🔧 Sorento - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, retract the rear caliper pistons, swap the pads, and reassemble with correct torque. On your Sorento, the rear calipers may use an electronic parking brake (EPB), which must be put into “service mode” so the piston can retract safely.

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

Assumption: Your Sorento has rear disc brakes with EPB on the calipers (common on SX).

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the Sorento on jack stands before working under/around wheels.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor.
• ⚠️ If equipped with EPB, do not force the piston in with a clamp unless EPB is in service mode.
• ⚠️ Avoid breathing brake dust; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Keep grease off pad friction material and rotor surfaces.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required, but keep ignition OFF unless entering EPB service mode.

---

🔧 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
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10-200 Nm range)
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Flat trim/pry tool
• Bungee cord
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• EPB service tool / scan tool with EPB function (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaner spray
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Brake pad hardware/clip kit - Qty: 1
• Silicone brake lubricant - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, turn the engine off, and chock the front wheels using wheel chocks.
• 🅿️ Make sure the EPB is released before lifting the vehicle.
• 🧰 If you have an EPB scan tool: plan to put the EPB into service mode before pushing pistons back. (Service mode retracts the EPB motor.)
• 🛞 Slightly loosen rear lug nuts with a 21mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear at the proper rear jacking point.
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) at the rear support points.
• Remove the rear wheels using a 21mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.

Step 2: Put the EPB into service mode (if equipped)

• Use an EPB service tool / scan tool with EPB function (specialty) to command: “EPB Pad Replacement / EPB Maintenance Mode / EPB Retract.”
• Wait until the tool confirms the EPB motors are fully retracted.
• Service mode prevents EPB motor damage.

Step 3: Remove the caliper (not the bracket yet)

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed for the rear; just access the back of the caliper.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the two caliper slide/guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord (do not let it hang by the brake hose).

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer pads out of the bracket by hand; use a flat trim/pry tool if they’re stuck.
• Remove the stainless pad clips (hardware) from the bracket using a flat trim/pry tool.
• Clean the bracket pad “lands” (where clips sit) using a wire brush and brake parts cleaner spray.

Step 5: Retract the caliper piston

• Install the old inner pad against the piston face (this spreads force evenly).
• Use a brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston back until it’s fully seated.
• If the piston will not compress smoothly, stop and re-check that EPB service mode is active (do not force it).

Step 6: Lubricate and install new pad hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips from the hardware kit into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin film of silicone brake lubricant to:
  • The pad ears where they slide in the clips
  • The caliper bracket pad lands (very light)
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.
• Never grease the pad friction surface.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper and torque bolts

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Start the slide/guide pin bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket to tighten the slide/guide pin bolts.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs)

Step 8: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 3–7 on the opposite rear side so pads are replaced as an axle set.
• Always replace rear pads in pairs.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall both rear wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Sorento off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench.
• Torque to 90-110 Nm (66-81 ft-lbs)

Step 10: Exit EPB service mode (if used)

• Use the EPB service tool / scan tool with EPB function (specialty) to command: “EPB Close / EPB Apply/Release / End Maintenance Mode.”
• Confirm the EPB applies and releases normally.

---

✅ After Repair

• 🦶 With the vehicle on the ground, press the brake pedal firmly 10–15 times until it feels normal (this seats the pistons against the new pads).
• 🅿️ Apply and release the parking brake a few times to confirm proper operation.
• 👀 Check the brake fluid reservoir level (do not overfill).
• 🚗 Road test at low speed first. Listen for grinding; light pad rub is normal at first.
• 🛣️ Pad bedding (break-in): do 6–10 moderate stops from 30–40 mph, allowing a little cool-down between stops.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $40-$120 (parts only)

You Save: $130-$410 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.8 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.