🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, swing the rear calipers out of the way, replace the pads (and hardware if included), then compress the caliper pistons so everything fits back together. The only “gotcha” on your Grand Cherokee is the parking brake type—some have an electronic parking brake (EPB) that must be put into service mode before pushing pistons in.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the SUV with jack stands before working under it.
• 🔥 Brakes get extremely hot; let them cool fully first.
• 🧪 Brake fluid damages paint; keep brake cleaner and rags handy.
• 🚫 Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• 🅿️ If you have electronic parking brake (EPB), retract it in service mode before compressing pistons.

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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
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 1/2" drive (20-200 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set 3/8" drive (metric)
• 21mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Ratchet 3/8" drive
• Open-end wrench set (metric)
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp 6"
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• Small bungee cord
• Brake piston press plate (specialty)
• OBD scan tool with 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 - Qty: 1 Recommended if clips are rusty
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 quart Only if topping off

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level; if it’s near “MAX,” remove a little with a clean syringe/turkey baster before compressing pistons.
• Confirm your parking brake type:
• 🅿️ If you have a console switch (EPB), you should use a scan tool to command Rear Park Brake Service Mode before pushing pistons in.
• 🅿️ If you have a foot-operated parking brake pedal, no scan tool service mode is needed.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen rear wheel lug nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar 1/2" to loosen the rear lug nuts about 1 turn.

Step 2: Lift and support the rear

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear at the approved lift point.
• Place jack stands under the rear support points and lower onto the stands.
• Shake the SUV lightly to confirm it’s stable.

Step 3: Remove the rear wheels

• Remove lug nuts using a 21mm socket and ratchet 3/8" drive.
• Set wheels aside.

Step 4: If equipped, retract the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)

• If you have an EPB switch, connect your OBD scan tool with EPB service function (specialty).
• Run the scan tool function to retract/release the rear parking brake for service. This prevents actuator damage

Step 5: Remove the rear caliper (guide pin bolts)

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed for rear; position yourself for access.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• If the guide pin spins, hold it with a metric open-end wrench while removing the bolt.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a caliper hanger hook or small bungee cord (do not let it hang by the hose).

Step 6: Remove old pads and hardware

• Remove the inner and outer pads by hand; use a flathead screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• Remove the pad abutment clips (hardware) from the bracket.

Step 7: Clean and prep the bracket

• Use brake cleaner to wash dust off the bracket and pad channels.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust where the clips sit until smooth.
• Install new hardware clips (if included with your pad set).

Step 8: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Place an old pad against the piston face.
• Use a C-clamp 6" with a brake piston press plate (specialty) to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing; stop if it’s close to overflowing.

Step 9: Lubricate and install the new pads

• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper grease (silicone) to pad ears where they slide in the hardware clips.
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.
• Keep grease off pad friction surfaces

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the guide pin bolts using a 13mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Step 11: Reinstall wheels

• Put the wheels back on and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the SUV off the stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a 21mm socket and torque wrench 1/2" drive.
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs)

Step 12: If equipped, exit EPB service mode

• Use the OBD scan tool with EPB service function (specialty) to exit service mode and re-apply/initialize the EPB.

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine off, pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid only if needed.
• Start the SUV and do a careful test in a safe area at low speed.
• Perform pad bedding (break-in): 6-10 smooth stops from 30 mph to 5 mph, with 30-60 seconds between stops to cool.
• Verify the EPB holds the SUV and releases normally.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $300-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$200 (parts only)

You Save: $240-$450 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 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.