🔧 Elantra - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, unbolt the rear brake calipers, replace the pads and rotors, then reinstall everything with the correct torque. This restores braking power and prevents vibration or grinding caused by worn pads/rotors.

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

Assumption: Your Elantra has rear disc brakes (common on Limited).

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and chock the front wheels.
• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful—use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake before removing rear calipers/rotors.

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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
• Lug wrench or 21mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• Ratchet (1/2" drive)
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Breaker bar (1/2" drive)
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs range)
• Flat trim tool or flat screwdriver
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Brake caliper piston tool (specialty)
• High-temp silicone 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 - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin boots (optional if torn) - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 quart

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a flat surface, shift to Park, and release the parking brake.
• Chock both front wheels so the car cannot roll.
• Crack the rear lug nuts loose slightly using a 21mm socket before lifting.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level; it may rise when you compress pistons.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear at the rear center jacking point.
• Set the car down onto jack stands placed at the rear pinch welds.
• Remove both rear wheels using a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the rear caliper (do not let it hang)

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed—rear access is straight on.
• Remove the caliper slide bolts using a 14mm socket.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord.
• Tip: Hanging calipers can damage the hose.

Step 3: Remove pads and caliper bracket

• Pull the old brake pads out of the bracket by hand (use a flat screwdriver if stuck).
• Remove the caliper bracket bolts using a 17mm socket and breaker bar.
• Set the bracket aside.
• When reinstalling later: Torque bracket bolts to 64-75 Nm (47-55 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the rotor

• Spray the rotor-to-hub area with brake cleaner spray.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap the rotor hat firmly while rotating it (use the handle end of a breaker bar).
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush so the new rotor sits flat.
• Tip: A clean hub helps prevent brake vibration.

Step 5: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor surfaces with brake cleaner spray (removes protective oil).
• Place the rotor onto the hub and hold it in place with one lug nut hand-tight (use a 21mm socket).

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper bracket and hardware clips

• Reinstall the bracket over the rotor and start bolts by hand.
• Tighten using a 17mm socket and then a torque wrench: Torque bracket bolts to 64-75 Nm (47-55 ft-lbs).
• Replace/fit the new pad hardware clips (from the hardware kit) into the bracket.
• Apply a very thin film of high-temp silicone brake grease where the pad “ears” slide on the clips.

Step 7: Compress the rear caliper piston (rear pistons commonly twist-in)

• Remove the lug nut holding the rotor (use a 21mm socket).
• Use a brake caliper piston tool (specialty) to push and rotate the piston back in.
• Turn slowly while applying pressure until the piston is fully seated.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir under the hood; remove excess if it gets too high.
• Tip: If it won’t turn, don’t force it.

Step 8: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Install the new pads into the bracket.
• Apply a small amount of high-temp silicone brake grease to the back of pads where they touch the caliper (do not get grease on pad friction material).
• Slide the caliper over the pads and align the slide bolt holes.
• Install and tighten the slide bolts using a 14mm socket, then a torque wrench: Torque slide bolts to 22-31 Nm (16-23 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall wheels

• Reinstall both rear wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts using a 21mm socket.
• Lower the car off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench: Torque lug nuts to 88-107 Nm (65-79 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine OFF, pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 only if needed.
• Start the engine and confirm the pedal stays firm.
• Test at low speed first; verify no pulling, grinding, or warning lights.
• Bed-in (break-in) new pads/rotors: make 6-10 medium stops from 30-40 mph, driving a bit between stops to cool.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $160-$380 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$470 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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