🔧 GX460 - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, swing the rear calipers up, swap the pads and hardware, then compress the caliper piston so everything fits back together. This restores safe braking and prevents metal-to-metal damage if pads are worn low.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and support the GX460 with jack stands before going under it.
• ⚠️ Keep the parking brake fully released (the GX460 uses a drum-in-hat parking brake inside the rear rotor).
• ⚠️ Do not breathe brake dust; use brake cleaner and let parts dry.
• ⚠️ Never let the caliper hang by the brake hose—support it with a hanger.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can overflow when compressing pistons; keep rags handy and wipe spills immediately.

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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)
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 17mm socket
• 14mm socket
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord or mechanics wire
• Brake cleaner
• 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/clip kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone brake grease) - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and make sure the parking brake is released.
• Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting using a 21mm socket and breaker bar.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir so you can monitor the fluid level during piston compression.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the rear

• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at a safe rear lift point.
• Set the frame onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) and gently lower the jack so the GX460 sits securely.

Step 2: Remove the rear wheels

• Remove lug nuts with a 21mm socket and 1/2" drive breaker bar, then remove both rear wheels.
• During reassembly, install lug nuts by hand first, then Torque to 131 Nm (97 ft-lbs) using a 1/2" drive torque wrench (30-200 ft-lbs).

Step 3: Access the rear caliper and pads

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed; you’ll be working at the rear.
• Inspect the caliper, rotor, and brake hose for leaks or cracks using safety glasses.

Step 4: Remove the caliper slide pin bolts

• Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Carefully lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension with a bungee cord or mechanics wire.
• During reassembly, install slide pin bolts and Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs) using a 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the pads out of the bracket by hand. Use a flat blade screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• Remove the stainless pad clips (hardware) from the bracket.
• Clean the bracket pad lands (where the pad ears sit) with brake cleaner and a wire brush, then let dry.
• Clean metal helps pads slide freely.

Step 6: Compress the caliper piston

• Check the brake fluid reservoir level under the hood (fluid may rise).
• Use a brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty) to slowly press the piston straight back into the caliper. (This tool squeezes the piston in evenly so new thicker pads will fit.)
• Go slowly and keep the piston straight to avoid damaging the boot.

Step 7: Install new pad hardware and pads

• Snap the new clips from the rear brake pad hardware/clip kit into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin film of brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone brake grease) where the pad ears contact the clips.
• Install the new pads into the bracket, making sure they move smoothly.
• Grease only metal-to-metal contact points.

Step 8: Reinstall caliper over the new pads

• Lower the caliper back over the pads by hand.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs) using a 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs).

Step 9: If the rotor must be removed (only if needed)

• If you need rotor removal for inspection/service, remove the caliper bracket bolts using a 17mm socket and 1/2" drive breaker bar.
• During reassembly, install bracket bolts and Torque to 123 Nm (91 ft-lbs) using a 1/2" drive torque wrench (30-200 ft-lbs).
• Most pad jobs don’t require rotor removal.

Step 10: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall both wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the GX460 off the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a 21mm socket and 1/2" drive torque wrench (30-200 ft-lbs).
• Torque to 131 Nm (97 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine off, slowly pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed (do not overfill).
• Do a low-speed test in a safe area: verify normal braking and no pulling or grinding.
• Bed-in the pads: make 5-8 moderate stops from ~30 mph to ~5 mph, then drive a few minutes to cool.
• Recheck for leaks and listen for abnormal noises after the first short drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $170-$590 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?

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.

Assumption: Torque specs listed reflect common GX460 rear brake fasteners; if your hardware differs, match the torque to the fastener size and service info.