🔧 Rear Brake Pads & Rotors - Replacement

This job replaces the rear brake pads and rotors on your F-150. You’ll remove the rear wheels, take off the caliper and bracket, swap the rotor, then install the new pads and hardware. New rotors and pads restore braking performance and help fix noise, pulsation, or thin-pad wear.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface with the transmission in Park and the parking brake released only when instructed.
• Chock the front wheels before lifting the rear of the truck.
• Use jack stands. Never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Brake parts may be hot if the truck was recently driven.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.
• If your truck has an electronic parking brake, put it in brake service mode before starting.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for truck weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 19mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• 17mm socket
• Large C-clamp
• Bungee cord or mechanic’s wire
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and chock the front wheels.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• If equipped with an electronic parking brake, place it in Brake Service Mode first.
• Keep the parking brake released during rear brake service unless the service mode procedure requires otherwise.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift the rear of the truck

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear axle or approved lift point.
• Support both sides with jack stands (rated for truck weight).
• Remove the rear wheels with a 21mm socket.
• Torque note for reassembly: wheel lug nuts to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs).

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 17mm socket to remove the caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with bungee cord or mechanic’s wire.
• Do not stretch the brake hose.
• Torque for reassembly: caliper slide bolts to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 3: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use the 21mm socket and breaker bar to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Take the bracket off and set it aside.
• Torque for reassembly: caliper bracket bolts to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, use a flat-blade screwdriver through the access hole to back off the parking brake adjuster slightly.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and brake cleaner.
• Rust on the hub causes rotor wobble.

Step 5: Install the new rotor and pads

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner and wipe it dry.
• Install the rotor on the hub.
• Install the new pad hardware from the rear brake hardware kit.
• Apply light brake grease only to pad contact points, not friction surfaces.
• Use a large C-clamp to push the caliper piston back in slowly.
• Install the new rear brake pads in the bracket.

Step 6: Reinstall the bracket and caliper

• Reinstall the caliper bracket using the 21mm socket.
• Torque to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).
• Install the caliper over the new pads.
• Reinstall the slide bolts with the 17mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel and repeat on the other side

• Put the wheel back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts with a torque wrench to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs).
• Repeat the same steps on the opposite rear wheel.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking.
• If equipped with electronic parking brake service mode, exit service mode after the repair.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops when possible to let the pads seat properly.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $180-$380 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$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?

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.