the caliper slide bolts using a 13mm socket while holding the slide pin flats (if they spin) with a 13mm box wrench.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Repeat on the other side

• Repeat Steps 2-10 on the other rear wheel.
• Tip: Do one side at a time for reference.

Step 12: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall both wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Explorer to the ground using the floor jack.
• Use a 21mm socket and torque wrench to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly 8-10 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons against the new pads).
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 if needed.
• Test the parking brake hold on a gentle incline, then release it and ensure the rear wheels spin freely when lifted (no dragging).
• Bed-in (break-in) the pads: make 6-8 moderate stops from 40 to 10 mph, with 30 seconds of driving between stops to cool.
• Recheck for leaks, unusual noises, and verify lug torque after 50-100 miles.

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💰 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.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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