🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rear brake rotors on your Grand Cherokee. The rear brakes use an electronic parking brake, so the calipers must be put into service mode before removal to avoid damaging the parking brake motors.

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 a floor jack alone. A floor jack lifts the vehicle; jack stands safely hold it up.
• ⚠️ The rear calipers have an electronic parking brake. Put the brakes in service mode before removing the caliper.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can irritate your lungs. Use brake cleaner, not compressed air, to clean parts.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not normally required if using the instrument-cluster brake service mode.

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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
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 6mm Allen socket
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake parts cleaner
• Catch pan
• High-temperature brake grease
• Nitrile 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
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans
• High-temperature brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park the Grand Cherokee on level ground.
• Leave the transmission in Park.
• Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks so the vehicle cannot roll.
• Release the parking brake before starting the service-mode procedure.
• Open the hood and check brake fluid level. If it is at MAX, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool so it does not overflow when the pistons are compressed.
• Electronic Parking Brake Service Mode: use the instrument cluster menu before removing the rear calipers.
• If your cluster does not show the service mode menu, use a scan tool with electronic parking brake retract/service function.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put Rear Brakes Into Service Mode

• Turn the ignition to RUN without starting the engine.
• Use the steering-wheel arrow buttons to open Settings > Brakes > Brake Service.
• Select the option to retract or enter brake service mode.
• Wait for the cluster message confirming service mode is active.
• If that menu is not available, use a scan tool and select the electronic parking brake retract/service command.
• Listen for the rear motors moving.

Step 2: Loosen 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.

Step 3: Raise And Support The Rear

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

Step 4: Remove Rear Wheels

• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the side of the vehicle as an added safety backup.

Step 5: Remove The Rear Caliper

• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the rear caliper guide-pin bolts.
• Slide the caliper off the rotor.
• Use a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.
• A caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.

Step 6: Remove The Old Brake Pads

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry the old pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the old metal pad clips from the bracket.
• These clips are called brake hardware and help the pads slide smoothly.

Step 7: 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 aside.
• These bolts are tight from the factory, so keep the socket square on the bolt head.

Step 8: Remove The Rotor Retaining Screw

• Use the 6mm Allen socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the rotor retaining screw.
• The retaining screw only holds the rotor in place during assembly; the wheel clamps the rotor when installed.

Step 9: Remove The Old Rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub by hand.
• If it is stuck, tap the rotor hat area with a rubber mallet.
• Do not hit the wheel studs.
• If the rotor will not come off, confirm the parking brake is fully released and service mode is active.

Step 10: Clean The Hub Face

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face.
• Use brake parts cleaner and a catch pan to wash away debris.
• The hub face must be flat and clean so the new rotor does not wobble.

Step 11: Install The New Rotor

• Spray the new rotor friction surfaces with brake parts cleaner and wipe them clean.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• Use the 6mm Allen socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to install the rotor retaining screw.
• Torque to 8 Nm (71 in-lbs).

Step 12: Prepare The Caliper Bracket

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

Step 13: Reinstall The Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Use the 18mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the bracket bolts.
• Torque to 149 Nm (110 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Compress The Caliper Piston

• Use the brake caliper piston compression tool to slowly push the caliper piston straight back into the caliper.
• A piston is the round part inside the caliper that pushes the brake pad.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir under the hood so it does not overflow.
• Do not twist the electronic parking brake piston unless your compression tool instructions specifically require it.

Step 15: Install The New Brake Pads

• Slide the new rear brake pads into the bracket by hand.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.
• Apply a thin film of high-temperature brake grease to the pad ears where they touch the clips.
• Do not grease the pad face.

Step 16: Reinstall The Rear Caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to install the caliper guide-pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 17: Repeat On The Other Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 16 on the other rear brake assembly.
• Replace rear pads and rotors in pairs so braking stays even.

Step 18: Reinstall Rear Wheels

• Install the wheels by hand and start all lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Do not fully torque them while the vehicle is still in the air.

Step 19: Lower And Torque Wheels

• Use the floor jack to slightly lift the rear and remove the jack stands.
• Lower the Grand Cherokee 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 20: Exit Brake Service Mode

• Turn the ignition to RUN without starting the engine.
• Use the steering-wheel buttons to open Settings > Brakes > Brake Service.
• Select the option to exit brake service mode.
• If you used a scan tool, use the scan tool to run the electronic parking brake close/exit service command.
• Wait for the cluster to confirm normal parking brake operation.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly 5-10 times until it feels firm. This seats the caliper pistons against the new pads.
• Check brake fluid level and adjust to the correct mark if needed.
• Start the engine and confirm the brake warning light is off.
• Apply and release the electronic parking brake once to verify normal operation.
• Test drive slowly in a safe area and confirm the vehicle stops smoothly.
• Break in the pads with several gentle stops from 30 mph to 5 mph. Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles unless needed for safety.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.

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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 1.5-2.0 hours.

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