🔧 Escape - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Escape means removing the rear wheels, retracting the electronic parking brake system, swapping the pads, and bedding the new pads in gently. Your Escape uses an electronic parking brake, so the rear calipers must be placed into service mode before the pads are removed.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Your Escape has an electronic parking brake, also called EPB; this is a motor-controlled parking brake built into the rear calipers.
• ⚠️ Do not force the rear caliper piston back unless the EPB is in service mode, or the caliper motor can be damaged.
• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the vehicle with jack stands. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Wear safety glasses, gloves, and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can overflow when caliper pistons are compressed. Check the brake fluid reservoir before pushing pistons back.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not normally required for this job, but keep the ignition off except during EPB service mode steps.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 19mm lug nut socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm open-end wrench
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 3/8-inch torque wrench
• 1/2-inch breaker bar
• 1/2-inch torque wrench
• Flathead screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Rear disc brake piston compressor tool
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Brake cleaner spray nozzle
• Wire brush
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• 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
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Escape on a flat, solid surface.
• Shift to Park and leave the ignition off until the EPB service mode step.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels to stop the vehicle from rolling.
• Release the parking brake before starting the EPB service mode process.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If it is full, remove a small amount with an approved fluid extractor before compressing the calipers.
• EPB service mode can be entered using either the vehicle switch sequence or a capable scan tool. Both paths are listed below.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the EPB Into Service Mode

• Use your foot to press and hold the accelerator pedal fully down.
• Use your finger to press and hold the electronic parking brake switch downward in the release direction.
• While holding both, turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Keep holding the accelerator pedal and EPB switch until the instrument cluster shows parking brake maintenance/service mode.
• Turn the ignition off once service mode is active.
• If using a scan tool instead, use a compatible scan tool and select Parking Brake Maintenance Mode / EPB Service Mode.
• Listen for rear motors retracting.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.

Step 3: Raise and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum at the approved rear lifting point to raise the rear of your Escape.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the approved rear support points.
• Gently lower the vehicle onto the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Shake the vehicle lightly by hand to confirm it is stable before working near the brakes.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper Bolts

• The brake caliper is the clamp-shaped part that squeezes the pads against the rotor.
• Use a 15mm open-end wrench to hold the caliper slide pin from spinning.
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the upper and lower caliper guide pin bolts.
• Do not remove the brake hose.

Step 6: Lift the Caliper Off the Pads

• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry the caliper away from the pads if it is stuck.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket by hand.
• Use a brake caliper hanger hook to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Pads and Hardware

• Use your hands or a flathead screwdriver to slide the old brake pads out of the bracket.
• Use needle-nose pliers to remove the old stainless pad clips from the caliper bracket.
• Pad clips are thin metal guides that let the brake pads slide smoothly.
• Compare the old pads to the new pads before installation.

Step 8: Clean the Caliper Bracket

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and debris from the pad clip mounting areas.
• Use the brake cleaner spray nozzle to spray the bracket clean.
• Keep brake cleaner away from painted surfaces.
• Clean metal helps pads move freely.

Step 9: Install New Pad Hardware

• Install the new rear brake pad hardware kit clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a small amount of brake lubricant on the pad contact points where the pad ears touch the clips.
• Do not put lubricant on the pad friction material or rotor surface.

Step 10: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Use a rear disc brake piston compressor tool to slowly push the caliper piston straight back into the caliper.
• A piston compressor tool presses the round caliper piston back to make room for thicker new pads.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston so it does not overflow.
• Because the EPB is in service mode, the piston should compress smoothly.

Step 11: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new rear brake pad set into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure each pad sits flat in the new hardware clips.
• If the pads bind, remove them and recheck the clip position.

Step 12: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads by hand.
• Use a 15mm open-end wrench to hold the slide pin steady.
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch torque wrench to tighten the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Use the same 13mm socket, 15mm open-end wrench, flathead screwdriver, wire brush, and rear disc brake piston compressor tool on the opposite rear brake.
• Always replace rear brake pads in pairs.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each rear wheel back onto the hub by hand.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Do not fully torque the lug nuts while the vehicle is still in the air.

Step 15: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise the rear slightly and remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Escape until the tires touch the ground.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs)

Step 16: Exit EPB Service Mode

• Use your foot to press and hold the accelerator pedal fully down.
• Use your finger to pull and hold the electronic parking brake switch upward in the apply direction.
• While holding both, turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Keep holding until the instrument cluster confirms parking brake maintenance/service mode has ended.
• If using a scan tool, select Exit Parking Brake Maintenance Mode / EPB Service Mode.
• Apply and release the parking brake once to confirm normal EPB operation.

Step 17: Pump the Brake Pedal

• With the vehicle in Park, press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the pedal feels firm.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the brake fluid level and make sure it is between the MIN and MAX marks.
• Start your Escape and confirm the brake warning light turns off.
• Apply and release the electronic parking brake to verify normal operation.
• Test drive slowly in a safe area and confirm the brake pedal feels firm.
• Bed in the pads by making 8-10 gentle stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, allowing a short cooling period between stops.
• Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless it is an emergency.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $45-$110 (parts only)

You Save: $140-$340 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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