🔧 Tucson - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the rear disc brake pads on your Tucson. The rear brakes use an electronic parking brake, so the parking brake motors must be placed into service mode before removing the calipers.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Do not remove the rear calipers until the electronic parking brake is in service mode.
• ⚠️ Keep fingers clear of the parking brake actuator area; it can move with strong force.
• ⚠️ Support your Tucson with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle held only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the rear calipers are removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and use brake cleaner instead of compressed air.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not normally required, but keep the ignition off after EPB service mode is activated.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• OBD-II scan tool with electronic parking brake service mode (specialty)
• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 17mm open-end wrench
• Torque wrench 10-100 ft-lb range
• Disc brake piston compressor tool
• Flat trim tool
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

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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
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Tucson on level ground.
• Place the transmission in Park.
• Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Release the parking brake using the cabin switch before starting scan-tool service mode.
• Use an OBD-II scan tool with Hyundai electronic parking brake service mode. A scan tool is a small computer that plugs into the diagnostic port and commands vehicle systems safely.
• Select the scan tool path for Hyundai parking brake service mode. Common wording is Hyundai > Tucson > Parking Brake/EPB > Brake Pad Replacement Mode/Service Mode > Enter.
• Wait until the scan tool confirms the rear electronic parking brake is fully retracted.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Electronic Parking Brake in Service Mode

• Plug the OBD-II scan tool with electronic parking brake service mode into the diagnostic port under the driver side lower dash.
• Turn the ignition on, but do not start the engine.
• Use the scan tool menu: Hyundai > Tucson > Parking Brake/EPB > Brake Pad Replacement Mode/Service Mode > Enter.
• Listen for the rear parking brake motors to retract.
• Wait for the scan tool to confirm service mode is complete.
• Do not skip this step.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground.

Step 3: Raise and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack at the rear center lift point or the approved rear side pinch weld lift point.
• Place jack stands under the rear side pinch weld support points.
• Gently lower your Tucson onto the jack stands.
• Shake the vehicle lightly by hand to make sure it is stable.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper Lower Bolt

• The caliper is the clamp-shaped part that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.
• Use the 17mm open-end wrench to hold the caliper slide pin steady.
• Use the 14mm socket and ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive to remove the lower caliper bolt.
• If needed, remove the upper caliper bolt the same way for more room.

Step 6: Lift the Caliper Off the Pads

• Carefully lift the caliper away from the rotor.
• Use the brake caliper hanger hook to hang the caliper from the rear suspension spring or control arm.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Use the flat trim tool to gently pry the old pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the metal pad clips from the bracket by hand or with the flat trim tool.
• Compare the old pads to the new rear brake pad set to confirm the shape matches.

Step 8: Clean the Caliper Bracket

• Use the wire brush to clean rust and dirt from the pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Use brake cleaner spray to wash away dust and residue.
• Let the area dry fully before installing the new hardware.

Step 9: Install New Pad Hardware

• Install the new clips from the rear brake pad hardware kit into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the pad ears where they slide in the clips.
• Do not put lubricant on the pad friction material or rotor face.
• A tiny amount is enough.

Step 10: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• The piston is the round metal part inside the caliper that pushes the pad.
• Use the disc brake piston compressor tool to slowly press the piston straight back into the caliper.
• Because the electronic parking brake is already retracted, the piston should press in smoothly.
• Stop if the piston will not move; recheck EPB service mode before forcing it.

Step 11: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new rear brake pad set into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads move freely in the new clips.
• If a pad has a wear indicator tab, install it in the same position as the original pad.

Step 12: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads by hand.
• Use the 14mm socket and ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive to start the caliper bolts by hand first.
• Use the 17mm open-end wrench to hold the slide pin steady.
• Use the torque wrench 10-100 ft-lb range and 14mm socket to tighten the rear caliper guide pin bolts to Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 12 on the other rear wheel.
• Always replace rear brake pads in pairs.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each wheel back onto the hub.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet handle 3/8-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 15: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise your Tucson slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the torque wrench 10-100 ft-lb range and 21mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 107 Nm (79 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Exit Electronic Parking Brake Service Mode

• Turn the ignition on, but do not start the engine.
• Use the OBD-II scan tool with electronic parking brake service mode and select Hyundai > Tucson > Parking Brake/EPB > Brake Pad Replacement Mode/Service Mode > Exit/Close.
• Wait for the parking brake motors to apply and release as commanded by the scan tool.
• Turn the ignition off after the scan tool confirms completion.

Step 17: Pump the Brake Pedal

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

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Tucson and check that no brake or parking brake warning lights stay on.
• ✅ Apply and release the electronic parking brake twice using the cabin switch.
• ✅ Test the brakes at very low speed in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with 8-10 gentle stops from about 30 mph to 10 mph. Avoid hard braking unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive: Torque to 107 Nm (79 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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