🔧 Acadia - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, swing the rear brake calipers out of the way, replace the pads (and hardware clips if equipped), then compress the caliper pistons so everything fits back together. This restores safe braking and prevents pad-to-metal damage on the rotors.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and support your Acadia with jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• Release the parking brake before starting; the rear brakes are affected by the parking brake system.
• Brake dust is harmful—use brake cleaner, not compressed air, to clean parts.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed; it can push the piston out and leak fluid.
• Watch the brake fluid level while compressing pistons; fluid can overflow the reservoir.

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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
• Breaker bar (1/2" drive)
• Torque wrench (1/2" drive, 20-200 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set (metric, 3/8" drive)
• Socket set (metric, 1/2" drive)
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• 18mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 19mm socket
• C-clamp (6" minimum)
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wire brush
• 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 pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• Make sure the parking brake is fully released.
• Crack the rear lug nuts loose 1/2 turn using a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• “Caliper” is the clamp that holds pads.
• A “caliper hanger” supports the caliper by the body.
• Assumption: Torque specs below are the common OEM-style values used on this Acadia; verify with factory service info if available.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Lift one rear corner using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the approved rear lift point.
• Set the vehicle onto a jack stand (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Repeat on the other rear side so both rear wheels are off the ground and stable.

Step 2: Remove the rear wheels

• Remove lug nuts using a 19mm socket and ratchet (3/8" drive) or breaker bar (1/2" drive).
• Remove both rear wheels and set them aside.

Step 3: Locate the caliper and remove the caliper bolts

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed for the rear; just work straight-on behind the hub.
• Remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts using a 13mm socket and ratchet (3/8" drive).
• Keep the bolts clean; set them aside in order.
• Slide pins are the small bolts caliper moves on.

Step 4: Support the caliper and remove old pads

• Carefully lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper using a brake caliper hanger hook so it does not pull on the brake hose.
• Remove the inner and outer brake pads from the bracket by hand; use a flathead screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.

Step 5: Replace pad hardware clips (recommended)

• Remove the stainless hardware clips from the bracket using a flathead screwdriver.
• Clean the bracket pad contact areas using a wire brush and spray with brake parts cleaner.
• Install the new hardware clips from the rear brake pad hardware kit by snapping them into place by hand.

Step 6: Compress the caliper piston

• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level (do not overfill).
• Place an old pad against the caliper piston face.
• Use a C-clamp (6" minimum) to slowly compress the piston fully into the caliper.
• If fluid rises near the max line, stop and remove a small amount (do not spill on paint).
• Go slow to avoid damaging the piston seal.

Step 7: Lubricate and install the new pads

• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper grease (silicone) to pad “ears” where they contact the hardware clips.
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket by hand.
• Do not get grease on pad friction surfaces or the rotor.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Reinstall the caliper slide pin bolts using a 13mm socket and ratchet (3/8" drive).
• Tighten with a torque wrench (1/2" drive): Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 9: If you removed the caliper bracket (only if needed)

• If the rotor had to be removed or you chose to remove the bracket, reinstall bracket bolts using an 18mm socket.
• Tighten with a torque wrench (1/2" drive): Torque to 125 Nm (92 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall both wheels and hand-thread the lug nuts.
• Snug lug nuts using a 19mm socket in a star pattern.
• Lower your Acadia off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Final-tighten lug nuts with a torque wrench (1/2" drive): Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Before driving, pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons against the new pads).
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Do a slow test in a safe area: confirm normal stopping and no pulling or grinding.
• Pad break-in (bedding): make 6-10 smooth stops from ~30 mph to ~5 mph, letting brakes cool a bit between stops.
• Re-check for any leaks, unusual smells, or wheel area heat after the first short drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$160 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$290 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.8 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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