🔧 Explorer - Rear Brake Pad and Rotor Replacement

The rear pads and rotors on your Explorer wear together, so replacing both restores braking power and helps stop noise and vibration. If your truck has an electronic parking brake, you must put it in service mode before pushing the rear calipers back.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• If equipped with an electronic parking brake, put it in service mode before rear brake work.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Battery disconnect is not usually required unless your parking brake service procedure calls for it.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug wrench or socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Shop rags
• Gloves
• Safety glasses

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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
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• High-temperature brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake before lifting the vehicle.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before raising the vehicle.
• If your Explorer has an electronic parking brake, use the vehicle menu or service function to retract it before starting.
• Service mode path: Menu > Settings > Vehicle > Brake Service Mode if equipped.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the rear of the vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of the Explorer from a safe jacking point.
• Set the rear on jack stands and make sure the vehicle is stable.
• Remove both rear wheels with the 19mm lug wrench or socket.

Step 2: Put the parking brake in service mode

• If equipped, use the infotainment system or scan tool to retract the electronic parking brake.
• Follow the menu path: Menu > Settings > Vehicle > Brake Service Mode.
• Do not skip this step on EPB-equipped vehicles.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use the 13mm socket to remove the caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a bungee cord or caliper hanger.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use the 15mm socket and breaker bar to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.

Step 5: Remove the old rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, tap between the wheel studs with a flat blade screwdriver or small hammer.
• Light rust on the hub is normal.

Step 6: Clean and inspect the hub

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the hub with brake cleaner and wipe it dry with shop rags.
• Make sure the hub is smooth so the new rotor sits flat.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner before installation.
• Install the rotor onto the hub and hold it in place.

Step 8: Service the brake pads and hardware

• Remove the old pads and hardware from the caliper bracket.
• Install the new brake hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of high-temperature brake grease to the pad contact points only.

Step 9: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Use the brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty) to push the piston fully back in.
• If the piston will not move, confirm the parking brake is fully in service mode.
• Go slow to avoid damaging the seal.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper bracket and caliper

• Install the caliper bracket and tighten the bolts with the 15mm socket.
• Install the new pads in the bracket.
• Reinstall the caliper and tighten the slide bolts with the 13mm socket.
• Torque caliper bracket bolts to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).
• Torque caliper slide bolts to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-start the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle slightly, then tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern with the torque wrench.
• Torque lug nuts to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the other side

• Do the same steps on the opposite rear wheel.
• Replace rear pads and rotors in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Before driving, pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Make sure the parking brake works correctly after service mode is cleared.
• Test-drive at low speed first and listen for rubbing or noise.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops when possible to help the new pads seat properly.

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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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