🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads on your Grand Cherokee. The rear caliper squeezes the pads against the rotor to stop the vehicle, so worn pads should be replaced before they damage the rotors.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool brake system. Hot brakes can burn you.
• ⚠️ Support your Grand Cherokee with jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Do one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.
• ⚠️ Do not let the brake caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.
• ⚠️ Your Grand Cherokee uses a separate parking brake system inside the rear rotor, so no electronic parking brake service mode is required for pad replacement.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the caliper is removed.

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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 wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Flathead screwdriver
• Small wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• 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 spray - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground.
• Place the transmission in Park.
• Release the parking brake before lifting the rear wheels.
• Put wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If it is very full, remove a small amount with a clean syringe before compressing the calipers.
• A brake caliper compression tool pushes the caliper piston back into the caliper so the thicker new pads will fit.

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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 lug nuts about 1/2 turn.
• Do this while the tires are still on the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear of your Grand Cherokee at the proper rear lift point.
• Place jack stands under solid rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Lightly shake the vehicle to confirm it is stable before working near the wheels.

Step 3: 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 and set them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Locate the Rear Brake Caliper

• The brake caliper is the metal clamp around the brake rotor.
• Look at the back side of the caliper and find the two caliper guide pin bolts.
• The guide pins let the caliper slide evenly as the brakes apply.

Step 5: Remove the Caliper Guide Pin Bolts

• Use a 13mm socket to loosen the upper and lower caliper guide pin bolts.
• If the guide pin spins, hold the flat section with a 15mm wrench while turning the bolt with the 13mm socket.
• Remove both guide pin bolts and set them aside.

Step 6: Lift the Caliper Off the Pads

• Use a flathead screwdriver gently between the caliper and outer pad to create a little space.
• Slide the caliper off the brake pads.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension using a brake caliper hanger hook.
• Never hang it by the hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Pull the inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• If they are stuck, use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry them free.
• Note the position of any wear indicator tab before removing the pads.

Step 8: Remove and Clean the Pad Hardware

• Remove the old stainless pad clips from the caliper bracket by hand or with a flathead screwdriver.
• Use a small wire brush to clean the bracket where the clips sit.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner spray and wipe it with shop towels.
• Clean brackets help prevent noise.

Step 9: Install New Pad Hardware

• Install the new clips from the rear brake pad hardware kit into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin coat of brake lubricant to the pad contact points on the clips.
• Do not get lubricant on the rotor face or pad friction material.

Step 10: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use the brake caliper compression tool to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston so it does not overflow.
• If fluid rises too high, remove a small amount with a clean syringe or absorb it carefully with shop towels.

Step 11: Install the New Brake Pads

• Slide the new inner and outer rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads sit squarely in the new hardware clips.
• The friction material should face the rotor.
• Pads should slide, not jam.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper

• Remove the caliper from the brake caliper hanger hook.
• Slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both caliper guide pin bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 13mm socket and 15mm wrench if needed to tighten the guide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Move to the opposite rear wheel.
• Use the same 13mm socket, 15mm wrench, flathead screwdriver, and brake caliper compression tool.
• Repeat the same pad replacement steps.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each rear wheel back onto the hub.
• Thread the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 22mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 15: Lower and Torque the Wheels

• Use the floor jack to lift slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Grand Cherokee until the tires touch the ground.
• Use a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench with the 22mm lug nut socket.
• Torque wheel lug nuts to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs) in a star pattern.

Step 16: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before driving, press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back out against the new pads.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed with the correct brake fluid listed on the reservoir cap.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Grand Cherokee and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm, not spongy.
• ✅ Check behind both rear wheels for brake fluid leaks.
• ✅ Recheck that the lug nuts are torqued to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).
• ✅ Perform a slow test drive in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with several gentle stops from about 30 mph, allowing time to cool between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$380 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$110 (parts only)

You Save: $175-$270 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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