🔧 Tucson - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing your rear brake pads restores safe stopping and prevents rotor damage when pads get thin. On your Tucson, the rear brakes typically use an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), so you must put the EPB into “service mode” before pushing the caliper piston back.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the Tucson with jack stands; never rely on a jack.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor.
• ⚠️ Use EPB service mode before compressing the rear pistons, or you can damage the EPB system.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful; avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ If brake fluid nears “MAX” and you compress pistons, fluid can overflow; monitor the reservoir.

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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 (20-200 ft-lbs)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs)
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp (6" minimum)
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• High-temperature brake grease
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Scan tool with EPB service function (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake hardware kit (abutment clips) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin boots (if damaged) - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3 or DOT 4) - Qty: 1 quart

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, steering straight, and chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Release the parking brake (EPB) using the EPB switch before lifting.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; keep the cap sitting on top (not fully tightened) so fluid can move as you compress pistons.
• Plan for EPB service mode: use a scan tool with EPB service function (specialty) or use the EPB switch sequence (steps below).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2" drive breaker bar to loosen (not remove) the rear lug nuts about 1 turn.

Step 2: Lift and support the rear

• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper rear jacking point.
• Set the Tucson down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Give the vehicle a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable.

Step 3: Remove the rear wheels

• Remove lug nuts using the 21mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet (or breaker bar).
• Remove both rear wheels and set them aside.

Step 4: Put the EPB into service mode (required)

• Scan tool method (preferred): Connect your scan tool with EPB service function (specialty) and run the EPB “Pad Replacement” or “Service Mode” function to retract the rear parking brake motors.
• Switch method (if supported): With ignition ON (engine OFF), hold the EPB switch in the RELEASE direction and follow the on-screen/cluster prompts to enter maintenance mode. If the cluster does not confirm service mode, stop and use the scan tool with EPB service function (specialty).
• Service mode retracts the parking brake motor.

Step 5: Remove the caliper (do not let it hang)

• Turn the steering wheel slightly if you need more hand room (rear access is usually fine as-is).
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Carefully lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper using a brake caliper hanger hook so the brake hose is not stretched.
• Never hang a caliper by the hose.

Step 6: Remove old pads and hardware clips

• Pull the inner and outer pads out of the bracket by hand.
• Remove the abutment clips (hardware) from the bracket using a flathead screwdriver.
• Clean the pad “rails” (where pads slide) using brake cleaner spray, shop towels, and a wire brush.

Step 7: Remove and service the slide pins

• Slide pins are the two smooth pins the caliper bolts screw into; they allow the caliper to move evenly.
• Pull each slide pin out by hand (twist gently if needed).
• Wipe old grease off with shop towels, then lightly clean with brake cleaner spray.
• Apply a thin, even coat of high-temperature brake grease to each pin and reinstall them.
• If a rubber boot is torn, replace it (listed in parts).

Step 8: Install new hardware clips and pads

• Install new abutment clips from the rear brake hardware kit (abutment clips) into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a very light film of high-temperature brake grease to the pad ears (the metal tabs that contact the clips). Do not get grease on pad friction material.
• Install the new pads into the bracket. They should slide freely.

Step 9: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Before compressing, confirm EPB is in service mode from Step 4.
• Place the old inner pad against the piston face, then use a C-clamp (6" minimum) to slowly push the piston straight back into the caliper.
• Go slowly and watch the brake fluid reservoir under the hood for overflow; remove a little fluid if needed using shop towels to catch spills.
• Slow compression helps prevent seal damage.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs) for the rear caliper slide pin bolts.

Step 11: If you removed the caliper bracket (only if needed)

• If you removed the bracket to service/replace rotors, reinstall bracket bolts using a 17mm socket and 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs).
• Torque to 78 Nm (58 ft-lbs) for the rear caliper bracket bolts.
• Bracket removal isn’t required for pads-only.

Step 12: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 5 through 10 on the opposite side.
• Use the same tools and the same torque specs.

Step 13: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Install wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Tucson off the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a 21mm socket and 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs).
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs) for wheel lug nuts.

Step 14: Exit EPB service mode

• Scan tool method: Use the scan tool with EPB service function (specialty) to command EPB to close/initialize after pad replacement.
• Switch method: Follow the cluster prompts to exit maintenance mode, then apply and release the EPB once to confirm normal operation.

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✅ After Repair

• With engine OFF, pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pads against the rotors).
• Check brake fluid level and top off with brake fluid (DOT 3 or DOT 4) if needed.
• Test the EPB: apply and release it twice while stopped.
• Test drive at low speed first; confirm no pulling, grinding, or warning lights.
• Pad bedding-in: make 6-10 smooth stops from ~30 mph to ~5 mph, with light-to-medium pressure, allowing short cool-down between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $280-$550 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $220-$390 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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