🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the rear disc brake pads on your Grand Cherokee. Rear brake pads wear down over time, and replacing them before they get too thin helps protect the rotors and keeps braking safe.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support your Grand Cherokee with jack stands. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep the transmission in Park and chock the front wheels so the vehicle cannot roll.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Rear brakes may be hot after driving. Let them cool before starting.
• ⚠️ Your Grand Cherokee uses a separate parking brake shoe system inside the rear rotor hat, so the electronic parking brake retraction procedure is not used for this rear pad job.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for rear brake pad replacement.

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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
• 22mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 13mm socket
• 15mm wrench
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lb range)
• Disc brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake parts cleaning brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Bungee cord
• 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 lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground.
• 🛞 Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• 🔒 Release the parking brake before lifting the rear. The parking brake uses small internal shoes inside the rear rotors.
• 🧰 A caliper is the clamp-shaped brake part that squeezes the pads against the rotor.
• 🧰 A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct tightness so they are not too loose or too tight.
• 🧼 Brake cleaner removes brake dust and grease. Do not breathe brake dust.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 22mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground.
• Loosen only, do not remove yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear of your Grand Cherokee at a safe rear lift point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under solid rear support points.
• Gently lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Lightly shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before working near the wheels.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheel

• Use a 22mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove the rear wheel and set it flat under the side of the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Caliper Slide Bolts

• Look behind the rear brake caliper and find the two caliper slide bolts.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the upper and lower caliper slide bolts.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it with a 15mm wrench while loosening the bolt with the 13mm socket.
• Set the bolts aside in a clean place.

Step 5: Lift the Caliper Off the Pads

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver carefully between the caliper and pad to create a little movement if the caliper is stuck.
• Slide the caliper off the brake pads.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension using a bungee cord.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Pull the old rear brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry them loose if needed.
• Remove the old stainless pad clips from the caliper bracket.
• Compare the old pads to the new rear brake pad set to make sure the shape matches.

Step 7: Clean the Caliper Bracket

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use brake cleaner spray and a brake parts cleaning brush to clean the areas where the pad clips sit.
• Wipe away loose dirt and rust dust.
• Do not spray brake cleaner on painted body panels.

Step 8: Install New Pad Hardware

• Install the new clips from the rear brake pad hardware kit into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver only if a clip needs gentle seating.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant on the clip contact points where the pad ears slide.
• Do not put lubricant on the brake pad friction material or rotor surface.

Step 9: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level in the reservoir.
• If the reservoir is near full, watch it closely while compressing the piston so it does not overflow.
• Use a disc brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to slowly push the rear caliper piston straight back into the caliper.
• A caliper compression tool pushes the piston back so thicker new pads will fit.
• Compress slowly and evenly until the piston is fully seated.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new rear brake pad set into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure each pad moves smoothly in the new clips.
• If a pad is tight, remove it and recheck clip seating and bracket cleanliness.
• Pads should slide, not jam.

Step 11: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and carefully lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both caliper slide bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 13mm socket to snug the caliper slide bolts.
• Hold the slide pin with a 15mm wrench if it spins.
• Use a torque wrench (10-150 ft-lb range) and 13mm socket to tighten the caliper slide bolts to Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Reinstall the Rear Wheel

• Place the wheel back onto the hub.
• Install the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use a 22mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to lightly snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 3 through 12 on the other rear wheel.
• Rear brake pads must be replaced in pairs so braking stays even.

Step 14: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Wheels

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Lower your Grand Cherokee until the tires touch the ground.
• Use a torque wrench (10-150 ft-lb range) and 22mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly several times.
• The pedal will go low at first, then become firm.
• Do not drive until the brake pedal feels firm.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level and make sure it is between the MIN and MAX marks.
• ✅ Start the engine and press the brake pedal again. Confirm the pedal feels firm.
• ✅ Test the brakes at very low speed in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Listen for scraping, grinding, or clicking noises.
• ✅ Perform a gentle break-in: make several smooth stops from about 30 mph, allowing cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after a short drive: Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $45-$120 (parts only)

You Save: $205-$330 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.

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