🔧 Sonata - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Rear brake pads wear down over time and need replacement to keep braking safe and quiet. On your Sonata, the rear caliper piston must be pushed back to make room for the thicker new pads, and (if equipped) the electronic parking brake must be put into service mode first.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep the car fully OFF (not in READY) and keep the key fob away from the car to prevent systems waking up.
• ⚠️ If your Sonata has an electronic parking brake (EPB) button, do not force the rear caliper piston in without EPB service mode.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Avoid breathing brake dust; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.

---

🔧 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
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs range)
• 21mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8" or 1/2")
• Flat trim tool
• C-clamp (6")
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Wire hook or bungee cord
• Brake parts cleaner

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake pad hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Silicone brake lubricant - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the shifter in Park, and chock the front wheels.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn using a 21mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• If you have an EPB button on the console: you must retract the EPB using a scan tool’s EPB “pad replacement/maintenance mode” before pushing the piston back.

Quick check (1 question): Do you have an EPB button (electronic parking brake) or a foot pedal/hand lever parking brake?

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Place wheel chocks at the front tires.
• Lift the rear at the approved rear jacking point using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Set the car down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the rear wheels using a 21mm socket and ratchet.

Step 2: If equipped, retract the EPB (electronic parking brake)

• If your Sonata has an EPB button, use a Brake caliper compression tool (specialty) only after the EPB is retracted.
• Use an EPB-capable scan tool and select EPB pad replacement mode (this commands the rear actuators to retract).
• If you don’t have EPB service mode, stop here.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper

• Turn the steering wheel straight and locate the rear caliper on one side.
• Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and ratchet.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a wire hook or bungee cord so it doesn’t hang by the brake hose.

Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the old pads out of the bracket by hand. If tight, gently pry using a flat trim tool.
• Remove the pad clips/hardware from the bracket using a flat trim tool.
• Spray the bracket pad lands (where clips sit) with brake parts cleaner and wipe clean.

Step 5: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Position the old inner pad against the piston face.
• Slowly push the piston back using a C-clamp (6") or Brake caliper compression tool (specialty).
• Go slowly so you don’t overflow the brake fluid reservoir.

Step 6: Service the slide pins and install new hardware

• Pull the caliper slide pins out one at a time (they slide out by hand; twist if needed).
• Wipe them clean, then apply a thin coat of Silicone brake lubricant.
• Reinstall the slide pins fully by hand.
• Install the new pad clips/hardware onto the bracket using a flat trim tool to seat them.

Step 7: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Install the new pads into the bracket by hand (they should slide smoothly).
• Place the caliper back over the pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and ratchet, then Torque to 25-30 Nm (18-22 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench.

Step 8: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 3–7 on the other side.
• Do both sides so braking stays even.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels

• Reinstall both rear wheels and hand-thread the lug nuts.
• Lower the car off the stands using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a 21mm socket and torque wrench, then Torque to 88-108 Nm (65-80 ft-lbs).

---

✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal 10–15 times with the car OFF until it feels firm (this seats the pads against the rotors).
• If equipped with EPB: use the scan tool to exit EPB maintenance mode, then apply/release EPB to confirm normal operation.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed (use the correct DOT fluid listed on the reservoir cap).
• Road test at low speed first; confirm no grinding, pulling, or warning lights.
• Bed-in pads with several gentle stops (avoid hard braking for the first 150-200 miles).

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $280-$550 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$160 (parts only)

You Save: $120-$490 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 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.