🔧 Patriot - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

This job replaces your worn rear brake pads and rotors so you get smooth, quiet braking again. You’ll remove the rear caliper, swap the pads/rotor, and reassemble with correct torque so nothing loosens up.

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

Assumption: Most Patriots use rear disc brakes with a drum-in-hat parking brake; steps include a “rear drum” alternate at the end just in case yours has drums.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🧯 Work on level ground and support the rear with jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• 🧤 Brake dust is harmful—wear gloves and a dust mask; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• 🔥 Brakes can be hot—let everything cool before touching calipers/rotors.
• 🧴 Brake fluid damages paint—cover fenders and wipe spills immediately.
• 🔒 Chock the front wheels; you’ll release the parking brake during the job.

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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
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Dust mask
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 1/2" (20-150 ft-lb range)
• Torque wrench 3/8" (10-80 ft-lb range)
• Socket set metric (13mm, 15mm, 18mm)
• Ratchet 3/8"
• Ratchet 1/2"
• Open-end wrench metric (15mm)
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp 6"
• Brake caliper hanger hook (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Bungee cord
• Catch pan

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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 hardware kit (abutment clips) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin boots (if torn) - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• High-temp silicone brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 quart

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, put the transmission in 1st gear, and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• 🔓 Slightly loosen rear wheel lug nuts before lifting.
• 🧴 Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; keep the cap loosely on so pressure can vent while compressing pistons.
• 📌 A “caliper hanger hook” is a simple hook that holds the caliper so it doesn’t hang by the brake hose.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Use a breaker bar 1/2" and socket set metric to loosen the rear lug nuts 1/2 turn.
• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear and place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the rear pinch welds or rear subframe points.
• Remove the wheels using a ratchet 1/2" and the correct lug socket from your socket set metric.

Step 2: Release the parking brake

• Lower the parking brake lever fully so the rotor can come off later.

Step 3: Remove the caliper (disc brake setup)

• Turn the steering wheel slightly if you need better access, but keep the vehicle stable on jack stands.
• Use a ratchet 3/8" and 13mm socket to remove the rear caliper slide pin bolts (some setups may use 15mm).
• If the slide pin spins, hold it with a 15mm open-end wrench while turning the bolt.
• Lift the caliper off and hang it using a brake caliper hanger hook (specialty) or bungee cord. Never hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the pads out by hand; use a flathead screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• Remove the stainless pad clips (abutment clips) from the bracket using a flathead screwdriver.
• Clean the bracket pad lands with a wire brush and spray with brake parts cleaner into a catch pan.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a breaker bar 1/2" with an 18mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Set the bracket aside.
• On reassembly: Torque to 95 Nm (70 ft-lb) for caliper bracket bolts.

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• If the rotor is stuck, spray the hub area with brake parts cleaner and tap the rotor “hat” with a rubber mallet to break it free.
• Pull the rotor straight off the studs.
• If it won’t come off, the parking brake shoes may be grabbing inside the rotor hat—tap with the rubber mallet and ensure the parking brake lever is fully released.

Step 7: Prep the hub and install the new rotor

• Clean the wheel hub face using a wire brush so the new rotor sits flat. Flat hub prevents pedal pulsation.
• Spray the new rotor friction surfaces with brake parts cleaner and wipe clean (removes shipping oil).
• Install the new rotor onto the hub.

Step 8: Service slide pins and install new hardware

• Remove slide pins from the bracket by hand.
• Wipe clean and apply a thin coat of high-temp silicone brake grease to the smooth part of the pins only (not the threads).
• Install the new abutment clips from your rear brake hardware kit.
• Apply a very thin film of high-temp silicone brake grease where the pad ears touch the clips.

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Place an old pad against the piston face.
• Use a C-clamp 6" to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir as you compress—remove some fluid if it gets too full (use the catch pan for drips).

Step 10: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper/bracket

• Install the bracket over the rotor and start both bracket bolts by hand.
• Tighten with a ratchet 1/2" and then torque wrench 1/2": Torque to 95 Nm (70 ft-lb).
• Install the new pads into the bracket.
• Set the caliper over the pads and start the slide pin bolts by hand.
• Tighten with a ratchet 3/8" and then torque wrench 3/8": Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lb) for caliper slide pin bolts.

Step 11: Reinstall wheels

• Install wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Use a torque wrench 1/2" to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern: Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lb).

Step 12: If your Patriot has rear drum brakes (alternate steps)

• Remove the drum after releasing the parking brake; use a rubber mallet to tap the drum edge if stuck.
• Take a clear photo before disassembly using your phone (spring layout matters).
• Clean with brake parts cleaner into a catch pan; do not inhale dust (use dust mask).
• Drum brake spring service often requires special pliers; if you don’t have them, stop here and avoid injury.

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✅ After Repair

• 🦶 Pump the brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons against the new pads).
• 🧴 Check brake fluid level; top off with DOT 3 if needed.
• 🛑 Do a low-speed test in a safe area; confirm no grinding, pulling, or warning lights.
• 🔥 Bed-in the pads: make 6-10 moderate stops from 30–40 mph with cool-down time between. No hard stops first 200 miles.
• 🔍 Recheck lug nut torque after your first short drive: Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lb).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $140-$320 (parts only)

You Save: $310-$530 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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