🔧 Encore - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads restores safe stopping power and prevents rotor damage when pads get thin. On your Encore, the rear caliper piston must be turned (screwed) back in, not just pushed in, because of the rear parking-brake mechanism.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the rear with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Chock the front wheels and keep the transmission in P; release the parking brake before starting.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful—wear a dust mask and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose; support it with a hanger hook.
• ⚠️ If brake fluid is near the MAX line, it may overflow when compressing pistons—monitor the reservoir.

---

🔧 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
• 21mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 7mm hex bit socket
• 15mm wrench
• Rear disc brake piston wind-back tool kit (specialty)
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Brake parts cleaner spray
• Wire brush
• Hanger hook
• Small bungee cord
• Disposable gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask
• Shop rags

---

🔩 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
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 quart

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the engine off, and set the steering straight.
• Chock both front wheels using wheel chocks.
• Release the parking brake fully (rear calipers won’t retract correctly if it’s applied).
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; leave the cap loosened (not removed) so fluid can move.
• Take a quick photo of pad orientation.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen (do not remove) the lug nuts about 1/2 turn while the wheel is on the ground.

Step 2: Raise and support the rear

• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the rear support points and lower the vehicle onto them.
• Give the vehicle a firm shake to confirm it’s stable.

Step 3: Remove the rear wheels

• Remove the lug nuts using a 21mm socket and take the wheels off.

Step 4: Locate the rear caliper and remove the slide pin bolts

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed—rear access is straight on.
• Use a 7mm hex bit socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts (upper and lower) from the back of the caliper.
• If the slide pin tries to spin, hold it with a 15mm wrench while you loosen the bolt.

Step 5: Lift off the caliper and support it

• Carefully lift the caliper off the bracket. If it’s stuck, gently pry with a flat blade screwdriver.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension spring using a hanger hook or small bungee cord.
• Never let it hang by the hose.

Step 6: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer pads out of the bracket by hand.
• Remove the stainless pad clips (hardware) using a flat blade screwdriver.
• Spray the bracket contact areas with brake parts cleaner spray, then scrub with a wire brush and wipe with shop rags.

Step 7: Retract the rear caliper piston (turn it in)

• Install the correct adapter on the rear disc brake piston wind-back tool kit (specialty). This tool pushes while turning the piston.
• Turn the piston clockwise while applying inward pressure until it bottoms out and sits flush enough to fit the new thicker pads.
• Keep an eye on the brake fluid reservoir while doing this; remove a little fluid with a rag if it starts to overflow.
• Turn slowly to avoid boot damage.

Step 8: Lubricate slide pins and pad contact points

• Pull each slide pin out one at a time and wipe clean with shop rags.
• Apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) to the smooth part of the pins, then reinstall them.
• Apply a very thin film of the same grease where the pad “ears” touch the bracket (metal-to-metal only).
• Do not get grease on pad friction material.

Step 9: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new stainless hardware clips into the bracket by hand.
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper and tighten slide pin bolts

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the two slide pin bolts using a 7mm hex bit socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Final tighten using a torque wrench: Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall the wheels and hand-thread the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten in a star pattern using a torque wrench: Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Pump the brake pedal to seat the pads

• With the engine off, press the brake pedal slowly 10–15 times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and verify the brake pedal stays firm.
• Test at low speed first: confirm normal braking and no pulling or grinding noises.
• Perform a gentle bed-in: 6–10 moderate stops from 30–5 mph, allowing 30 seconds between stops (avoid hard panic stops for the first 150 miles).
• Recheck the brake fluid level after the first short drive.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $50-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $200-$310 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.

---

🎯 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.