🔧 Escape - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rear rotors on your Escape. Rear brakes wear over time, and replacing pads and rotors together helps restore smooth, quiet braking.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Your Escape uses an electronic parking brake, so it must be placed into service mode before rear brake work.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the rear caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Always support the vehicle with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air; use brake cleaner.
• ⚠️ Disconnecting the battery is not required if the electronic parking brake is correctly placed in service mode.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug nut socket
• Ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• 13mm socket
• 15mm wrench
• 18mm socket
• Brake caliper compression tool
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Bungee cord
• Rubber mallet
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Escape on level ground.
• Leave the transmission in Park.
• Chock the front wheels so the vehicle cannot roll.
• Do not apply the parking brake before starting the job.
• A caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.
• A rotor is the round metal disc the brake pads press against to stop the vehicle.
• A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct tightness so they are not too loose or too tight.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Electronic Parking Brake into Service Mode

• Sit in the driver seat with the doors closed.
• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Use your foot to hold the accelerator pedal fully down.
• At the same time, push and hold the electronic parking brake switch down in the release position.
• While holding both, turn the ignition OFF, then back ON within about 5 seconds.
• Continue holding the accelerator pedal and parking brake switch until the cluster shows parking brake service mode or you hear the rear parking brake motors retract.
• Release the pedal and switch.
• Listen for both rear motors.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and breaker bar or ratchet to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.

Step 3: Raise and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack at the rear jacking point to lift the rear of your Escape.
• Place jack stands under the proper rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Shake the vehicle lightly by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Brake Caliper

• Work on one side at a time so the other side stays assembled as a reference.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it with a 15mm wrench while loosening the bolt.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Use a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Use a flat blade screwdriver to gently pry the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the old metal pad clips from the bracket by hand or with the flat blade screwdriver.
• Notice how the clips are installed before removing them.
• Take a photo first.

Step 7: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use an 18mm socket to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• These bolts may be tight, so keep the socket straight on the bolt head.
• Remove the caliper bracket from the rear knuckle.

Step 8: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet.
• Do not hit the wheel studs.
• If rust is heavy, spray around the hub center with brake cleaner spray and keep tapping evenly.

Step 9: Clean the Hub and Bracket

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face.
• Use brake cleaner spray to clean the caliper bracket and hub area.
• The new rotor must sit flat against the hub.
• Clean hub equals smooth braking.

Step 10: Install the New Rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner spray to remove protective oil.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• Install one lug nut by hand to hold the rotor flat while you work.

Step 11: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use an 18mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque to 95 Nm (70 ft-lbs)

Step 12: Install New Brake Hardware and Pads

• Snap the new brake pad clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease only where the pad ears touch the clips.
• Do not get grease on the pad friction surface or rotor.
• Install the new brake pads into the bracket.
• The pad friction material faces the rotor.

Step 13: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Use a brake caliper compression tool to slowly push the caliper piston straight back into the caliper.
• Because the electronic parking brake is in service mode, the piston should press back without twisting.
• Go slowly so brake fluid does not overflow at the master cylinder.
• If the piston will not move, stop and confirm service mode is active.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Start both caliper slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use a 13mm socket to tighten the bolts while holding the slide pin with a 15mm wrench if needed.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Step 15: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 14 on the other rear brake.
• Always replace rear pads and rotors in pairs.

Step 16: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut holding each rotor.
• Install each wheel onto the hub.
• Start all lug nuts by hand.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 17: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to lift the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Escape fully to the ground.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs)

Step 18: Exit Electronic Parking Brake Service Mode

• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Press and hold the brake pedal.
• Pull up and hold the electronic parking brake switch in the apply position.
• Turn the ignition OFF, then back ON within about 5 seconds while still holding the brake pedal and switch.
• Continue holding until the parking brake motors apply and the warning message clears.
• Release the switch and brake pedal.

Step 19: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before driving, press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the rear caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Do not skip this step.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Escape and confirm the brake pedal feels firm.
• ✅ Apply and release the electronic parking brake once to confirm normal operation.
• ✅ Check behind both rear wheels for brake fluid leaks.
• ✅ Perform a slow test drive in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with 8-10 gentle stops from about 30 mph to 10 mph, letting the brakes cool briefly between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$750 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $140-$300 (parts only)

You Save: $300-$450 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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