🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Replacement

This job replaces the rear brake pads and resets the rear caliper so the new pads fit correctly. On your Grand Cherokee, the rear parking brake is typically electronic, so the caliper must be put into service mode before the pads come out.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a cool brake system only. Rotors and calipers can get very hot.
• Use wheel chocks and support the vehicle with jack stands. Never rely on a jack alone.
• Rear calipers may be under pressure from the electronic parking brake. Put the system in service mode first.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• If you disconnect the battery, you may need to reset some vehicle settings afterward.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 6mm Allen socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or mechanic’s hook
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Electronic parking brake scan tool (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• 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
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the transmission in Park.
• Chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Put the electronic parking brake into service mode with a scan tool before removing the rear pads.
• If your scan tool shows a different EPB menu path, follow the scan tool’s on-screen prompts exactly.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the rear brake system in service mode

• Use an electronic parking brake scan tool to retract the rear EPB motors.
• Follow the scan tool menu for Service Mode or Brake Pad Replacement.
• Wait until the scan tool confirms the rear parking brake is fully retracted.

Step 2: Lift and secure the vehicle

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear of the vehicle.
• Support it with jack stands under the proper rear lift points.
• Remove the rear wheels with a 21mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper

• Use a 13mm socket to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a bungee cord or mechanic’s hook.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove the old brake pads and hardware

• Pull the old brake pads out of the bracket by hand.
• Remove the pad clips and hardware.
• Use a wire brush to clean the pad lands on the caliper bracket.

Step 5: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to push the piston back in slowly and evenly.
• If the piston does not move smoothly, stop and recheck that the EPB is fully in service mode.
• Push straight in. Do not force it.

Step 6: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips from the brake hardware kit.
• Apply a small amount of brake grease to the contact points where the pads touch the clips.
• Install the new rear brake pads in the same position as the old ones.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Set the caliper back over the new pads.
• Use the 13mm socket to reinstall the guide pin bolts.
• Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and snug the lug nuts by hand.
• Lower the vehicle and use a 21mm socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Exit service mode

• Use the electronic parking brake scan tool to exit service mode and restore normal operation.
• Confirm the EPB applies and releases correctly.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before driving to seat the pads against the rotors.
• Check brake fluid level in the reservoir.
• Test the parking brake on a safe, level area.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking sounds during the first 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-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $210-$340 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.