🔧 Tucson - Rear Brake Pads & Rotors Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rear brake rotors on your Tucson. Rear brakes wear out over time, and replacing pads and rotors together helps prevent noise, vibration, and uneven braking.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support your Tucson with jack stands before removing wheels.
• ⚠️ Never rely on a floor jack alone. A floor jack lifts the vehicle; jack stands hold it safely.
• ⚠️ Rear brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
• ⚠️ The rear parking brake must be fully released before removing the rear calipers and rotors.
• ⚠️ Your Tucson uses a mechanical parking brake system inside the rear rotor hat. Do not force the rotor off if it feels locked.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint. Wipe spills immediately with clean water.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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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
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Ratchet wrench 1/2-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• 19mm socket
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• C-clamp 6-inch
• Flat blade screwdriver 1/4-inch
• Phillips #3 screwdriver
• Impact screwdriver #3 Phillips (specialty)
• Rubber mallet 16-ounce
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner aerosol
• Shop towels
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Turkey baster or fluid syringe
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner aerosol - Qty: 1-2 cans
• DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Tucson on level ground.
• 🅿️ Shift to Park and release the parking brake completely.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels.
• 🧪 Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If it is near the MAX line, use a turkey baster or fluid syringe to remove a small amount before compressing caliper pistons.
• 🛞 Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• 📌 A caliper is the part that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor. The rotor is the round metal disc behind the wheel.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet wrench to loosen each rear lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen while tires touch ground.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of your Tucson at the rear center jacking point or approved rear side lift point.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before working.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Use safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Look at the brake hose, caliper, pads, and rotor before taking anything apart.
• Use brake cleaner aerosol and shop towels to clean loose dust from the area.
• Do not use compressed air.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet wrench to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it with the 17mm wrench while loosening the bolt with the 14mm socket.
• Lift the caliper off the pads.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension using the brake caliper hanger hook.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Use the flat blade screwdriver 1/4-inch to gently pry the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the old metal pad clips from the caliper bracket by hand or with the flat blade screwdriver 1/4-inch.
• These clips are called brake hardware. They help the pads slide smoothly.

Step 7: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use the 19mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet wrench to remove the two rear caliper bracket bolts.
• Set the caliper bracket aside.
• These bolts are tight from the factory, so use slow steady pressure.

Step 8: Remove the Rear Rotor Retaining Screw

• Use the Phillips #3 screwdriver to remove the rotor retaining screw.
• If the screw is stuck, use the impact screwdriver #3 Phillips.
• An impact screwdriver turns when struck and helps remove stuck screws without stripping them.
• Press hard before turning.

Step 9: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Make sure the parking brake is fully released.
• Pull the rotor straight off by hand.
• If it is stuck from rust, tap the rotor hat evenly with the rubber mallet 16-ounce.
• If the rotor still will not come off, the internal parking brake shoes may be catching. Do not pry hard against the backing plate.

Step 10: Clean the Hub Surface

• Use the wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face.
• Use brake cleaner aerosol and shop towels to wipe the hub clean.
• The new rotor must sit flat against the hub to prevent brake pedal vibration.

Step 11: Install the New Rear Rotor

• Clean both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner aerosol and shop towels.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• Install the rotor retaining screw using the Phillips #3 screwdriver.
• Torque to 4-6 Nm (35-53 in-lbs).

Step 12: Prepare the Caliper Bracket

• Use the wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Install the new brake hardware clips by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant only where the brake pad ears touch the clips.
• Do not put lubricant on the rotor or pad friction material.

Step 13: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Place the caliper bracket over the new rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 19mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque to 88-108 Nm (65-80 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads move smoothly in the hardware clips.
• Use a small amount of brake lubricant on pad backing contact points only.
• Do not grease the front face of the pads.

Step 15: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Use the brake caliper piston compression tool or C-clamp 6-inch to slowly push the caliper piston back into the caliper.
• A piston is the round metal part inside the caliper that pushes the pad.
• Go slowly and watch the brake fluid reservoir under the hood.
• If fluid rises near the top, remove a small amount with the turkey baster or fluid syringe.

Step 16: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the slide pin bolts.
• If the pin spins, hold it with the 17mm wrench.
• Torque to 22-32 Nm (16-24 ft-lbs).

Step 17: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 16 on the opposite rear brake.
• Always replace rear brake pads and rotors in pairs.

Step 18: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install the rear wheels by hand.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet wrench to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 19: Lower the Vehicle and Torque Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Tucson until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 88-107 Nm (65-79 ft-lbs).

Step 20: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before driving, press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid if needed.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Tucson and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm, not soft or sinking.
• ✅ Check behind both rear wheels for brake fluid leaks.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Listen for scraping, grinding, or clunking noises.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with 8-10 gentle stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph. Do not come to a full hard stop if possible.
• ✅ Avoid aggressive braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$280 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$370 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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