🔧 Tucson - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, swing the rear calipers out of the way, swap the old pads for new ones, then compress the caliper pistons so everything fits back together. Doing it correctly matters because brakes are a safety system and mistakes can cause noise, poor braking, or fluid overflow.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support your Tucson on jack stands; never rely on a jack.
• 🧤 Brake dust is irritating—wear gloves and safety glasses; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• 🔥 Brakes can be very hot; let them cool before starting.
• ⛔ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• 🧪 Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing pistons—fluid can overflow.

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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
• Lug wrench or 21mm socket
• Ratchet
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Torque wrench (10–200 Nm range)
• Breaker bar
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp or brake caliper piston compressor
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Small wire pick
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop rags
• 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 pad hardware/clip kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3 or DOT 4) - Qty: 1 quart
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2 Optional if worn or pulsating

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park on level ground, shift to Park, and chock the front wheels.
• 🅿️ Release the parking brake before starting (rear calipers must move freely).
• 🧪 Open the hood and check the brake fluid level; if it’s near MAX, remove a little with a clean syringe/turkey baster.
• ❓Quick check: does your Tucson have an electronic parking brake button, or a mechanical pedal/hand lever? If it’s electronic, tell me before you start so I can add the correct “service mode” steps.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen lug nuts and raise the rear

• Use a lug wrench or 21mm socket to loosen the rear lug nuts 1/2 turn (do not remove yet).
• Lift the rear with a floor jack at the proper rear jacking point, then set it down on jack stands.
• Remove the rear wheels using the lug wrench or 21mm socket.

Step 2: Locate the caliper and remove the slide pin bolts

• Find the rear brake caliper (the “clamp” over the rotor).
• Use a 14mm socket to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts (upper and lower).
• Support the caliper with a bungee cord so it doesn’t hang by the brake hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the old inner and outer pads out by hand; use a flathead screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• Remove the stainless pad clips (hardware) from the bracket using a small wire pick or flathead screwdriver.
• Clean the bracket’s pad “rails” (where the clips sit) with brake cleaner spray and a wire brush.

Step 4: Compress the caliper piston

• Place the old inner pad against the piston face.
• Use a C-clamp or brake caliper piston compressor to slowly push the piston straight back into the caliper. (A piston compressor is a tool that presses the piston back evenly.)
• Keep an eye on the brake fluid reservoir while you compress; stop if it starts to overflow.

Step 5: Service the slide pins (important for even pad wear)

• Pull the caliper slide pins out (one at a time) by hand.
• Wipe them clean with shop rags, then apply a thin coat of brake caliper grease (silicone).
• Reinstall the pins and make sure they move smoothly.

Step 6: Install new hardware and pads

• Snap the new pad clips into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a very light film of brake caliper grease (silicone) on the pad ears where they touch the clips. Keep grease off pad friction.
• Install the new pads into the bracket (inner and outer).

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Swing the caliper back over the new pads by hand.
• Install the caliper slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Repeat on the other rear side

• Repeat Steps 2–7 on the opposite rear wheel.
• Replace pads in pairs (both rear wheels) to keep braking balanced.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall both wheels and hand-thread the lug nuts.
• Lower the Tucson off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench: Torque to 90–110 Nm (65–81 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 with DOT 3 or DOT 4 if needed.
• 👂 Do a slow test drive and confirm no grinding, pulling, or brake warning lights.
• 🛣️ Pad bed-in (break-in): make 6–8 gentle stops from ~30 mph to 5 mph, with cool-down driving between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $300-$550 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$180 (parts only)

You Save: $240-$370 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?

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.