🔧 Rear Brake Pads - Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads restores stopping performance and helps prevent rotor damage. On your F-150, this job involves removing the rear caliper, swapping the pads, and compressing the caliper piston before reassembly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Use jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Brake parts can be hot if the truck was recently driven.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Check brake fluid level before compressing the caliper piston; fluid may rise in the reservoir.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug wrench or socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Torque wrench
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• 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
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• Release the parking brake before removing the rear caliper and pads.
• Keep the key off and the transmission in Park.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the rear of the truck

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear axle or frame at a safe lift point.
• Place jack stands under both sides and lower the truck onto them.
• Remove both rear wheels with the 19mm lug wrench or socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use the 15mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or caliper hanger; do not let it hang by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer brake pads from the caliper bracket.
• Remove any pad clips or hardware from the bracket.
• Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to clean the pad contact points.

Step 4: Inspect and service the slide pins

• Pull the slide pins out of the bracket if needed.
• Clean them with brake cleaner and apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease.
• Make sure the boots are not torn and the pins move smoothly.

Step 5: Compress the caliper piston

• Use the brake caliper compression tool to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing.
• Go slow to avoid damaging seals.

Step 6: Install the new pads

• Install the new hardware clips from the brake hardware kit into the bracket.
• Place the new pads in the bracket in the same orientation as the originals.
• Make sure the pad friction material faces the rotor.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the caliper bolts with the 15mm socket.
• Torque to 33 Nm (24 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall wheels and lower the truck

• Install the rear wheels with the 19mm lug wrench or socket.
• Lower the truck with the floor jack and tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Restore pedal feel

• Before moving the truck, pump the brake pedal slowly several times with your foot.
• Continue until the pedal feels firm.
• Never drive without a firm pedal.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• Listen for rubbing or grinding noises.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops to let the new pads seat properly.

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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 1.5-2.0 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.