🔧 Rear Brakes & Rotors - Replacement

This job replaces the rear brake pads and rear rotors on your Grand Cherokee. The rear brakes wear out from normal driving and should be serviced as a set so braking stays even and smooth.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat, solid surface and chock the front wheels.
• Use jack stands. Never rely on the floor jack alone.
• If your Grand Cherokee has an electronic parking brake, retract it before removing the rear calipers.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Brake parts and rotors may be hot after driving.
• Use brake cleaner only in a well-ventilated area.

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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
• Breaker bar
• 21mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Rubber mallet
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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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
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the transmission in Park.
• Engage the parking brake only if it is not electronic-retracting for service.
• If equipped with electronic parking brake, put it in brake service mode before starting. Use the vehicle menu path if available: Settings > Brakes > Service Mode or a scan tool with EPB service function.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the rear wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear lug nuts one turn each while the vehicle is on the ground.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Raise and support the rear

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear of your Grand Cherokee.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the rear support points and lower the vehicle onto them.
• Remove both rear wheels with the 21mm socket.

Step 3: Retract the parking brake if equipped

• If your Grand Cherokee has an electronic parking brake, use the vehicle service mode or scan tool to retract it fully.
• If it has a manual parking brake, make sure it is fully released.

Step 4: Remove the caliper

• Use a 15mm socket to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with the brake caliper hanger hook.
• Never let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 5: Remove the brake pads and bracket

• Slide the old brake pads out of the bracket.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• Remove the small rotor retaining screw if present using a Torx bit or flat-blade screwdriver.
• Pull the rotor off the hub.
• If it is stuck, tap it gently with a rubber mallet.

Step 7: Clean the hub and install the new rotor

• Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to clean rust from the hub face.
• Install the new rotor and make sure it sits flat.
• Reinstall the rotor retaining screw if used.

Step 8: Reinstall the bracket and pads

• Install the caliper bracket with the 13mm socket.
• Torque to 88 Nm (65 ft-lbs).
• Apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease to the slide pins if needed.
• Install the new brake pads into the bracket.

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp to slowly push the caliper piston back in.
• If equipped with an electronic parking brake, confirm the system is still in service mode before compressing.
• Go slow to avoid seal damage.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Install the guide pin bolts with the 15mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle

• Put the wheel back on and hand-start the lug nuts.
• Raise the vehicle slightly, remove the jack stands, and lower it to the ground.
• Use the 21mm socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Restore brake pedal and parking brake

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• If equipped with electronic parking brake, exit service mode and verify normal operation.

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✅ After Repair

• Check brake fluid level in the reservoir.
• Test the brakes at low speed before normal driving.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking noises.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard braking unless needed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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