🔧 Explorer - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

You’ll be replacing the rear brake pads on your Explorer and resetting the electric parking brake so the new pads fit correctly. This will improve braking performance and stop any grinding or squealing from worn pads.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate (OK for careful first-timer) | Estimated Time: 2–3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Always support the vehicle with jack stands. A floor jack alone can fail.
• ⚠️ Work on cool brakes only; hot rotors and calipers can burn you.
• ⚠️ Your Explorer has an electric parking brake (EPB). You must put it in “service mode” with a scan tool or specific steps, or you can damage the EPB motor.
• ⚠️ Keep your hands, hair, and clothing away from moving parts when the ignition is on.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed; you can push the piston out.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Use brake cleaner, not compressed air, to clean parts.
• ⚠️ If you feel unsure at any point, stop and consider having a professional finish the job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 🛠️ Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• 🛠️ Jack stands (2-ton or higher, Qty: 2)
• 🛠️ Wheel chocks (rubber or wood blocks, Qty: 2)
• 🛠️ 19mm socket
• 🛠️ 1/2" drive ratchet
• 🛠️ 1/2" drive torque wrench (10–200 ft-lbs range)
• 🛠️ 13mm socket
• 🛠️ 15mm socket
• 🛠️ Torx T30 bit or screwdriver
• 🛠️ Flat-head screwdriver (medium size)
• 🛠️ Brake caliper wind-back / rewind tool (specialty)
• 🛠️ C-clamp or large adjustable clamp
• 🛠️ Wire brush (small, steel or brass)
• 🛠️ Bungee cord or strong wire hanger
• 🛠️ Brake cleaner spray
• 🛠️ Clean shop rags or paper towels
• 🛠️ Disposable gloves (nitrile)
• 🛠️ Safety glasses
• 🛠️ OBD2 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 (left and right) - Qty: 1 set (replace both sides)
• 🧩 Rear brake pad hardware kit (abutment clips / anti-rattle clips) - Qty: 1 set
• 🧩 Synthetic brake grease (high-temperature) - Qty: 1 small tube
• 🧩 Brake cleaner - Qty: 1–2 cans
• 🧩 Caliper bracket bolts (rear, one-time-use if supplied with pads) - Qty: 4 (optional but recommended if included)

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park the Explorer on level ground, shift to PARK, and set the parking brake, then turn the ignition OFF.
• Loosen, but do not remove, rear wheel lug nuts with the 19mm socket before lifting.
• Open the hood and remove the brake fluid reservoir cap slightly (leave it sitting on top) to let pressure escape as pistons are pushed back.
• Have your scan tool with EPB function ready, and make sure the battery is strong so the EPB motors can cycle.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) into Service Mode

• The EPB is an electric motor on the rear calipers that applies the parking brake; “service mode” fully releases the pistons for pad replacement.
• Plug your OBD2 scan tool with EPB function into the diagnostic port under the dashboard (above the driver’s knees).
• Turn the ignition to ON (engine off, dash lights on).
• Using the scan tool, follow the menu, typically: Brake System > Electric Parking Brake > Maintenance / Service Mode > Open / Retract.
• Wait while you hear the rear EPB motors run. The tool should confirm EPB is in service mode.
• If your scan tool gives a different menu, follow its EPB “pad replacement” function.

Step 2: Lift and Secure the Rear of the Vehicle

• Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels.
• Use the floor jack under the rear jacking point or rear subframe (check your owner’s manual picture) to lift the rear of the Explorer.
• Raise until both rear wheels are off the ground.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear support points and slowly lower the vehicle onto the stands with the floor jack.
• Gently rock the Explorer to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm socket and 1/2" drive ratchet to remove all lug nuts from one rear wheel.
• Pull the wheel straight off and set it aside.
• Repeat for the other rear wheel.

Step 4: Inspect and Identify the Rear Brake Parts

• The caliper is the part that squeezes the pads onto the rotor (the large disc).
• The caliper bracket is the thick metal support that the caliper bolts onto.
• You will see the EPB motor as a small electric motor on the back of each rear caliper with an electrical connector.
• Take a clear photo of each side before disassembly.

