🔧 Explorer - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

You’ll be removing the rear wheels, swinging the rear calipers out of the way, and swapping in new rear brake pads. On your Explorer, the rear brakes may be tied to the electronic parking brake (EPB), so you must put the EPB into maintenance/service mode before pushing the caliper pistons back.

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

Assumption: Your Explorer has rear EPB; steps include EPB service mode.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the Explorer with jack stands before working under/around the wheels.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a rear caliper removed; the piston can pop out and leak.
• ⚠️ EPB caution: Put the EPB in maintenance/service mode before compressing pistons.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Watch brake fluid level; compressing pistons can overflow the reservoir.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required, but keep the key fob away from the vehicle so the EPB can’t auto-apply.

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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
• 21mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (30-200 ft-lbs range)
• 13mm socket
• 15mm wrench
• Flat trim tool
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Disc brake piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• 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 pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Release the parking brake (EPB OFF) before lifting.
• Pop the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level; if it’s near “MAX,” remove a little with a clean towel so it won’t overflow.
• Have your new pads and hardware ready; only open the pad box when you’re ready to install.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen lug nuts and lift the rear

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear lug nuts about 1/2 turn (don’t remove yet).
• Use a floor jack to lift the rear at the approved rear lift point.
• Set the vehicle down onto jack stands and confirm it’s stable before removing wheels.

Step 2: Remove rear wheels

• Use a 21mm socket to remove lug nuts and remove both rear wheels.
• Place wheels under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 3: Put the EPB in maintenance/service mode

• This retracts the EPB so the caliper piston can be pushed back safely. EPB service mode is a “maintenance position” for the parking brake motors.
• Method A (no scan tool, common Ford procedure):
• Turn ignition to ON (engine OFF).
• Press and hold the brake pedal.
• While holding the brake pedal, press and hold the EPB switch to the RELEASE (down) position.
• Continue holding, then cycle ignition OFF then ON (engine still OFF).
• Watch for a message like “Maintenance Mode” or a change in EPB indicator behavior.
• Method B (with scan tool):
• Use a scan tool capable of Ford EPB functions to run the EPB Maintenance Mode / Rear Brake Service Mode command.

Step 4: Remove the caliper from the bracket

• Turn the steering knuckle is not applicable at the rear; access from behind the caliper.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the two caliper slide bolts while holding the slide pin flats with a 15mm wrench.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it using a brake caliper hanger hook.
• Never let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 5: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer pads out by hand. If tight, use a flat trim tool to gently pry.
• Remove the stainless pad clips (hardware) from the bracket with the flat trim tool.
• Spray the bracket pad lands with brake cleaner spray and wipe with shop towels until clean and smooth.

Step 6: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Use a disc brake piston compressor tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston straight back into the caliper.
• Go slowly and check the brake fluid reservoir level as you compress.
• If the piston won’t move, stop and re-check that EPB maintenance/service mode is active.

Step 7: Install new pad hardware and pads

• Install the new stainless hardware clips onto the bracket by hand (they snap into place).
• Apply a thin film of brake caliper grease (silicone) where the pad “ears” touch the hardware clips.
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.
• Keep grease off pad friction material.

Step 8: Reinstall caliper and torque bolts

• Set the caliper back over the new pads.
• Start the slide bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 13mm socket and 15mm wrench to tighten slide bolts.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall both rear wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts.
• Lower the Explorer off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Use a torque wrench with a 21mm socket to torque lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs)

Step 10: Exit EPB maintenance/service mode

• Method A (no scan tool): Repeat the same switch/brake/ignition sequence used to enter service mode until the message/indicator returns to normal.
• Method B (scan tool): Run EPB Close / Exit Maintenance Mode.
• Apply and release the EPB once to confirm normal operation.

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine OFF, pump the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pads).
• Start the engine and confirm the pedal stays firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Do a careful test drive: low speed first, then normal braking.
• Pad bed-in (break-in): make 6–10 smooth stops from ~30 mph to ~5 mph, letting brakes cool a bit between stops.
• Listen for grinding, pulling, or burning smell; stop and recheck work if anything feels wrong.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $300-$550 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$180 (parts only)

You Save: $120-$430 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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