🔧 Rear Brake Pads & Rotors - Replacement

On your F-150, the rear brakes use a disc brake rotor with a parking brake built into the center “drum-in-hat” section. This job replaces the rear pads and rotors, and it also gives you a chance to inspect the parking brake shoes inside the rotor. Keep the parking brake released before removal.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat, solid surface and chock the front wheels.
• Keep the transmission in Park and the parking brake released before removing the rear rotors.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
• Support the truck with jack stands before removing wheels or calipers.
• Do not hang the caliper by the brake hose.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.

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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
• 21mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Bungee cord or mechanic's wire
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Needle-nose pliers
• Rubber mallet

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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
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and engage the parking brake.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting.
• Chock the front wheels securely.
• After the truck is safely raised, release the parking brake before pulling the rotors.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the rear of the truck

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear axle or frame.
• Place jack stands under the rear support points.
• Remove both rear wheels with the 21mm socket.
• Never work under a truck on a jack alone.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use the 15mm socket to remove the rear caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang it with a bungee cord or mechanic's wire.
• Do not let the brake hose carry the weight.

Step 3: Remove the brake pads and bracket

• Pull the brake pads out of the bracket.
• Use the 13mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the axle flange.
• If stuck, tap gently with a rubber mallet.

Step 4: Remove the rotor

• Make sure the parking brake is fully released.
• If the rotor is stuck, use the rubber mallet to tap around the hat section.
• Use the flat blade screwdriver through the access slot if the parking brake shoes are holding the rotor.
• Remove the rotor from the hub.

Step 5: Inspect and clean the hub

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the hub with brake cleaner and wipe it clean.
• Check the parking brake shoes and hardware inside the rotor hat for wear or damage.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove protective oil.
• Install the rotor over the hub.
• If it will not seat fully, back off the parking brake shoes slightly through the adjustment slot.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Install the caliper bracket with the 13mm socket.
• Torque to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).
• Clean threads help torque stay accurate.

Step 8: Install the new pads

• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points on the bracket.
• Install the new pads and hardware.
• Make sure the pad ears sit flat and move freely.

Step 9: Compress and reinstall the caliper

• Use the C-clamp to compress the rear caliper piston fully.
• Slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide bolts with the 15mm socket.
• Torque to 26 Nm (19 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-thread the lug nuts.
• Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts with the torque wrench and 21mm socket.
• Torque to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs) in a star pattern.

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level in the master cylinder.
• Test the brakes at low speed before normal driving.
• Listen for rubbing or dragging noises.
• Verify the parking brake holds the truck on a slight incline.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$380 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$520 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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