🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rotors on your Grand Cherokee. Rear brakes wear over time, and replacing pads and rotors together helps prevent noise, vibration, and poor braking.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool vehicle parked on level ground.
• ⚠️ Support your Grand Cherokee with jack stands before removing wheels. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ The parking brake shoes are inside the rear rotor “hat.” Do not force the rotor off if it feels stuck.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air; use brake cleaner.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this rear brake 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
• 22mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger hook (specialty)
• Rubber mallet
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaning brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Small catch pan
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

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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 hardware kit - Qty: 1
• High-temperature brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground.
• Place the transmission in Park.
• Release the parking brake fully. This is important because the parking brake shoes sit inside the rear rotor.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If it is very full, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the caliper pistons.
• A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to a measured tightness so they are secure without being overtightened.
• A caliper piston compression tool pushes the brake piston back into the caliper so the new, thicker pads will fit.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 22mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use a floor jack at the rear lift point or rear differential area to raise the rear of your Grand Cherokee.
• Place jack stands under the rear frame or approved support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet or breaker bar to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels.
• Set the wheels flat on the ground so they cannot roll away.

Step 4: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Put on safety glasses, nitrile gloves, and a dust mask.
• Use brake cleaner spray and a small catch pan to rinse dust from the caliper, bracket, and rotor area.
• Look at the brake hose. Make sure it is not cracked, swollen, or leaking.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the rotor.
• Use a brake caliper hanger hook to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.
• Support the caliper gently.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry the old pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Note how the pads and metal clips are installed before removing them.
• Remove the old brake hardware clips from the bracket by hand or with the flathead screwdriver.

Step 7: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use an 18mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to remove the two rear caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket and set it on a clean surface.
• These bolts are tight from the factory, so steady pressure works better than jerking the tool.

Step 8: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Make sure the parking brake is released.
• Pull the rotor straight off by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck, use a rubber mallet to tap around the rotor hat, which is the raised center section of the rotor.
• If the rotor still will not come off, the parking brake shoes may be holding it. Do not force it hard enough to damage the parking brake parts.
• Tap evenly around the rotor.

Step 9: Clean the Hub Face

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face where the rotor sits.
• Use brake cleaner spray and a brake parts cleaning brush to clean the area.
• The rotor must sit flat against the hub to prevent brake vibration.

Step 10: Install the New Rotor

• Use brake cleaner spray to clean both sides of the new rotor.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub by hand.
• If the rotor feels tight over the parking brake shoes, remove it and check that the parking brake is fully released.
• Temporarily install one lug nut by hand to hold the rotor flat.

Step 11: Clean and Prepare the Caliper Bracket

• Use a wire brush to clean the brake pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Install the new brake hardware clips by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of high-temperature brake grease to the pad contact points on the clips.
• Do not get grease on the pad friction material or rotor face.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the new rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use an 18mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs)

Step 13: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use a brake caliper piston compression tool to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston. Stop if fluid gets close to overflowing.
• The piston is the round metal part that pushes the brake pad against the rotor.

Step 14: Install the New Brake Pads

• Slide the new rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.
• The pads should move smoothly in the clips without being loose.
• Use a flathead screwdriver only if you need light help seating the pads.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Start both slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the slide pin bolts.
• Use a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench with the 13mm socket to tighten the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 15 on the opposite rear brake.
• Always replace rear pads and rotors in pairs so braking stays even.

Step 17: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut holding each rotor.
• Install the wheels by hand.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand first.
• Use a 22mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to lightly snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 18: Lower and Torque the Wheels

• Use the floor jack to raise your Grand Cherokee slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs)

Step 19: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before driving, press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back into position against the new pads.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed with the correct brake fluid listed on the reservoir cap.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Grand Cherokee and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm, not soft or sinking.
• ✅ Check behind both rear wheels for brake fluid leaks.
• ✅ Test drive at low speed first in a safe area.
• ✅ Perform several gentle stops from 30-40 mph to begin seating the pads.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles: Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs)

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$280 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$370 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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