🔧 Cherokee - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

Replacing the rear pads and rotors on your Cherokee means removing the rear calipers, swapping the rotors, and installing new pads with fresh hardware. The key is retracting the rear caliper pistons correctly and making sure the parking brake system is handled safely (some Cherokees have an electronic parking brake).

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the Cherokee on jack stands before working under it.
• ⚠️ Brakes may contain dust—avoid blowing with compressed air.
• ⚠️ If equipped with Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), put EPB in service mode before pushing pistons back, or you can damage the actuator.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Brake parts get hot—work on a cool vehicle.

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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
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 1/2" drive (30-200 ft-lbs range)
• 19mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Ratchet 3/8"
• Socket extension 6"
• Torx T30 bit
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• C-clamp brake piston tool
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• 11mm flare-nut wrench
• Clear bleed hose
• Drain pan

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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 pad hardware/clip kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 quart

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the shifter in Park, and chock the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake fully.
• If your Cherokee has an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) (a button/switch on the console), you should retract it with a scan tool “service mode” before compressing pistons.
• Open the hood and remove the brake fluid reservoir cap (leave it sitting on top) so fluid can rise while pistons retract.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen lug nuts and raise the rear

• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar 1/2" to loosen rear lug nuts 1/2 turn (don’t remove yet).
• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support with jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under proper lift points.
• Remove the rear wheels using the 19mm socket.

Step 2: Put the parking brake system in the safe position

• If equipped with EPB: use a scan tool to command rear brakes into service mode before compressing pistons. EPB motors can be damaged if forced.
• If not EPB: confirm the parking brake is fully released before continuing.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed for the rear, but rotate the rotor by hand to access bolts.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the two caliper guide/slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it using a brake caliper hanger hook (do not let it hang by the hose).

Step 4: Remove the pads and inspect slides

• Pull the old pads out of the bracket by hand; use a flathead screwdriver gently if stuck.
• Remove the pad hardware/clips from the bracket (usually clips snap out).
• Pull the slide pins out, wipe clean, and apply brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone).

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use an 18mm socket and breaker bar 1/2" to remove the two bracket-to-knuckle bolts.
• Set the bracket aside.
• During reassembly: Torque to 122 Nm (90 ft-lbs)

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• If present, remove the rotor retaining screw using a Torx T30 bit.
• Pull the rotor off. If stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet to break rust loose.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face so the new rotor sits flat. Flat hub = no pedal pulsation.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Spray the new rotor friction surfaces with brake cleaner and wipe clean (removes packing oil).
• Install the rotor onto the hub. Reinstall the retaining screw (if equipped) using the Torx T30 bit.

Step 8: Reinstall the bracket and new hardware

• Reinstall the caliper bracket and start bolts by hand, then tighten with the 18mm socket.
• Torque to 122 Nm (90 ft-lbs)
• Install new pad hardware/clips into the bracket (they should snap in).

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Place an old pad against the piston face.
• Use a C-clamp brake piston tool to slowly press the piston back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid level while compressing; remove excess if it nears overflow.

Step 10: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Install the new pads into the bracket.
• Lower the caliper over the pads.
• Reinstall the slide bolts using the 13mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Step 11: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 3–10 on the other side (replace rotors and pads in pairs).

Step 12: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Cherokee and snug with a 19mm socket.
• Final tighten with a torque wrench 1/2" drive: Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs)

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal slowly 10–15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons).
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• If equipped with EPB: exit EPB service mode using the scan tool, then apply/release the parking brake a few times.
• Test drive at low speed first. Listen for scraping, and verify straight stops.
• Pad bedding (break-in): make 6–10 moderate stops from 30–40 mph, letting brakes cool between stops.

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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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