🔧 Passport - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

On your Passport, the rear brakes use an electronic parking brake (EPB) system, so the rear caliper pistons must be retracted using an EPB “maintenance/service” mode before you push the pistons back. Once in service mode, you’ll remove the rear caliper, swap pads/hardware, compress the piston, and reinstall everything with proper torque.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack—use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor; the piston can pop out.
• ⚠️ EPB warning: do not force/rotate the rear piston without putting the EPB in service mode first.
• ⚠️ Let brakes cool before starting; hot rotors and pads can burn you.
• ⚠️ If you use a scan tool, keep the ignition on as instructed to avoid EPB faults.

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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
• 19mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs range)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• 12mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Flat trim/pry tool
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Brake caliper piston press tool (specialty)
• OBD2 scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Shop rags
• 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 grease (silicone brake lubricant) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the transmission to Park, and place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts 1/2 turn before lifting the vehicle.
• Open the hood and remove the brake fluid reservoir cap (just set it on top). This helps the pistons push back easier. Don’t spill brake fluid on paint.
• Question (so I give the exact best path): Do you have a scan tool that can put the EPB into service/maintenance mode?

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the EPB into service/maintenance mode

• Connect your OBD2 scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty) to the OBD port under the dash.
• Turn ignition ON (engine OFF).
• Use the scan tool menu to run the EPB Maintenance/Service Mode function (wording varies by tool).
• Wait for the scan tool to confirm the EPB is retracted/maintenance mode is active.

Step 2: Lift the rear and remove the wheels

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear at the proper rear jacking point.
• Support the vehicle on jack stands at the rear support points.
• Remove the rear wheels using a 19mm socket and breaker bar.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper (pad access)

• Turn the steering slightly if it helps access (you’re working at the rear, so space is usually fine).
• Remove the lower and upper caliper slide pin bolts using a 12mm socket.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a brake caliper hanger hook (do not let it hang by the brake hose).

Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer pads out by hand.
• Remove the stainless pad clips/hardware from the bracket using a flat trim/pry tool.
• Clean the bracket pad “rails” (where the clips sit) using brake cleaner spray, shop rags, and a wire brush.

Step 5: Compress the caliper piston

• Make sure EPB service mode is active (from Step 1).
• Use a brake caliper piston press tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston straight back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing. If it rises near the top, stop and remove a little fluid with a suitable siphon (don’t overflow).

Step 6: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new stainless clips from the rear brake pad hardware/clip kit onto the bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin film of brake caliper grease where the pads slide on the clips (metal-to-metal contact points only). Keep grease off pad friction surfaces.
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Reinstall the caliper slide pin bolts using a 12mm socket.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 3–7 on the opposite rear side.
• Always replace rear pads as an axle set.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall both rear wheels hand-tight.
• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern using a 19mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Exit EPB service mode

• Use the OBD2 scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty) to command EPB back to normal mode.
• Clear any EPB-related codes if your scan tool shows them.

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✅ After Repair

• Before moving the vehicle, pump the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm.
• Re-check brake fluid level and top off if needed (use the correct DOT brake fluid specified on the reservoir cap).
• Apply and release the parking brake a few times to confirm normal operation.
• Test drive at low speed first. Verify no grinding, pulling, or warning lights.
• If pads are new, do a gentle break-in: several easy stops from 25–40 mph, letting brakes cool between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

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

You Save: $290-$470 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.