🔧 CX-5 - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

This job replaces the rear brake pads and rotors on your CX-5. Worn pads/rotors reduce stopping power and can cause vibration, noise, and longer stopping distances.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Work on a flat surface and chock the front wheels before lifting.
• 🛑 Release the parking brake before rear brake work, or the rotor may not come off.
• 🛑 Support the CX-5 with jack stands; never rely only on a jack.
• 🛑 Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose; support it with a hanger.
• 🛑 Brake dust is hazardous; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.

---

🔧 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
• Torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range)
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Breaker bar
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp (6-inch) or brake caliper piston tool (specialty)
• Brake caliper wind-back tool kit (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord or mechanic’s wire
• Rubber mallet
• M8 x 1.25 bolts (about 40-50mm long)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Brake cleaner
• High-temp silicone brake grease
• Shop towels
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 quart

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the transmission in 1st gear, and chock the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake fully.
• Pop the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level; fluid may rise when pistons are pushed back.
• Brake “wind-back” tool rotates and compresses piston.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen lug nuts and lift the rear

• Use a lug wrench or 21mm socket to loosen the rear lug nuts 1/2 turn.
• Lift the rear using the floor jack and support with jack stands at the proper rear lift points.
• Remove the wheels using the lug wrench or 21mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Turn the steering wheel slightly if needed for access, then locate the rear caliper slide-pin bolts.
• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to remove the two caliper slide-pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord or mechanic’s wire.
• Torque to 25-35 Nm (18-26 ft-lbs) during reassembly.

Step 3: Remove pads and inspect hardware

• Remove the pads from the bracket by hand or with a flathead screwdriver (gentle prying).
• Remove the pad clips (hardware) using needle-nose pliers if replacing.
• Clean the bracket pad lands with brake cleaner, shop towels, and a wire brush.
• Apply a thin film of high-temp silicone brake grease where the pad ears slide (not on pad friction material).

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 17mm socket with a breaker bar to remove the two bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket and set it aside.
• Torque to 65-90 Nm (48-66 ft-lbs) during reassembly.

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• If the rotor is stuck, spray the hub area with brake cleaner and let it soak a minute.
• Thread two M8 x 1.25 bolts into the rotor’s push-off holes and tighten evenly with a ratchet to press the rotor off.
• If needed, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet to break rust loose.
• If rotor won’t budge, parking brake may be engaged.

Step 6: Prep the hub and install the new rotor

• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and wipe with brake cleaner and shop towels.
• Install the new rotor. If it rocks, keep cleaning the hub until it sits flat.
• Temporarily hold the rotor in place with one lug nut finger-tight using the lug wrench or 21mm socket.

Step 7: Reinstall the bracket

• Reinstall the caliper bracket and start bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten using the 17mm socket and then finish with a torque wrench.
• Torque to 65-90 Nm (48-66 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Wind back the rear caliper piston

• Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap (under the hood) by hand to prevent pressure buildup.
• Use a brake caliper wind-back tool kit (specialty) to rotate and compress the piston slowly.
• This rear piston must be pushed in while turning; keep it straight so it doesn’t jam.
• Watch the reservoir level and remove fluid if it’s near overflowing using shop towels.

Step 9: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Install new pad hardware (clips) if included using needle-nose pliers.
• Install the new pads into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a small amount of high-temp silicone brake grease to the pad backing plate contact points (where the caliper touches).
• Reinstall the caliper over the pads and start slide-pin bolts by hand.
• Tighten slide-pin bolts using a 14mm socket, then use a torque wrench.
• Torque to 25-35 Nm (18-26 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall the wheels and snug the lug nuts using a lug wrench or 21mm socket.
• Lower the CX-5 off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

---

✅ 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 if needed.
• Apply and release the parking brake a few times to confirm normal feel.
• Test drive at low speed first; confirm no pulling, grinding, or warning lights.
• New pads need gentle stops for 200 miles.

---

💰 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.

---

🎯 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.