🔧 Rear Brake Pads and Rotors - Replacement

This job replaces the rear brake pads and rotors so braking stays smooth and quiet. On your F-150, the rear caliper piston must be compressed carefully, and if your truck has an electronic parking brake, it must be put into service mode first.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on level ground and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Support the truck with jack stands only; never rely on a jack alone.
• If equipped with an electronic parking brake, put it in service mode before removing rear calipers. Do not force the rear pistons back without service mode.
• Brake parts and rotors can be hot. Let everything cool before starting.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Use brake cleaner only in a well-ventilated area.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this repair unless your parking brake service procedure specifically calls for it.

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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
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Breaker bar
• 21mm socket
• 13mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Ratchet
• C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Hook or bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Micrometer or caliper gauge
• Trim tool
• Scan tool with parking brake service mode (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1 set
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1 set
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a flat surface and set the transmission in Park.
• Engage the parking brake unless your vehicle uses electronic parking brake service mode.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• If equipped with electronic parking brake: use the scan tool to place it in service mode first. Menu path varies by tool.
• Have all parts ready before you remove anything.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the truck

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of the truck at the approved lift point.
• Place jack stands under the rear frame rails.
• Remove both rear wheels with the 21mm socket and a breaker bar.

Step 2: Put the parking brake in service mode

• If your truck has an electronic parking brake, use the scan tool with parking brake service mode to retract it.
• If it has a manual parking brake, make sure it is fully released.
• Do not skip this step.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper

• Use the 13mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a hook or bungee cord.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and bracket

• Remove the old brake pads from the bracket.
• Use the 13mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Set the bracket aside and inspect the hardware.

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, use a flat-blade screwdriver or tap gently behind the rotor.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and brake cleaner.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner before installing it.
• Slide the rotor onto the hub.
• Make sure it sits flush and spins without major wobble.

Step 7: Reinstall the bracket and new pads

• Install the caliper bracket using the 13mm socket.
• Torque to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the slide pins and contact points.
• Install the new pads and hardware.

Step 8: Compress the caliper piston

• Use the C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool to push the piston back slowly.
• If equipped with electronic parking brake, make sure it is still in service mode before compressing the piston.
• Go slow to avoid seal damage.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts with the 13mm socket.
• Torque to 33 Nm (24 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Repeat on the other side

• Repeat the same procedure for the opposite rear wheel.
• Replace both rear rotors and both rear pad sets as a pair.

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and lower the truck

• Install the wheels with the 21mm socket.
• Lower the truck with the floor jack.
• Torque the lug nuts to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs) in a star pattern.

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✅ After Repair

• Before driving, pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• If equipped, exit parking brake service mode with the scan tool.
• Check brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area first.
• Listen for rubbing or clunking and recheck lug nut torque after a short drive.
• New brake pads need a short break-in period; avoid hard stops for the first few drives.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $500-$900 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $320-$520 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 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.