🔧 Rear Brake Pads and Rotors - Replacement

The rear brake pads and rotors on your S60 wear together, so replacing both at the same time gives the best pedal feel and braking balance. Because this car uses an electronic parking brake, the rear calipers need to be put into service mode before you push the pistons back.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Your S60 uses an electronic parking brake. Put it in service mode before removing the rear caliper.
• Never press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• Rear rotors and calipers can be hot after driving.
• Use jack stands. Do not rely on the floor jack alone.
• If the brake fluid reservoir is full, retracting the pistons can cause overflow. Check the fluid level first.
• Wear safety glasses and gloves.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for vehicle weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 14mm socket
• Torx T30 screwdriver
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord or mechanic’s hook
• Flat blade screwdriver
• 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 rotor set - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the transmission in Park.
• Chock the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake only after the rear wheels are safely off the ground and the EPB is in service mode.
• For the electronic parking brake, use the vehicle service function or a compatible scan tool to retract the rear parking brake motors before starting.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the rear brakes in service mode

• Use a compatible scan tool or the vehicle service function to retract the electronic parking brake. The parking brake actuator must be fully opened before you remove the caliper.
• Do not force the piston by hand.

Step 2: Loosen the rear wheel bolts

• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the wheel bolts one turn each while the car is still on the ground.

Step 3: Raise and secure the car

• Use a floor jack at the correct rear lift point, then support the car with jack stands.
• Remove the wheel bolts with the 19mm socket and take off the wheel.

Step 4: Remove the caliper

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a bungee cord or mechanic’s hook.
• Torque on reassembly: guide pin bolts to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 14mm socket or the correct socket for the bracket bolts and remove the caliper carrier from the knuckle.
• Torque on reassembly: bracket bolts to 90 Nm (66 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• Use a Torx T30 screwdriver to remove the rotor retaining screw.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap it gently from behind with a rubber mallet and use a flat blade screwdriver only if needed.
• Rust can hold it tight.

Step 7: Clean the hub

• Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to clean the hub face until it is smooth and rust-free.
• This helps prevent rotor runout and brake pulsation.

Step 8: Install the new rotor

• Install the new rotor on the hub and hold it in place with the rotor screw.
• Use the Torx T30 screwdriver and tighten the screw to 10 Nm (89 in-lbs).

Step 9: Install the new pads and hardware

• Install the new hardware clips and apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease where the pads contact the hardware.
• Install the new rear pads in the bracket.

Step 10: Retract and install the caliper

• Use the brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to compress the rear piston straight in.
• Install the caliper over the new pads and tighten the guide pin bolts with a 14mm socket to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).
• Keep the piston straight.

Step 11: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the bolts with a 19mm socket.
• Lower the car and torque the wheel bolts in a star pattern to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the other side

• Replace rear pads and rotors in pairs so braking stays even.

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal slowly until it feels firm before moving the car.
• Use the scan tool or service function to exit EPB service mode and apply/release the parking brake once.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking and recheck wheel bolt torque after the test drive.

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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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