🔧 Tucson - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads on your Tucson. Rear pads wear down over time and can cause squealing, grinding, longer stopping distance, or rotor damage if ignored.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands before putting any part of your body near the vehicle.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air; use brake cleaner.
• ⚠️ The rear caliper piston must be pushed straight back carefully so the rubber boot is not torn.
• ⚠️ If the brake fluid reservoir is very full, fluid may rise when compressing the caliper piston.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this rear pad replacement on your Tucson.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 17mm open-end wrench
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• C-clamp 6-inch
• Old brake pad
• Flathead screwdriver medium
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 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 slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Tucson on level ground and shift to Park.
• 🛑 Apply the parking brake only while loosening the rear lug nuts, then release it before removing the caliper.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• 📌 Open the brake fluid reservoir cap under the hood and cover the area with shop towels.
• 🔎 A caliper is the clamp around the brake rotor that squeezes the brake pads when you press the pedal.
• 🔎 A slide pin is a smooth pin that lets the caliper move evenly as the pads wear.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench or breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tire is still on the ground so it does not spin.
• Tip: Do not remove the lug nuts yet.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack at the rear center lift point or approved rear side jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Lightly shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

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

Step 4: Release the Parking Brake

• Make sure the front wheels are still blocked with wheel chocks.
• Release the parking brake fully before removing the rear caliper.
• This prevents the rear pads from dragging against the rotor during removal.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper Lower and Upper Bolts

• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet wrench to remove the rear caliper guide pin bolts.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it steady with the 17mm open-end wrench.
• Remove the lower bolt first, then the upper bolt.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Lift Off and Support the Caliper

• Use your hands to lift the caliper off the brake pads.
• If it is stuck, gently use a medium flathead screwdriver to wiggle it loose.
• Rest the caliper on the suspension arm so the brake hose is not stretched.
• Tip: Be gentle with the rubber brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Use your hands or a medium flathead screwdriver to slide the old inner and outer pads out of the bracket.
• Remove the old metal pad clips from the caliper bracket.
• Spray the bracket contact areas with brake cleaner spray and wipe clean with shop towels.
• Do not spray brake cleaner on painted body panels.

Step 8: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Place an old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use the 6-inch C-clamp to slowly push the piston straight back into the caliper.
• A C-clamp is a screw-style clamp that slowly presses parts together in a controlled way.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston so it does not overflow.
• If fluid gets close to the top, use clean shop towels to absorb overflow from around the reservoir area.

Step 9: Install New Pad Hardware

• Install the new rear brake pad hardware kit clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure each clip sits fully flat in the bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease only where the pad ears touch the clips.
• Do not get grease on the pad friction material or rotor surface.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new rear brake pads into the bracket by hand.
• The friction material must face the rotor.
• The pads should move smoothly in the clips without force.
• If a pad is tight, remove it and check clip position before continuing.

Step 11: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads by hand.
• Start both caliper guide pin bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet wrench to snug the bolts.
• Use the 17mm open-end wrench to hold the slide pin if needed.
• Use the 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the caliper guide pin bolts to Torque to 22-32 Nm (16-24 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 11 on the opposite rear wheel.
• Use the same 14mm socket, 17mm open-end wrench, C-clamp, brake cleaner spray, and shop towels.
• Always replace rear pads as a left-and-right set.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each wheel back on the hub by hand.
• Install the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 14: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise the rear slightly and remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Tucson until the tires touch the ground firmly.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 21mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 88-108 Nm (65-80 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before driving, press the brake pedal slowly 5-10 times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir and reinstall the cap by hand.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Tucson and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm, not spongy.
• ✅ Check behind both rear wheels for fluid leaks.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Bed in the pads with several gentle stops from 30 mph to help them seat evenly.
• ✅ If you hear grinding, feel pulling, or the pedal feels soft, stop driving and recheck the work.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$380 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$95 (parts only)

You Save: $175-$285 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

---

🎯 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.