🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Pad Replacement

Your rear pads wear down over time and should be replaced in pairs to keep braking even. This job on your truck is straightforward if you have a safe way to lift and support the vehicle, plus a way to compress the caliper piston before reassembly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Support the truck with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Let the brakes cool before starting if the truck was recently driven.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Your truck uses a rear drum-in-hat parking brake inside the rotor, so make sure the parking brake is fully released before removing the rotors.
• Use brake cleaner only in a well-ventilated area.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for truck weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 18mm socket
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Torque wrench
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• 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
• Brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the transmission to Park.
• Release the parking brake fully before removing the rear wheels.
• Chock the front wheels.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear of the truck

• Use the floor jack to raise the rear of the truck at the approved lift point.
• Place jack stands under the frame and lower the truck onto them.
• Remove the rear wheels with the 21mm lug socket.

Step 2: Remove the brake caliper

• Use the 18mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with wire or rest it carefully so the brake hose is not stretched.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Slide the old inner and outer pads out of the bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and hardware from the bracket.
• Use the wire brush and brake cleaner to clean the bracket contact points.

Step 4: Compress the caliper piston

• Use the brake caliper piston compressor tool to push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Compress it slowly and evenly.
• Watch the brake fluid level.

Step 5: Install the new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips from the brake pad hardware kit.
• Apply a thin coat of brake grease to the pad contact points and clip contact areas.
• Install the new inner and outer pads in the bracket.

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper back over the new pads.
• Use the 18mm socket to reinstall the guide pin bolts.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the wheels

• Put the wheels back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the truck to the ground.
• Use the 21mm lug socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Seat the brake pads

• Before moving the truck, press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.

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✅ After Repair

• Confirm the brake pedal is firm before driving.
• Listen for unusual scraping or clicking noises.
• Check both rear wheels for even braking and no fluid leaks.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops unless needed for safety.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

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

You Save: $190-$310 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.