🔧 Tucson - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads on your Tucson. Rear brake pads wear down over time and should be replaced before the friction material gets too thin and damages the rotors.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands before putting any part of your body near the wheels or brakes.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can irritate your lungs; do not blow it off with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Brake parts may be hot if the Tucson was recently driven.
• ⚠️ Rear brake pads should be replaced as a pair, meaning both left and right rear sides.
• ⚠️ 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
• 21mm lug nut socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 14mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lb range)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Bungee cord

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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 lubricant - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Tucson on level ground and shift the transmission into Park.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels so the vehicle cannot roll.
• 🛑 Release the parking brake before removing the rear caliper. The parking brake uses the rear brakes and can hold the caliper tight.
• 🧤 Put on safety glasses and gloves before spraying brake cleaner or handling brake parts.
• 📌 A caliper is the brake clamp that squeezes the pads against the rotor.
• 📌 A rotor is the round metal disc behind the wheel.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Loosen only, do not remove yet.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear of the Tucson

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of your Tucson at the rear center jacking point or one rear pinch weld at a time.
• Place jack stands under the proper rear support points.
• Slowly lower the Tucson onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to make sure it is stable before removing the wheels.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Inspect the Rear Brake Setup

• Look at the rear caliper, pads, rotor, and brake hose before taking anything apart.
• Use brake cleaner spray and shop towels to clean loose dust from the caliper area.
• Do not spray brake cleaner on painted body panels.

Step 5: Remove the Lower Caliper Bolt

• Use a 17mm wrench to hold the caliper slide pin if it starts spinning.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the lower rear caliper bolt.
• A slide pin is a smooth pin that lets the caliper move in and out as the brakes apply.

Step 6: Swing the Caliper Up

• Use the flathead screwdriver gently between the caliper and pad if the caliper is tight.
• Rotate the caliper upward away from the brake pads.
• Use a bungee cord to support the caliper so it does not hang by the rubber brake hose.
• Do not kink, stretch, or twist the brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Slide the old inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• If they are stuck, use the flathead screwdriver to gently pry them out.
• Notice how the wear indicator tab is positioned before removing the pads.
• A wear indicator is a small metal tab that squeals when the pad gets too thin.

Step 8: Remove and Replace the Pad Hardware

• Use the flathead screwdriver to pop the old metal pad clips out of the caliper bracket.
• Use brake cleaner spray and shop towels to clean the clip contact areas.
• Install the new clips from the rear brake pad hardware kit by pressing them into place by hand.
• Pad clips are thin metal guides that help the pads slide smoothly.

Step 9: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Check the brake fluid level under the hood before compressing the piston. If the reservoir is very full, remove a small amount with a clean shop towel at the opening.
• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use the brake caliper compression tool to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• A piston is the round part inside the caliper that pushes the brake pad.
• Compress slowly so brake fluid does not overflow from the reservoir.

Step 10: Lubricate the Pad Contact Points

• Use brake lubricant on the ears of the new pads where they contact the metal clips.
• Use only a thin layer. Too much grease can attract dirt.
• Do not get lubricant on the pad friction material or rotor face.
• Clean mistakes immediately with brake cleaner.

Step 11: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new inner and outer rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads sit flat and move slightly in the clips without binding.
• Use the flathead screwdriver only for light alignment if needed.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and carefully swing the caliper back down over the new pads.
• If the caliper will not fit, use the brake caliper compression tool to compress the piston a little more.
• Install the lower caliper bolt by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 17mm wrench to hold the slide pin and the 14mm socket with torque wrench to tighten the caliper bolt to Torque to 22-32 Nm (16-24 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Use the same 14mm socket, 17mm wrench, flathead screwdriver, brake caliper compression tool, and torque wrench on the opposite rear brake.
• Always replace both rear sides during the same brake pad service.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Put each rear wheel back on by hand.
• Thread the lug nuts by hand first so they do not cross-thread.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 15: Lower the Tucson and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise the Tucson slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands, then lower the vehicle to the ground.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench to tighten the rear lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 88-107 Nm (65-79 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back out against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the pedal feels firm.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level and make sure it is between MIN and MAX on the reservoir.
• ✅ Start your Tucson and press the brake pedal again. It should stay firm and not sink to the floor.
• ✅ Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Listen for grinding, scraping, or clicking noises. Stop and recheck your work if you hear anything unusual.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with several gentle stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, allowing a short cooling period between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles unless needed for safety.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$380 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$95 (parts only)

You Save: $125-$335 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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