🔧 Escape - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads on your Escape. The rear caliper must be moved out of the way, the old pads removed, and the caliper piston carefully retracted so the new pads fit.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground only and support your Escape with jack stands before putting any body part near the wheels.
• ⚠️ Do not rely on a floor jack alone. A floor jack lifts the vehicle; jack stands hold it safely.
• ⚠️ The rear parking brake must be fully released before removing the calipers.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Use brake cleaner, not compressed air, to clean parts.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this rear pad replacement.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 13mm socket
• 15mm open-end wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• Rear brake caliper piston wind-back tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Small wire brush
• Bungee cord
• Brake cleaner spray
• Nitrile 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
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Escape on level ground.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• 🔓 Release the parking brake completely.
• 🧤 Put on safety glasses and gloves.
• 📌 A caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.
• 📌 A wind-back tool turns and pushes the rear caliper piston back into the caliper at the same time.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of your Escape at a proper rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Give the vehicle a light push to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet or by hand to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Look at the caliper, pads, rotor, and rubber brake hose.
• Use brake cleaner spray to rinse dust away from the work area.
• Check that the brake hose is not cracked, leaking, or twisted.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper Bolts

• Use the 15mm open-end wrench to hold the caliper slide pin steady.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the upper and lower rear caliper guide pin bolts.
• Set the bolts aside in a clean spot.

Step 6: Lift Off and Support the Caliper

• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to gently wiggle the caliper loose if it is stuck.
• Lift the caliper off the pads and rotor.
• Use a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Pull the old inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to remove the old stainless pad clips from the bracket.
• Use the small wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the bracket.
• Spray the bracket with brake cleaner spray after brushing.

Step 8: Retract the Rear Caliper Piston

• Fit the rear brake caliper piston wind-back tool into the slots on the caliper piston.
• Turn the tool clockwise while applying steady inward pressure.
• Retract the piston until it sits fully inside the caliper bore.
• Make sure the piston boot does not twist or tear.
• Go slowly and keep the tool square.

Step 9: Install the New Brake Hardware

• Snap the new rear brake hardware kit clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin film of brake lubricant to the pad contact points on the clips.
• Do not get lubricant on the rotor or pad friction material.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new inner and outer rear brake pads into the bracket by hand.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.
• The pads should move smoothly in the clips without binding.

Step 11: Reinstall the Caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both guide pin bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 15mm open-end wrench to hold the slide pin.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the bolts.
• Use the torque wrench with the 13mm socket to tighten the caliper guide pin bolts to Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 11 on the other rear brake.
• Always replace rear brake pads in pairs so braking stays even.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each wheel back onto the hub by hand.
• Start all lug nuts by hand.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 14: Lower the Vehicle and Torque Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Escape until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 19mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly 5-8 times.
• The pedal should become firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Do not drive until pedal is firm.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir and make sure it is between MIN and MAX.
• ✅ Start your Escape and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm, not sink to the floor.
• ✅ Test the brakes at very low speed in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Bed in the pads with 8-10 gentle stops from about 30 mph to 10 mph, allowing cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive: Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $45-$110 (parts only)

You Save: $140-$340 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?

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