🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This job replaces the rear brake pads on your Grand Cherokee. Because the rear brakes use an electronic parking brake, you must place the system into brake service mode before removing the rear calipers.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support your Grand Cherokee with jack stands before working under or around the wheels.
• ⚠️ Never rely on a floor jack alone. A floor jack lifts; jack stands safely hold the vehicle.
• ⚠️ Put the electronic parking brake into service mode before removing the rear calipers to avoid damaging the parking brake motors.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid damages paint. Wipe spills immediately with water and a clean rag.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses, gloves, and a dust mask. Brake dust should be cleaned with brake cleaner, not blown with compressed air.

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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
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 13mm socket
• 15mm wrench
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compression tool
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• High-temperature brake grease
• Turkey baster or fluid syringe
• 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
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground and shift to Park.
• 🛞 Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• 📱 Turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
• 📱 Use the Uconnect screen and select: Apps > Settings > Brakes > Brake Service.
• ✅ Follow the prompts until the cluster confirms brake service mode is active.
• 🧴 Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If the level is near MAX, use a turkey baster or fluid syringe to remove a small amount before pushing the pistons back.

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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 each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Keep the tires on the ground for this step so the wheels do not spin.
• Tip: Loosen only, do not remove.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the rear of your Grand Cherokee at the rear lift point.
• 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 to make sure it is stable before continuing.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Clean and Inspect the Brake Area

• Use brake cleaner spray to clean loose dust from the caliper and bracket.
• Look at the rubber brake hose and electronic parking brake motor wiring.
• Do not disconnect the brake hose or parking brake motor connector.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper Bolts

• Use a 13mm socket to loosen the upper and lower rear caliper slide bolts.
• Use a 15mm wrench to hold the slide pin if it spins. The slide pin is the smooth guide pin that lets the caliper move in and out.
• Remove both caliper slide bolts and set them aside.

Step 6: Remove and Support the Caliper

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently wiggle the caliper loose if it is stuck.
• Lift the caliper off the brake pads and bracket.
• Use a brake caliper hanger hook to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 7: Remove Old Pads and Clips

• Pull the old inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to carefully remove the old metal pad clips.
• Use a wire brush to clean the bracket surfaces where the clips sit.
• Tip: Clean clips prevent brake noise.

Step 8: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Confirm your Grand Cherokee is still in brake service mode.
• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use a brake caliper piston compression tool to slowly push the piston straight back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while doing this.
• If the fluid rises too close to the top, use a turkey baster or fluid syringe to remove a little fluid.

Step 9: Install New Brake Hardware

• Install the new rear brake pad hardware kit clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a wire brush if a clip does not sit flat.
• Apply a very thin layer of high-temperature brake grease to the pad contact points on the clips.
• Do not get grease on the rotor or pad friction material.

Step 10: Install the New Brake Pads

• Slide the new rear brake pad set into the caliper bracket.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.
• The pads should slide smoothly but should not rattle loosely.

Step 11: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads by hand.
• If it does not fit, use the brake caliper piston compression tool to push the piston in fully.
• Install the caliper slide bolts by hand first.
• Use the 13mm socket and 15mm wrench to tighten the bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat the same steps on the opposite rear wheel.
• Use the 13mm socket, 15mm wrench, flat-blade screwdriver, and brake caliper piston compression tool.
• Rear brake pads must be replaced as a left-and-right pair.

Step 13: Reinstall the Wheels

• Place both rear wheels back on the hubs.
• Start all lug nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 14: Lower 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 the vehicle until the tires touch the ground.
• Use a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 22mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Exit Brake Service Mode

• Turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Use the Uconnect screen: Apps > Settings > Brakes > Brake Service.
• Follow the prompts to exit brake service mode.
• Wait for the message confirming normal brake operation.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Press the brake pedal slowly 5-10 times until it feels firm.
• ✅ Check the brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• ✅ Start the engine and make sure no brake warning lights stay on.
• ✅ Test the electronic parking brake while parked.
• ✅ Drive slowly in a safe area and make several gentle stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles when possible.
• ✅ Recheck rear lug nut torque after 25-50 miles: Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $300-$500 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $180-$380 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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