🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the rear disc brake pads on your Grand Cherokee. The rear brakes use an electronic parking brake system, so the parking brake must be placed into service mode before pushing the caliper piston back in.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Your Grand Cherokee has an electronic parking brake. Do not remove the rear caliper until the parking brake is in service mode.
• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the vehicle with jack stands. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and use brake cleaner instead of compressed air.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Keep brake grease and fingerprints off the pad friction material and rotor faces.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not normally required for this brake pad replacement.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 13mm socket
• 15mm wrench
• 18mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 1/2-inch breaker bar
• Torque wrench rated 20-150 ft-lbs
• Rear brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray nozzle
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• 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 lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2, if worn, grooved, warped, or below minimum thickness

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground.
• Place the transmission in Park and leave the ignition off at first.
• Chock both front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Do not set the parking brake before lifting the rear.
• A caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.
• A rotor is the round metal disc behind the wheel.
• A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct tightness so they are not loose or over-tightened.
• Electronic parking brake service mode is required so the rear caliper piston can be pushed back safely.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Electronic Parking Brake in Service Mode

• Sit in the driver seat with the vehicle safely parked.
• Turn the ignition to ON/RUN without starting the engine.
• Use the Uconnect screen and select Apps > Settings > Brakes > Brake Service.
• Follow the on-screen prompt to retract the electronic parking brake.
• Wait until the screen confirms service mode is active.
• Turn the ignition off after service mode is active.
• Do not touch the brake pedal.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not fully remove the lug nuts yet.

Step 3: Lift and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use the 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 proper rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Lightly shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before working.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper Guide Pin Bolts

• Work on one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.
• Use a 15mm wrench to hold the caliper guide pin steady.
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the upper and lower caliper guide pin bolts.
• The guide pins are the small sliding pins that let the caliper move evenly as the pads wear.

Step 6: Lift the Caliper Off the Pads

• 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 brake caliper hanger hook.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.
• Support the caliper before letting go.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Pull the old inner and outer brake pads out by hand.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to carefully remove the old metal pad clips from the caliper bracket.
• The pad clips are thin metal guides that help the pads slide smoothly.

Step 8: Inspect the Rotor and Bracket

• Look at the rotor surface for deep grooves, cracks, blue heat spots, or heavy rust.
• If the rotor is damaged or too thin, replace both rear rotors as a pair.
• If rotor replacement is needed, use the 18mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• When reinstalling the caliper bracket, use the 18mm socket and torque wrench rated 20-150 ft-lbs; Torque to 74 ft-lbs.

Step 9: Clean the Pad Contact Areas

• Use the wire brush to clean the caliper bracket areas where the pad clips sit.
• Use the brake cleaner spray nozzle to wash away brake dust and dirt.
• Let the parts dry before applying lubricant.

Step 10: Install the New Pad Hardware

• Press the new rear brake pad hardware clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the metal contact points on the clips.
• Do not put lubricant on the rotor or the pad friction surface.
• A thin film is enough.

Step 11: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Use the rear brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly push the caliper piston back into the caliper.
• The piston is the round part inside the caliper that pushes the inner brake pad.
• Go slowly and keep the piston straight.
• Stop once the piston is fully seated.
• If the piston will not move, stop and confirm the electronic parking brake is still in service mode.

Step 12: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Install the new inner and outer rear brake pads into the bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads slide freely in the new hardware clips.
• If a pad is tight, remove it and clean the contact area again with the wire brush.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Remove the caliper from the brake caliper hanger hook.
• Slide the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Use the 15mm wrench to hold the guide pin steady.
• Use the 13mm socket and torque wrench rated 20-150 ft-lbs to tighten the guide pin bolts; Torque to 26 ft-lbs.

Step 14: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 13 on the opposite rear wheel.
• Use the same tools and torque specs.
• Always replace rear brake pads as a complete axle set.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each rear wheel back onto the hub.
• Thread the lug nuts on by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 21mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 16: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to raise the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
• Use the 21mm socket and torque wrench rated 20-150 ft-lbs to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern; Torque to 130 ft-lbs.

Step 17: Exit Brake Service Mode

• Turn the ignition to ON/RUN without starting the engine.
• Use the Uconnect screen and select Apps > Settings > Brakes > Brake Service.
• Follow the on-screen prompt to exit brake service mode.
• Wait until the electronic parking brake finishes cycling.

Step 18: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Use your foot to slowly press and release the brake pedal several times.
• The pedal should become firm before driving.
• If the pedal feels soft or sinks, do not drive until the brakes are inspected.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the engine and confirm the brake warning light turns off.
• ✅ Test the electronic parking brake switch several times while parked.
• ✅ Check around both rear calipers for brake fluid leaks.
• ✅ Take a slow test drive in a safe area and confirm normal braking.
• ✅ Bed in the pads with 8-10 gentle stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, allowing cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive; Torque to 130 ft-lbs.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $280-$520 USD equivalent, or roughly ₹23,000-₹43,000 depending on local labor and parts quality

DIY Cost: $45-$120 USD equivalent, or roughly ₹3,700-₹10,000 for pads and supplies

You Save: $160-$400 USD equivalent 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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