🔧 Escape - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Escape means removing the rear wheels, opening each rear caliper, swapping the worn pads, and compressing the caliper piston so the new pads fit. Your Escape uses a rear disc brake setup, and the rear caliper piston must be retracted correctly to avoid damaging the parking brake mechanism.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface only. Never rely on a jack by itself.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands before putting any part of your body near or under the vehicle.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Wear safety glasses and gloves, and do not blow dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a rear caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ The rear caliper piston on your Escape is a screw-in style piston, meaning it must be turned while being pushed inward.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this pad replacement.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug wrench
• 19mm socket
• Ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive
• 13mm socket
• 15mm open-end wrench
• Rear disc brake piston wind-back tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Small wire brush
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• 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 - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Escape on level ground and shift to Park.
• Release the parking brake before lifting the rear of the vehicle.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level. If it is at the MAX line, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the calipers.
• A rear disc brake piston wind-back tool turns and pushes the piston inward at the same time.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug wrench or 19mm socket to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack at the rear lift point to raise the rear of your Escape.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Lightly shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use a 19mm socket or 19mm lug wrench to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Caliper Lower and Upper Slide Pin Bolts

• Look at the back side of the rear brake caliper.
• Use a 13mm socket to loosen the caliper slide pin bolts.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it still with a 15mm open-end wrench.
• Remove the upper and lower caliper slide pin bolts.
• A slide pin is the smooth pin that lets the brake caliper move side-to-side as the pads wear.

Step 5: Lift the Caliper Off the Brake Pads

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver carefully between the caliper and pad to create a little clearance.
• Lift the caliper off the pads by hand.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.
• Rest the caliper securely on the suspension, or support it with a safe hook if you have one.
• Protect the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Pull the old inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry out the old metal pad clips from the bracket.
• These clips are called abutment clips. They guide the pads and reduce noise.
• Use a small wire brush to clean the bracket areas where the clips sit.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner spray and wipe it with shop towels.

Step 7: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Use the rear disc brake piston wind-back tool on the caliper piston.
• Turn the piston clockwise while applying inward pressure until the piston is fully seated.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while doing this. Fluid level may rise.
• Make sure the piston boot does not twist, tear, or bunch up.
• Go slowly and keep pressure even.

Step 8: Install the New Pad Hardware

• Snap the new rear brake pad hardware kit clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver only if needed to seat the clips gently.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the contact points where the brake pad ears slide in the clips.
• Do not get lubricant on the pad friction material or rotor face.

Step 9: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new inner and outer rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads move smoothly in the new clips.
• If a pad is tight, remove it and clean the bracket again with the small wire brush.

Step 10: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads by hand.
• Line up the caliper slide pin bolt holes.
• Start the caliper slide pin bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 13mm socket and hold the slide pin with a 15mm open-end wrench if needed.
• Tighten the rear caliper slide pin bolts to Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 10 on the opposite rear brake assembly.
• Use the same 13mm socket, 15mm open-end wrench, flat-blade screwdriver, small wire brush, and rear disc brake piston wind-back tool.
• Always replace rear brake pads as a full axle set, meaning both rear wheels at the same time.

Step 12: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Put each rear wheel back onto the hub by hand.
• Install the lug nuts finger-tight first.
• Use a 19mm socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• A star pattern means tightening across the wheel instead of going in a circle.

Step 13: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Escape fully to the ground.
• Use a torque wrench 1/2-inch drive with a 19mm socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Tighten the wheel lug nuts to Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly several times.
• The pedal may feel soft at first, then become firm.
• Do not drive until the brake pedal feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and adjust if needed.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Escape and press the brake pedal again. Confirm the pedal feels firm.
• ✅ Reapply and release the parking brake to confirm it works normally.
• ✅ Check behind both rear wheels for leaks or anything loose.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with several gentle stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, letting the brakes cool between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles unless it is an emergency.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $45-$120 (parts only)

You Save: $130-$330 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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