🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rear brake rotors on your Grand Cherokee. New pads and rotors restore smooth braking, reduce noise, and prevent vibration from worn or warped rotors.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support your Grand Cherokee with jack stands before removing any wheel.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the rear caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Your Grand Cherokee uses an electric parking brake, also called EPB. EPB means the parking brake is motor-controlled, so it must be placed in service mode before rear brake work.
• ⚠️ Keep brake cleaner away from painted surfaces, rubber bushings, and open flames.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required if the EPB is placed in service mode correctly.

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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
• 22mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compression tool
• Caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake rotor retaining screw driver bit set
• Brake cleaner spray nozzle

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

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground.
• 🚗 Place the transmission in Park.
• 🚗 Do not set the parking brake before starting this job.
• 🚗 Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• 🚗 Put the electric parking brake into service mode before lifting the vehicle.
• 🚗 EPB service mode retracts the parking brake motors so the rear calipers can be removed safely.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the EPB in Service Mode

• Use the ignition button to turn the vehicle to ON/RUN without starting the engine.
• Use the touchscreen and go to Apps > Settings > Brakes > Brake Service.
• Select Yes or Start to enable brake service mode.
• Wait for the message showing service mode is active.
• If your screen path differs, use the steering wheel controls or touchscreen to look under Settings > Safety & Driving Assistance > Brakes.
• Listen for the EPB motors.

Step 2: 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 one turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Break them loose while tires touch ground.

Step 3: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of your Grand Cherokee at the approved rear lift point.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Shake the vehicle lightly by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet or breaker bar to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.

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.
• A caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Use a caliper hanger hook to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry the old pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Note the position of any wear indicator clips before removal.
• Remove the old brake hardware clips by hand or with the flat-blade 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 aside.
• These bolts are usually tight, so keep the socket fully seated.

Step 8: Remove the Rear Rotor

• If equipped, use the brake rotor retaining screw driver bit set to remove the rotor retaining screw.
• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet.
• Do not strike the wheel studs.
• If the rotor will not move, lightly adjust the parking brake shoe access adjuster through the rotor opening using a flat-blade screwdriver.

Step 9: Clean the Hub Surface

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face.
• Use brake cleaner to wash away dust and debris.
• A clean hub helps the new rotor sit flat and prevents brake pedal vibration.
• Flat rotor seating prevents wobble.

Step 10: Install the New Rotor

• Use brake cleaner to clean both sides of the new rotor.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• If equipped, reinstall the rotor retaining screw using the brake rotor retaining screw driver bit set.
• Snug the retaining screw only; do not overtighten it.

Step 11: Install New Brake Hardware

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

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to prevent cross-threading.
• Use an 18mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque to 145 Nm (107 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Install the New Brake Pads

• Slide the new brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads move smoothly in the new hardware clips.
• If a pad is tight, remove it and check clip seating before continuing.

Step 14: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Use the brake caliper piston compression tool to slowly press the caliper piston back into the caliper.
• The piston is the round part inside the caliper that pushes the brake pad.
• Compress it slowly and evenly.
• Watch the brake fluid level under the hood so it does not overflow.

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 torque wrench to tighten the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Side

• Use the same tools and steps on the opposite rear brake assembly.
• Always replace rear brake pads and rotors in pairs.

Step 17: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each rear wheel back onto the hub.
• Start all lug nuts by hand.
• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 18: Lower and Torque the Wheels

• Use the floor jack to lift the vehicle 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

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• This seats the caliper pistons against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the pedal feels firm.

Step 20: Exit EPB Service Mode

• Use the ignition button to turn the vehicle to ON/RUN without starting the engine.
• Use the touchscreen and go to Apps > Settings > Brakes > Brake Service.
• Select the option to disable or exit service mode.
• Apply and release the parking brake once using the EPB switch.
• Confirm no brake warning message remains on the display.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level and make sure it is between MIN and MAX.
• ✅ Start the engine and press the brake pedal again until firm.
• ✅ Test the brakes at very low speed before normal driving.
• ✅ Listen for scraping, grinding, or clicking noises.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with gentle stops for the first 200 miles. Avoid hard braking unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck rear lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a 22mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$750 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $290-$400 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 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.