🔧 XT5 - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, swap the rear brake pads and rotors, then reassemble and verify everything works correctly. On your XT5, the rear brakes are tied to the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), so the EPB must be put into service mode before you push the caliper pistons back.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the XT5 on jack stands; never rely on a floor jack.
• 🛑 Let brakes cool fully; hot rotors/calipers can burn you.
• 🛑 Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• 🛑 Your XT5 uses an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB); retract it in service mode before compressing pistons or you can damage the calipers.
• 🛑 Keep brake fluid off paint; it damages finishes.
• 🛑 Battery disconnect is not required, but keep the key away from the vehicle so the EPB can’t auto-apply.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Wheel chocks
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• 22mm socket
• Breaker bar
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10–200 ft-lbs range)
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Torx T30 bit
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Scan tool with EPB service mode function (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Micofiber towels
• 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 pad hardware/abutment clips (if not included with pads) - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant (silicone or synthetic) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the front wheels with wheel chocks, and leave the transmission in PARK.
• Make sure the EPB is not actively clamping before you start.
• Plan to do one side at a time so you can use the other side as a reference.
• EPB Service Mode: You’ll need a scan tool that can command the rear EPB to retract/enter service mode. (A scan tool is a plug-in diagnostic device used to command vehicle modules.)

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen rear wheel lug nuts

• Use a 22mm socket with a breaker bar to crack the lug nuts loose (about 1/2 turn) while the XT5 is still on the ground.

Step 2: Lift and support the rear

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear of the XT5 at the proper rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands under solid rear support points and lower the vehicle onto them.
• Give the vehicle a gentle push to confirm it’s stable before you work.

Step 3: Remove the rear wheels

• Remove lug nuts using a 22mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Remove the wheels and set them aside.

Step 4: Retract the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) into service mode

• Connect the scan tool with EPB service mode function (specialty) and run the rear brake service function to retract the EPB.
• Follow the scan tool prompts until it confirms the rear EPB is retracted/service mode is active.
• Don’t skip this—EPB damage is expensive.

Step 5: Remove the rear caliper

• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the two rear caliper guide pin bolts.
• Carefully lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord so the brake hose isn’t stressed.

Step 6: Remove the rear brake pads

• Remove the inner and outer pads from the bracket by hand.
• Use a flathead screwdriver if needed to gently pry them free.

Step 7: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use an 18mm socket and breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket and set it aside.
• When reinstalling these bolts later: Torque to 155 Nm (114 ft-lbs)

Step 8: Remove the rotor

• If your rotor has a retaining screw, remove it with a Torx T30 bit.
• Remove the rotor. If it’s stuck, spray the hub area with brake cleaner spray and tap the rotor hat firmly (do not hit studs).
• When reinstalling the rotor screw later: Torque to 8 Nm (71 in-lbs)

Step 9: Clean the hub and prep the new rotor

• Use a wire brush to clean rust off the wheel hub face so the new rotor sits flat.
• Wipe everything with microfiber towels.
• Apply a very thin film of anti-seize compound to the hub face (avoid wheel studs and braking surfaces).
• Clean the new rotor friction surfaces with brake cleaner spray.

Step 10: Install the new rotor

• Place the new rotor onto the hub.
• Install the retaining screw (if equipped) using a Torx T30 bit and torque wrench: Torque to 8 Nm (71 in-lbs)

Step 11: Reinstall the caliper bracket and hardware

• Reinstall the bracket and start bolts by hand.
• Tighten using an 18mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 155 Nm (114 ft-lbs)
• If replacing abutment clips, remove/install them now and apply a light coat of brake lubricant where the pad ears slide.

Step 12: Compress the caliper piston

• Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap under the hood (this lets fluid move back easier). Keep it clean.
• Use a brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Go slow to avoid overflowing the reservoir.

Step 13: Install the new rear pads

• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to pad backing plate contact points (not on the pad friction material).

Step 14: Reinstall the caliper

• Set the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the caliper guide pin bolts using a 13mm socket.
• Tighten using a torque wrench: Torque to 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs)

Step 15: Repeat on the other rear side

• Repeat Steps 5–14 on the other rear wheel.

Step 16: Exit EPB service mode

• Use the scan tool with EPB service mode function (specialty) to command the EPB to exit service mode/extend to normal position.

Step 17: Reinstall wheels and lower the XT5

• Reinstall wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench: Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs)

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine OFF, pump the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Start the engine and confirm the pedal stays firm.
• Apply/release the EPB and confirm it works normally.
• Road test at low speed first and listen for scraping/grinding.
• Pad bedding (recommended): Make 8–10 moderate stops from 30–5 mph, allowing short cool-down between stops. Do not hold the pedal hard at a complete stop right after bedding.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $600-$1,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$450 (parts only)

You Save: $420-$550 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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