🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rotors on your Grand Cherokee. Rear brakes use an electronic parking brake system on this model, so the parking brake must be placed in service mode before the caliper is removed.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and support the Grand Cherokee with jack stands before removing wheels.
• ⚠️ Do not rely on the floor jack alone. A floor jack lifts the vehicle; jack stands hold it safely.
• ⚠️ The rear parking brake is electronic. Put it into service mode before removing rear brake parts.
• ⚠️ Keep your fingers away from the caliper piston area. The piston can move with strong force.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air; use brake cleaner.
• ⚠️ If brake fluid spills, wipe it immediately. It can damage paint.

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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
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger hook (specialty)
• Rubber mallet
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaning brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Catch pan
• Small bungee cord
• Scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty)
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 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 - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 2 cans
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground, shift to Park, and leave the ignition off.
• 🛑 Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks so the vehicle cannot roll.
• 🔋 Keep the 12V battery charged during EPB service mode. Low voltage can cause parking brake faults.
• 🧰 Use a scan tool with EPB Service Mode / Parking Brake Retract. EPB means electronic parking brake.
• 📱 If your scan tool lists Chrysler/Jeep functions, select Jeep > Grand Cherokee > Parking Brake > Service Mode / Retract.
• ⚠️ Do not disconnect the battery for this job unless instructed by your scan tool.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Parking Brake in Service Mode

• Use the scan tool with EPB service mode and connect it to the OBD-II port under the driver side dash.
• Turn the ignition to ON without starting the engine.
• Select Jeep > Grand Cherokee > Parking Brake > Service Mode / Retract.
• Wait until the scan tool confirms the rear parking brake motors are retracted.
• Turn the ignition OFF after the scan tool says the procedure is complete.
• Do not skip this step.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

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

Step 3: Lift and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of the Grand Cherokee at a proper rear lift point.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle slowly onto the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before working underneath or beside it.

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 place them flat under the vehicle as an added safety backup.

Step 5: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Put on safety glasses, nitrile gloves, and a dust mask.
• Use brake cleaner spray and a catch pan to wet down brake dust before touching parts.
• Look at how the pads, clips, and caliper sit before removing anything.
• Take a phone picture first.

Step 6: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the two rear caliper guide pin bolts.
• Slide the caliper off the rotor by hand. If it is tight, gently pry with a flat blade screwdriver.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension using a brake caliper hanger hook or small bungee cord.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use the flat blade screwdriver to remove the old metal pad clips from the caliper bracket.
• Use the wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the bracket.
• The pad clips are thin stainless pieces that help the pads slide smoothly.

Step 8: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use the 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 usually tight, so keep the socket straight to avoid rounding the bolt heads.

Step 9: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap around the rotor hat with a rubber mallet.
• Do not hit the wheel studs with the mallet.
• If the parking brake shoes drag inside the rotor, check that the EPB service mode completed correctly with the scan tool with EPB service mode.

Step 10: Clean the Hub Face

• Use the wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face where the rotor sits.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner spray and wipe it clean.
• A clean hub helps the rotor sit flat and prevents brake vibration.

Step 11: Install the New Rear Rotor

• Clean both sides of the new rotor using brake cleaner spray and a clean rag.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub by hand.
• Install one lug nut backward by hand to hold the rotor flat while you work.

Step 12: Service the Caliper Bracket

• Use the brake parts cleaning brush and brake cleaner spray to clean the caliper bracket.
• Remove the slide pins by hand and wipe them clean.
• Apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease to the slide pins.
• Reinstall the slide pins and make sure they move smoothly.
• Install the new pad clips from the rear brake hardware kit by hand.

Step 13: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Place the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 18mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the rear caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Open the brake fluid reservoir cap under the hood by hand.
• Use the brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly push the caliper piston back into the caliper.
• A piston compressor is a tool that pushes the piston back so the thicker new pads fit.
• Watch the brake fluid level while compressing. If it rises too high, remove a small amount with a clean turkey baster or suitable fluid tool.
• Reinstall the brake fluid reservoir cap by hand when finished.

Step 15: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Apply a very thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease only where the pad ears touch the clips.
• Do not put grease on the pad friction material or rotor face.
• Install the new pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads slide freely in the clips.

Step 16: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Remove the brake caliper hanger hook or small bungee cord.
• Slide the caliper over the new pads by hand.
• Start both caliper guide pin bolts by hand.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the bolts.
• Use the 13mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the rear caliper guide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 17: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Use the same tools and repeat Steps 5 through 16 on the opposite rear brake.
• Always replace rear brake pads and rotors in pairs.

Step 18: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Remove the temporary backward lug nut by hand.
• Install the rear wheels onto the hubs.
• 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 19: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to lift slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle fully with the floor jack.
• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the rear lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 20: Exit Parking Brake Service Mode

• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Use the scan tool with EPB service mode and select Jeep > Grand Cherokee > Parking Brake > Service Mode / Exit / Apply.
• Wait until the scan tool confirms the parking brake is returned to normal operation.
• Cycle the parking brake switch once to confirm it applies and releases normally.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Before driving, press the brake pedal slowly 5-10 times until it feels firm. This seats the caliper pistons against the new pads.
• ✅ Check the brake fluid level. Top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• ✅ Start the engine and confirm the brake warning light goes out.
• ✅ Test the electronic parking brake. Apply and release it while stopped.
• ✅ Take a slow test drive in a safe area. Make several gentle stops first.
• ✅ Bed in the brakes: make 8-10 moderate stops from about 30-40 mph, allowing cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using the 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: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$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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