🔧 Compass - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Compass means removing the rear calipers, swapping the pads and hardware, then correctly resetting the caliper pistons so the brakes don’t drag or feel spongy. The key difference on this job is whether your Compass has an electronic parking brake (EPB) or a manual parking brake, because EPB calipers must be put into service mode before compressing.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the Compass with jack stands on solid ground; never rely on the jack alone.
• 🛑 Brakes create dust—use brake cleaner, don’t blow dust with compressed air.
• 🛑 If equipped with EPB, do not force the piston in without EPB service mode or you can damage the caliper.
• 🛑 Keep brake grease off pad friction surfaces and rotors.

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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
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 19mm socket
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs)
• Ratchet (3/8")
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper wind-back tool (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush

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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 (abutment clips) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the transmission in 1st gear, and chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Make sure the parking brake is released before lifting the rear.
• If your Compass has an EPB switch on the console, you will need a scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty) before compressing the pistons.
• Uncommon tool note: A wind-back tool pushes and turns the rear piston at the same time.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen rear wheel lug nuts

• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar (1/2") to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts about 1/2 turn (don’t remove them yet).

Step 2: Lift and support the rear

• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the approved rear jacking point.
• Set the Compass onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) and give it a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable.
• Remove the wheels using the 19mm socket.

Step 3: If equipped, put the EPB into service mode

• If your Compass has an electronic parking brake, connect a scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty) and run the rear EPB “service/maintenance” function so the motors retract.
• If you have a manual parking brake (no EPB switch), skip this step.
• If unsure, look for an EPB button near the shifter.

Step 4: Remove the rear caliper (do not hang by the hose)

• Use a ratchet (3/8") with a 13mm socket to remove the two caliper slide-pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket. If it’s tight, gently pry with a flathead screwdriver.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension using a brake caliper hanger hook.

Step 5: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the old pads out of the bracket by hand.
• Remove the old pad clips (abutment clips) from the bracket using a flathead screwdriver.
• Clean the pad contact areas on the bracket with brake cleaner and a wire brush.

Step 6: Compress (wind back) the rear caliper piston

• Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap under the hood (this prevents pressure buildup).
• Use a brake caliper wind-back tool (specialty) to rotate and press the piston back into the caliper until it bottoms smoothly.
• Watch the brake fluid level as you compress; if it rises too high, remove a little fluid (don’t let it overflow).
• Turn slowly—forced pistons can tear seals.

Step 7: Install new hardware clips and pads

• Install the new abutment clips from the hardware kit into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin film of brake caliper grease (silicone) where the pad “ears” slide on the clips (not on the friction material).
• Install the new pads into the bracket in the same orientation as the old ones.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper

• Position the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide-pin bolts using a 13mm socket and ratchet (3/8").
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall the wheels and hand-thread the lug nuts.
• Lower the Compass off the stands using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs) and 19mm socket.
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Restore pedal feel and (if equipped) exit EPB service mode

• With the engine OFF, press the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm.
• If you used a scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty), command the EPB to exit service mode and then apply/release the parking brake once.
• Recheck brake fluid level and reinstall the reservoir cap.

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✅ After Repair

• Do a slow test drive in a safe area: confirm the Compass stops straight and quietly.
• Check that the parking brake holds on a slight incline (manual or EPB).
• If the brake pedal stays soft, you may need a brake bleed (air may have been introduced).
• Brake pad break-in: make 8–10 gentle stops from 30 mph to 5 mph, letting brakes cool between.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

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

You Save: $190-$290 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 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.