🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Grand Cherokee means removing the rear wheels, retracting the rear caliper pistons, swapping the pads, and reinstalling everything safely. Because your Grand Cherokee uses an electronic parking brake, the rear brakes must be put into service mode before the calipers are removed.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Use Brake Service Mode before removing the rear calipers; this retracts the electronic parking brake motors so they are not damaged.
• ⚠️ Never press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Support your Grand Cherokee with jack stands; never work under or beside a vehicle held only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful; wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and use brake cleaner instead of compressed air.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not normally required for this 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 torque wrench
• 13mm socket
• 15mm open-end wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compression tool
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner aerosol
• Shop towels
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Dust mask

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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 slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground.
• Place the transmission in Park.
• Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Do not set the parking brake before starting; the rear parking brake must be released.
• Put the rear brakes into service mode using the instrument cluster menu: Vehicle Info > Brake Service > Brake Service Mode.
• If prompted, follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the message that service mode is active.
• A brake caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor to stop the vehicle.
• A caliper piston is the round part inside the caliper that pushes the inner brake pad.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Activate Rear Brake Service Mode

• Use the steering wheel controls to open the instrument cluster menu.
• Select Vehicle Info > Brake Service > Brake Service Mode.
• Follow the screen prompts until the cluster confirms the rear brakes are in service mode.
• Keep the ignition on until service mode finishes, then turn ignition off.
• Listen for the rear motors stopping.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

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

Step 3: Raise and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum at the rear lift point to raise the rear of your Grand Cherokee.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum 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 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet or breaker bar to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels.
• Set the wheels flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper Bolts

• Work on one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the upper and lower rear caliper guide pin bolts.
• If the guide pin spins, hold it with a 15mm open-end wrench while loosening the bolt with the 13mm socket.
• A guide pin lets the caliper slide evenly as the pads wear.

Step 6: Lift Off and Support the Caliper

• Use a flat blade screwdriver to gently wiggle the caliper loose if it is stuck.
• Lift the caliper off the rotor.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension using a bungee cord.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Use your gloved hands to slide the old rear brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Use a flat blade screwdriver to gently remove the old pad hardware clips from the bracket.
• Inspect the rotor surface for deep grooves, heavy rust, or a raised outer lip.
• If rotors are badly worn or damaged, replace the rear rotors with the pads.

Step 8: Clean the Caliper Bracket

• Use a wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Spray the bracket with brake cleaner aerosol.
• Wipe the area with shop towels.
• Clean brackets prevent brake noise.

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 and secure.
• Apply a very thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the pad contact points on the clips.
• Do not get grease on the rotor or pad friction surface.

Step 10: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Check that Brake Service Mode is still active before compressing the piston.
• Use a brake caliper piston compression tool to slowly press the caliper piston straight back into the caliper bore.
• Go slowly so brake fluid can return to the reservoir without overflowing.
• If the piston does not move smoothly, stop and recheck service mode.

Step 11: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.
• The pads should move smoothly in the hardware clips without binding.
• Do not force the pads in.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Align the caliper with the guide pins.
• Start both caliper bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 13mm socket and 15mm open-end wrench to tighten the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 12 on the opposite rear wheel.
• Use the same 13mm socket, 15mm open-end wrench, brake caliper piston compression tool, and cleaning tools.
• Replace rear brake pads in pairs only.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install each rear wheel by hand.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 22mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Do not fully torque them while the vehicle is in the air.

Step 15: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift slightly and remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Grand Cherokee until the rear tires touch the ground.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 22mm lug nut socket to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before moving the vehicle, press the brake pedal slowly several times.
• The pedal may go low at first, then become firm.
• This seats the caliper pistons against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the brake pedal feels firm.

Step 17: Exit Brake Service Mode

• Turn the ignition on.
• Use the steering wheel controls to select Vehicle Info > Brake Service > Brake Service Mode.
• Follow the prompts to deactivate service mode.
• Wait until the cluster confirms normal brake operation.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level and make sure it is between MIN and MAX.
• ✅ Start the vehicle and confirm the brake warning light turns off.
• ✅ Test the parking brake switch to confirm it applies and releases normally.
• ✅ Drive slowly in a safe area and make several gentle stops.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with 8-10 moderate stops from about 30 mph, allowing cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 22mm lug nut socket.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $275-$475 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $155-$430 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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🎯 Ready to get started?

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