🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Rear Pad Replacement

The rear brake pads on your Ram are replaced by removing the rear caliper, swapping the pads, and reinstalling everything with the correct torque. Since the rear parking brake uses a drum-in-hat setup, make sure it is fully released before you start.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on level ground and chock the front wheels.
• Support the truck with jack stands only. Never rely on the jack.
• Let the brakes cool before starting if the truck was recently driven.
• Release the parking brake fully before removing the rear caliper.
• Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• No battery disconnect is 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 wrench or socket
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Brake caliper hanger or hook
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Bungee cord
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

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

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the transmission in Park.
• Release the parking brake fully.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• If the brake fluid reservoir is full, open it carefully before compressing the caliper piston.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear of the truck

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear axle.
• Place jack stands under the axle or approved frame points.
• Remove the rear wheels with the 21mm lug wrench or socket.
• Keep the truck stable before continuing.

Step 2: Remove the 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 bungee cord or brake caliper hanger.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Use a flat blade screwdriver to remove the anti-rattle clips if needed.
• Remove rust and buildup from the bracket with a wire brush.
• Clean the area with brake cleaner.

Step 4: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp to slowly push the caliper piston back into the bore.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing.
• Go slow to avoid damaging the seals.

Step 5: Install the new hardware and pads

• Install the new hardware clips from the rear brake hardware kit.
• Apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease to the slide pins and pad contact points only.
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the caliper bolts with the 13mm socket.
• Torque to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel

• Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts with the 21mm lug wrench or socket.
• Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Seat the pads

• Before moving the truck, press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Never drive until the pedal feels normal.

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✅ After Repair

• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• Listen for grinding, rubbing, or clunking noises.
• Check for brake fluid leaks around the caliper.
• Recheck lug nut torque after a short drive.
• New pads may need a short break-in period for best performance.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $280-$480 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $70-$160 (parts only)

You Save: $210-$320 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 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.