🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads means removing the rear calipers, swapping the pads (and hardware), and making sure the caliper slides freely. Worn pads reduce braking performance and can damage the rotors if driven too long.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Work on level ground and support the SUV with jack stands before removing any wheels.
• 🧤 Brake dust is unhealthy; wear a mask and safety glasses, and use brake cleaner (don’t blow dust with compressed air).
• 🔥 Brakes can be hot; let everything cool before you start.
• ⛔ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• 🧯 Keep brake fluid off paint; wipe spills immediately.
• 🦶 Make sure the parking brake is fully released before starting.

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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 socket
• Breaker bar (1/2-inch drive)
• Torque wrench (1/2-inch drive, 20-150 ft-lbs range)
• 13mm socket
• 21mm socket
• Ratchet (1/2-inch drive)
• Short extension (1/2-inch drive)
• C-clamp (6-inch minimum)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• 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 (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (high-temp silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and release the parking brake.
• Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts 1 turn using a 22mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level; as you compress pistons, the level can rise. Remove a little fluid if near MAX.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Lift the rear at the proper rear jacking point using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the rear support points.
• Remove the rear wheels using a 22mm socket and ratchet (1/2-inch drive).

Step 2: Remove the rear caliper

• Locate the rear caliper guide/slide pin bolts (back side of caliper).
• Remove the two guide pin bolts using a 13mm socket, ratchet (1/2-inch drive), and short extension (1/2-inch drive).
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a bungee cord so the brake hose isn’t strained.

Step 3: Remove old pads and hardware

• Slide the old pads out of the bracket by hand; use a flat-blade screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• Remove the old pad clips/hardware from the bracket.
• Clean the bracket pad “rails” (where the clips sit) using brake cleaner spray and a wire brush.

Step 4: Compress the caliper piston

• Place one old pad against the piston face.
• Use a C-clamp (6-inch minimum) to slowly press the piston back into the caliper until it bottoms out.
• Go slowly and watch the brake fluid reservoir.

Step 5: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips (hardware) into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin film of brake caliper grease (high-temp silicone) where the pads contact the clips (metal-to-metal contact points only).
• Install the new pads into the bracket (match inner/outer pad positions as supplied).

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the caliper guide/slide pin bolts using a 13mm socket and ratchet (1/2-inch drive).
• Tighten the guide/slide pin bolts with a torque wrench (1/2-inch drive, 20-150 ft-lbs range): Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 2 through 6 on the other side.
• Do both rear pads as a pair.

Step 8: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall the wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the SUV to the ground using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench (1/2-inch drive, 20-150 ft-lbs range): Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons against the new pads).
• Recheck brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test brakes at low speed first; confirm no pulling, grinding, or warning lights.
• Bed-in the pads: make 6-10 moderate stops from ~30 mph to ~5 mph, allowing 30-60 seconds between stops.
• Recheck for leaks and recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $110-$390 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.8 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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