🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rear brake rotors on your Grand Cherokee. The rear calipers must be removed, the parking brake shoes inside the rotor hat must be protected, and the new pads need to be bedded in gently after installation.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the vehicle with jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ The rear rotor also contains the drum-style parking brake. Do not force the rotor off if it is stuck; the parking brake shoes can be damaged.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake before removing the rear rotors.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Wear safety glasses and gloves, and use brake cleaner instead of compressed air.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this rear brake pad and rotor replacement.

---

🔧 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 socket
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 1/2-inch ratchet
• 1/2-inch breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger hook (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop rags
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 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 lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground.
• Shift into Park and turn the ignition off.
• Release the parking brake completely.
• 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 fluid syringe before compressing the caliper pistons.
• A caliper piston is the round metal part inside the brake caliper that pushes the brake pad into the rotor.
• A caliper bracket is the heavy metal mount that holds the pads and caliper in position.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

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

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear

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

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 22mm socket and 1/2-inch ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use brake cleaner spray and shop rags to clean loose brake dust from the caliper area.
• Look at how the brake pads, clips, and caliper are positioned before removing anything.
• Take a phone photo first.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• Slide pin bolts hold the caliper to the bracket and let it move slightly as the pads wear.
• Lift the caliper off the rotor.
• Hang the caliper with a brake caliper hanger hook.
• Do not let the caliper hang from the rubber brake hose.
• During reassembly, tighten the rear caliper slide pin bolts to Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the old pad clips from the bracket by hand or with the flathead screwdriver.
• Pad clips are small metal pieces that help the brake pads slide smoothly.
• Do not reuse rusty or bent clips.

Step 7: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use an 18mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to remove the two rear caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket and set it aside.
• During reassembly, tighten the rear caliper bracket bolts to Torque to 145 Nm (107 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Confirm the parking brake is released.
• Pull the rotor straight off by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap around the rotor hat with a rubber mallet.
• The rotor hat is the raised center section of the rotor.
• Do not hammer the outer braking surface hard.
• If the rotor still will not come off, the parking brake shoes may be holding it from inside.
• Use a flathead screwdriver through the rear access slot to carefully back off the parking brake adjuster a small amount.
• Small turns prevent over-adjustment.

Step 9: Clean the Hub and Bracket

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face.
• The hub face is the flat metal surface the rotor sits against.
• Use the wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Spray the cleaned areas with brake cleaner spray and wipe with shop rags.
• A clean hub helps prevent brake vibration.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Rotor

• Clean both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner spray and shop rags.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub by hand.
• If the rotor will not slide over the parking brake shoes, use a flathead screwdriver to slightly back off the parking brake adjuster.
• Hold the rotor flat against the hub while continuing the repair.

Step 11: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

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

Step 12: Install New Brake Hardware

• Install the new pad clips from the rear brake hardware kit into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the pad ears where they touch the clips.
• Pad ears are the small tabs on each end of the brake pad backing plate.
• Do not get lubricant on the pad friction material or rotor surface.

Step 13: Install the New Brake Pads

• Slide the new rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• They should move smoothly without forcing them.
• If they bind, remove them and clean the bracket contact area again with the wire brush.
• Pads should slide, not jam.

Step 14: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Place the old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use a brake caliper compression tool to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir under the hood while compressing the piston.
• If fluid rises near the top, stop and remove a small amount safely.
• Compress slowly to avoid damaging the brake hydraulic system.

Step 15: Reinstall the Caliper

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

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Side

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

Step 17: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install both rear wheels by hand.
• Start all lug nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 22mm socket and 1/2-inch ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 18: Lower and Torque the Wheels

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Grand Cherokee until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the torque wrench with 22mm socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).
• Fully lower the vehicle and remove the floor jack.

Step 19: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat.
• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back into position against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the pedal feels firm.

---

✅ After Repair

• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed with the correct brake fluid listed on the reservoir cap.
• Start the engine and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm and steady.
• Test the parking brake operation after both rear rotors are installed.
• Perform a slow test drive in a safe area. Confirm the vehicle stops straight and does not grind or shake.
• Bed in the new pads: make 8-10 moderate stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, allowing a short cooling period between stops.
• 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).

---

💰 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.

---

🎯 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.