🔧 Rear Brake Pads & Rotors - Replacement

Your CX-5 uses rear disc brakes, and the rear pads and rotors are replaced together for the best pedal feel and stopping performance. Because this trim uses an electronic parking brake, you must put the rear calipers into service mode before retracting the pistons.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the vehicle securely on jack stands before removing any wheels. Never rely on a jack alone.
• Put the transmission in Park and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Use the electronic parking brake service mode before compressing the rear caliper pistons.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Brake dust can be harmful; avoid blowing it off with compressed air.
• No battery disconnect is normally required, but keep the ignition ON/OFF exactly as needed for EPB service mode.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Electronic parking brake scan tool (specialty)
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Bungee cord or mechanic's wire
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1 set
• Rear brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1 set
• Brake caliper grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the transmission to Park.
• Chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly before raising the vehicle.
• Put the electronic parking brake into maintenance/service mode with your scan tool before removing the calipers. An electronic parking brake is a motorized parking brake system.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the EPB in service mode

• Use the electronic parking brake scan tool to command the rear parking brake into service mode.
• Confirm the rear parking brake motors retract fully before continuing.
• Do not skip this step.

Step 2: Raise and secure the rear of the CX-5

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of the vehicle at the approved lift point.
• Place jack stands under the rear support points and lower the vehicle onto them.
• Remove both rear wheels using the 21mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper

• Use the 14mm socket to remove the rear caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket carefully.
• Hang the caliper with bungee cord or mechanic's wire; do not let it hang by the brake hose.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket and rotor

• Use the 17mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• If the rotor is stuck, use a flat blade screwdriver to remove the small retaining screws if equipped, then pull the rotor off.
• Tap the rotor hat lightly if corrosion has it stuck.

Step 5: Clean the mounting surface

• Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to clean the hub face until it is flat and rust-free.
• Clean the bracket and inspect the slide pins and hardware.
• Rust on the hub causes rotor wobble.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove protective oil.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• If the retaining screw was removed, reinstall it lightly.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Position the bracket and install the bolts using the 17mm socket.
• Torque to 76 Nm (56 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Install new pads and compress the caliper

• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper grease to the pad contact points and slide surfaces.
• Install the new pad hardware and pads.
• Use a C-clamp to slowly compress the rear caliper piston if it is already in service mode and fully retracted.
• Make sure the piston face is aligned correctly with the pad notch as you compress it.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the caliper slide bolts with the 14mm socket.
• Torque to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reassemble and torque the wheels

• Reinstall both rear wheels using the 21mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Exit EPB service mode

• Use the electronic parking brake scan tool to exit service mode and recalibrate the rear parking brake system.
• Confirm the parking brake applies and releases normally.

---

✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before driving to restore pedal feel.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Test the parking brake in a safe area.
• Listen for scraping or grinding during the first test drive.
• Brake pads may need a short break-in period for best performance.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$800 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$450 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.