🔧 Forte - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Forte means removing the rear calipers, swapping the pads (and hardware if equipped), and correctly resetting the caliper piston so everything fits and moves freely. This is important for safe stopping, even pad wear, and avoiding brake noise.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the car on jack stands; never rely on a jack.
• ⚠️ Chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Parking brake must be fully released before caliper removal.

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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
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Torque wrench (10-200 Nm range)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Bungee cord
• Brake piston compressor tool
• Disc brake caliper wind-back tool set (specialty)
• Wire brush
• 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 kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant (silicone or synthetic caliper grease) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and fully release the parking brake.
• Chock both front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Loosen rear lug nuts 1/2 turn using a 21mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level in the reservoir; it may rise when you retract pistons.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Lift the rear using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the approved rear lift point.
• Set the car down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) and confirm it’s stable.
• Remove the rear wheels using a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Locate the rear caliper and check the piston type

• Find the caliper on the rear rotor; the pads sit inside the caliper bracket.
• Look at the caliper piston face: if you see two notches/slots, it usually must be turned while pushing.
• Wind-back tool means “turn and push” piston tool.

Step 3: Remove the caliper (slider bolts)

• Remove the lower and upper caliper slider bolts using a 14mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket. If it’s stuck, gently pry with a flathead screwdriver.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord so there is no strain on the brake hose.

Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware

• Slide the old pads out of the bracket by hand.
• Remove pad clips/hardware using a flathead screwdriver and/or needle-nose pliers.
• Clean the bracket pad “rails” with brake cleaner and a wire brush.

Step 5: Retract the caliper piston (choose the correct method)

• Method A (push-in piston): Use a brake piston compressor tool to slowly push the piston straight in.
• Method B (turn-and-push piston): Use a disc brake caliper wind-back tool set (specialty) to rotate and press the piston in at the same time.
• Go slowly and watch the brake fluid reservoir so it doesn’t overflow.

Step 6: Install new hardware and pads

• Install new pad clips/hardware onto the bracket (if your kit includes it).
• Apply a thin film of brake lubricant (silicone or synthetic caliper grease) where the pad ears contact the clips.
• Install the new pads into the bracket, matching inner/outer pad positions (some inner pads have a wear indicator).
• Grease goes on metal contact points, not pad friction.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slider bolts by hand first, then tighten using a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs) for rear caliper slider bolts.

Step 8: If you removed the caliper bracket (only if needed)

• If you removed the bracket for any reason, reinstall the bracket bolts using a 17mm socket and breaker bar (1/2").
• Torque to 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs) for rear caliper bracket bolts.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and set lug torque

• Reinstall the wheels and snug lug nuts using a 21mm socket.
• Lower the car off the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench: Torque to 90 Nm (66 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Seat the pads before moving the car

• Press the brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until it feels firm.
• Confirm the brake fluid level is between MIN and MAX.

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine running, hold the brake and shift into R and D to confirm normal pedal feel before driving.
• Test the parking brake function and ensure it fully releases.
• Do a cautious road test and listen for grinding/squealing.
• Bed-in (break-in) the pads: do 6-8 gentle stops from 30–40 mph, allowing a little cooling time between stops.

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💰 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.

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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.