🔧 Regal - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads means removing the rear wheels, opening the rear calipers, swapping the pads (and hardware), then reassembling everything safely. On your Regal, the biggest “gotcha” is the parking brake system—some setups require putting the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) into service mode before you push the pistons back.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Work on a level surface and support the car with jack stands, not just a jack.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves; brake dust and cleaner are irritating.
• 🔥 Brakes can be very hot—let everything cool before starting.
• ⚠️ If equipped with Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), retract it with a scan tool before compressing the piston, or you can damage the caliper.
• 🔌 Battery disconnect is typically not required for pads, but keep the key away from the car so the parking brake can’t be applied accidentally.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (pair, rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20–200 Nm range)
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• Socket set (metric, 10mm–18mm)
• Torque wrench (3/8" drive, 5–60 Nm range)
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp brake piston compressor (or brake caliper compression tool)
• Bungee cord (or mechanics wire)
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaner
• Small suction tool (hand pump) or turkey baster
• OBD2 scan tool with GM EPB service function (specialty)
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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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 (silicone-based) - Qty: 1
• Medium-strength threadlocker (blue) - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the transmission to P, and place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake fully (parking brake light off).
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; you’ll monitor the level when pushing pistons back.
• Assumption: This procedure covers both EPB and non-EPB; follow the EPB steps if your Regal has an electronic parking brake switch.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen lug nuts and raise the rear

• Use a 19mm socket with a breaker bar to loosen the rear lug nuts 1/2 turn while the tires are on the ground.
• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear at the proper rear lift point.
• Place jack stands (pair, rated 3-ton minimum) under solid support points and lower the car onto them.

Step 2: Remove rear wheels

• Remove the lug nuts with a 19mm socket and take both rear wheels off.
• Slide the wheels under the car as an extra safety backup.

Step 3: If equipped, retract the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)

• If your Regal has an EPB switch, connect your OBD2 scan tool with GM EPB service function (specialty).
• Use the scan tool menu to command EPB Service Mode / Rear Brake Pad Service / Retract (wording varies by tool).
• A “scan tool” is a device that plugs into the OBD port and can command car modules to move components like the EPB motors.
• Tip: Keep the key away to prevent EPB activation.

Step 4: Remove the caliper (do not hang it by the hose)

• Locate the two rear caliper guide/slide bolts on the back of the caliper.
• Use your ratchet (3/8" drive) and metric sockets (10mm–18mm) (size varies by brake package) to remove the two guide/slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it using a bungee cord (or mechanics wire).
• Do not let the caliper hang from the rubber brake hose.

Step 5: Remove old pads and hardware

• Remove the inner and outer pads from the bracket by hand; use a flathead screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• Remove the stainless hardware clips from the bracket.
• Clean the bracket pad “shelves” (where the clips sit) using a wire brush and brake parts cleaner.

Step 6: Compress the caliper piston

• Check the brake fluid reservoir level under the hood; if it’s near MAX, remove a little using a small suction tool (hand pump) or turkey baster.
• Place the old inner pad against the piston face, then use a C-clamp brake piston compressor to slowly push the piston fully back.
• If it will not compress smoothly, stop—this can indicate EPB not retracted (if equipped) or a seized caliper.

Step 7: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new bracket hardware clips from the rear brake pad hardware kit.
• Apply a thin film of brake caliper grease (silicone-based) to the clip contact areas where the pad “ears” slide.
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.
• Do not get grease on pad friction material or the rotor face; clean with brake parts cleaner if you do.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper and torque fasteners

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Reinstall the caliper guide/slide bolts using a ratchet (3/8" drive) and the correct metric socket.
• If specified by the pad/hardware kit, apply a small amount of medium-strength threadlocker (blue) to clean bolt threads.
• Torque to OEM specification for your exact rear brake package using a torque wrench.
• Tip: Tighten by hand first to avoid cross-threading.

Step 9: Repeat on the other rear side

• Perform the same pad and hardware replacement on the other rear wheel.

Step 10: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the car off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern with a 1/2" drive torque wrench: Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Exit EPB service mode (if equipped)

• Use the OBD2 scan tool with GM EPB service function (specialty) to command EPB Close / Apply / End Service Mode.

Step 12: Restore pedal feel

• With the engine OFF, pump the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm.
• Recheck brake fluid level and top off only if needed.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and confirm the brake pedal remains firm.
• Test the parking brake function in a safe area (apply/release).
• Do a slow test drive and verify no grinding, pulling, or warning lights.
• Perform a gentle pad bed-in: 6–10 moderate stops from 30–40 mph with cool-down time between stops.
• If any ABS/EPB light stays on, recheck EPB service mode steps and scan for codes with the scan tool.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $60-$160 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$290 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3.0 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.