🔧 GLE - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

Replacing the rear pads and rotors restores braking performance and prevents metal-to-metal damage. On your GLE, the parking brake uses a small drum brake inside the rear rotor (“drum-in-hat”), so you may also need to back off the parking brake adjuster to remove the rotor.

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

Assumption: Factory rear brakes with wear sensor on one side.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the GLE with jack stands before going under it.
• ⚠️ Chock the front wheels and make sure the parking brake is fully released before starting.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid damages paint; wipe spills immediately.

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🔧 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
• 17mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-200 Nm range)
• 7mm hex bit socket
• E18 external Torx socket
• T30 Torx bit
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• Extension set
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Pick tool
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord
• Rubber mallet
• Brake parts cleaner
• Nitrile 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 - Qty: 2
• Rear brake pad wear sensor - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper carrier bolts - Qty: 4
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• High-temp brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and release the parking brake fully.
• Chock both front wheels using wheel chocks.
• Loosen the rear wheel bolts 1/2 turn with a 17mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Open the hood and check brake fluid level; if it’s near MAX, be ready to remove a small amount to prevent overflow when compressing pistons.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Lift one rear corner with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support with a jack stand (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Repeat for the other side or lift the rear safely as a pair.
• Remove the wheels using a 17mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper (leave the hose connected)

• Turn the steering wheel is not required for the rear; position yourself for access.
• Remove the two caliper guide pin bolts using a 7mm hex bit socket and ratchet (3/8" drive).
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it from the suspension spring using a bungee cord.
• Tip: Never let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and wear sensor

• Slide the inner and outer pads out of the caliper bracket by hand; use a flat-blade screwdriver gently if stuck.
• Unclip the wear sensor from the pad and disconnect it from its harness using a pick tool.
• Set the sensor routing aside so you can copy it exactly later.

Step 4: Remove the caliper carrier (bracket)

• Remove the two carrier bolts using an E18 external Torx socket with a breaker bar.
• Remove the carrier and set it aside.
• When reinstalling later: Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the rotor retaining screw

• Remove the rotor set screw using a T30 Torx bit and ratchet (3/8" drive).
• When reinstalling later: Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs).

Step 6: Remove the rotor (and back off the parking brake if needed)

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub. If it’s stuck, tap the hat section with a rubber mallet.
• If it still won’t come off, the parking brake shoes are holding it.
• Remove the rubber access plug (if equipped) and rotate the rotor to align the access hole with the adjuster.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to turn the parking brake star wheel adjuster to retract the shoes.
• Star wheel adjuster: a toothed wheel that expands/shrinks the parking brake shoes.

Step 7: Clean and prep the hub and carrier

• Clean the hub face with a wire brush so the new rotor sits flat.
• Spray rust/brake dust off parts with brake parts cleaner.
• Apply a very thin film of anti-seize compound to the hub center (not the wheel studs/bolts).

Step 8: Install the new rotor

• Install the new rotor onto the hub.
• Install the rotor set screw using a T30 Torx bit.
• Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper carrier

• Position the carrier and install the new carrier bolts using an E18 external Torx socket.
• Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Lubricate contact points and install new pads

• Clean the pad sliding surfaces on the carrier with brake parts cleaner.
• Apply a light coat of high-temp brake lubricant to the pad ears (the metal tabs that slide in the bracket).
• Slide the new pads into place.
• Install the new wear sensor into the correct pad and route the wire exactly like the original.

Step 11: Compress the caliper piston and reinstall the caliper

• Compress the caliper piston using a brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty).
• Piston: the round part that pushes the pads into the rotor.
• Slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the guide pin bolts using a 7mm hex bit socket.
• Torque to 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs).
• Double-check the wear sensor connector is fully seated.

Step 12: Reinstall wheels

• Install the wheels and hand-thread all wheel bolts.
• Lower the GLE and torque the wheel bolts in a star pattern using a 1/2" drive torque wrench.
• Torque to 150 Nm (111 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until it feels firm before driving.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test at low speed first; confirm no pulling, grinding, or warning messages.
• Bed-in the pads: make 6-10 moderate stops from 30-40 mph, allowing short cool-down between stops.
• If the parking brake was backed off, confirm it holds on a gentle incline and adjust if necessary.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $650-$1,050 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $220-$450 (parts only)

You Save: $430-$600 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?

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