🔧 Focus - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

On your Focus, the rear brake pads clamp the rotor (disc) to slow the car. When pads get thin or rotors get grooved/rusted, replacing both restores safe stopping and prevents noise/vibration.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the car with jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake before starting (rear calipers can’t retract with it applied).
• ⚠️ Avoid breathing brake dust; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ If you lift the rear, chock the front wheels so the car can’t roll.

---

🔧 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
• Lug wrench
• Torque wrench (10-200 Nm range)
• Ratchet
• Socket set (8mm-21mm)
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• Breaker bar
• Torx T30 bit
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp
• Brake caliper piston rewind tool (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord
• Drip pan
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Threadlocker (medium strength) - Qty: 1
• DOT 4 brake fluid - Qty: 1 (small bottle for top-off)

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the transmission in 1st gear, and turn the engine off.
• Chock both front wheels using wheel chocks.
• Release the parking brake fully.
• Crack the rear lug nuts loose using a lug wrench before lifting.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level so it doesn’t overflow when pistons are pushed back.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear of the car at the rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands under solid rear support points and lower the car onto them.
• Give the car a firm shake to confirm it’s stable before crawling near the wheels.

Step 2: Remove the rear wheels

• Remove lug nuts using a lug wrench and take both rear wheels off.
• Set wheels under the car as an extra safety backup.

Step 3: Remove the caliper (outer piece)

• Turn the steering is not needed; you’re working on the rear.
• Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts using a 13mm socket and ratchet.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord (don’t let it hang by the brake hose).

Step 4: Remove the old pads and inspect hardware

• Pull the inner and outer pads out by hand (use a flathead screwdriver gently if they’re stuck).
• Inspect the pad clips (abutment clips). If they’re badly rusted or bent, replace them if your pad kit includes new ones.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket (the carrier)

• Remove the bracket bolts using a 15mm socket and breaker bar.
• Set the bracket aside.
• When reinstalling: Torque to 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• If equipped with a rotor retaining screw, remove it using a Torx T30 bit.
• Pull the rotor off the hub. If it’s stuck from rust, tap the rotor hat area with controlled hits using the handle end of a breaker bar (avoid hitting wheel studs).
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and spray with brake cleaner to help prevent rotor wobble.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove protective oil.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• If your rotor uses a retaining screw, install it using a Torx T30 bit and snug it (it’s not what holds the wheel on).

Step 8: Retract the rear caliper piston (important)

• Rear calipers on your Focus typically use a “screw-in” piston because the parking brake mechanism is built into the caliper.
• Use a brake caliper piston rewind tool (specialty) (it pushes and turns the piston at the same time) to rotate and press the piston back in.
• Go slowly and keep the piston straight so you don’t tear the boot.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir as you retract the piston—remove a little fluid with a clean syringe if it gets too full.

Step 9: Service slide pins and reinstall the bracket

• Pull the slide pins out of the bracket by hand.
• Wipe them clean and apply a thin coat of brake caliper grease (silicone) (don’t get grease on pad friction material).
• Reinstall the bracket and apply threadlocker (medium strength) to the bracket bolt threads.
• Tighten bracket bolts using a 15mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Install the new pads

• Install pad clips (if provided) onto the bracket by hand.
• Apply a light film of brake caliper grease (silicone) to pad “ears” where they slide in the clips.
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket by hand.
• Tip: Pads should slide easily—don’t force them.

Step 11: Reinstall the caliper

• Position the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Install the caliper slide pin bolts using a 13mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Install wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the car using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench: Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Restore pedal feel before driving

• With the engine off, press the brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off with DOT 4 brake fluid if needed.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and confirm the brake pedal stays firm.
• Do a slow test in a safe area: 5-10 mph stops first, then gradually higher.
• Bed-in the pads (recommended): make 8-10 moderate stops from 30 mph to 5 mph, letting brakes cool a bit between stops.
• Re-check for leaks, unusual noises, and verify the parking brake holds the car.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$260 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$390 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.