Step 5: Remove the Caliper Slide Bolts

• Turn the steering wheel if needed for better access, or slightly rotate the rotor by hand.
• On one rear brake, locate the two caliper slide bolts on the back of the caliper (top and bottom).
• Use the 13mm socket and ratchet to loosen and remove both slide bolts.
• Keep track of these bolts; inspect the smooth part of each bolt for rust or damage.

Step 6: Remove and Support the Caliper

• Gently pry the caliper away from the pads using a flat-head screwdriver if needed.
• Lift the caliper off the rotor and pads.
• Use a bungee cord or wire hanger to hang the caliper from the suspension spring or another solid point. Do not let it hang by the rubber hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Slide the old inner and outer pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Note any wear sensors or shims and how they are positioned.
• Pull the old metal clips (hardware) out of the bracket using the flat-head screwdriver.

Step 8: Retract the Rear Caliper Piston

• The piston is the round part inside the caliper that moves out to push the pads.
• Because this is an EPB caliper, the piston may need to be turned and pushed back using the brake caliper wind-back tool.
• Fit the wind-back tool into the notches on the piston face, and slowly turn it clockwise while applying steady inward pressure to retract the piston fully into the caliper.
• If the piston pushes straight in without turning after EPB service mode, you can instead use a C-clamp between the piston and the caliper body to slowly push it back.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir under the hood to make sure it doesn’t overflow; remove some fluid with a clean rag or syringe if it gets too full.

Step 9: Clean the Caliper Bracket and Install New Hardware

• Spray the caliper bracket (especially where the pads sit) with brake cleaner.
• Use the wire brush to scrub rust and dirt from the pad contact areas.
• Install the new metal hardware clips from your hardware kit into the bracket; they should snap into place.
• Apply a very thin layer of brake grease to the spots where the pad “ears” will touch the new hardware. Do not get grease on the friction surface of pads or rotor.

Step 10: Install the New Brake Pads

• Slide the new inner and outer pads into the bracket, making sure the friction surface faces the rotor.
• If one pad has a wear indicator tab or a different shape, match it to how the old pads were installed (usually inner pad).
• Ensure the pads move smoothly in the bracket but fit snugly.

Step 11: Reinstall the Caliper Over the New Pads

• Remove the caliper from the bungee and carefully position it over the new pads.
• Line up the caliper slide bolt holes with the bracket holes.
• Apply a tiny amount of brake grease to the smooth part of each slide bolt.
• Install the slide bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 13mm socket and ratchet to tighten both slide bolts.
• Then use the torque wrench with 13mm socket to tighten each slide bolt to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs).

Step 12: (If Removed) Check Caliper Bracket Bolts

• If you removed the thicker caliper bracket bolts (15mm head) for any reason, reinstall them with the 15mm socket.
• Use the torque wrench with 15mm socket to tighten each bracket bolt to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 5–12 for the other rear brake.
• Do both sides in the same session for even braking.

Step 14: Exit EPB Service Mode and Apply the Parking Brake

• With both sides assembled, lower the Explorer just enough so the wheels can’t spin freely, or leave it on stands with wheels off for this step.
• Turn the ignition to ON (engine off).
• Using the scan tool, go to: Brake System > Electric Parking Brake > Maintenance / Service Mode > Close / Exit.
• Wait until you hear the EPB motors run and the scan tool confirms the system is back to normal mode.
• Now, with wheels back on and vehicle on the ground (or after next step), firmly apply and release the parking brake switch inside the cabin 2–3 times to let the system self-adjust.

Step 15: Reinstall Wheels and Lower the Vehicle

• Put each wheel back on the hub and hand-thread all lug nuts.
• Use the 19mm socket and ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Use the floor jack to lift the Explorer slightly, remove the jack stands, then lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
• Use the torque wrench with 19mm socket to tighten each lug nut in a star pattern to 200 Nm (148 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Pump the Brake Pedal and Check Fluid

• Sit in the driver’s seat and slowly press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm. This seats the pads against the rotors.
• Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir; adjust to the “MAX” line if needed.
• Reinstall and tighten the reservoir cap fully.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and gently press the brake pedal; it should feel firm, not spongy, and must not sink to the floor.
• With the vehicle in a safe, open area, test the brakes at low speed (5–10 km/h), then slightly higher speeds, to confirm smooth stopping and no pulling or grinding.
• Apply and release the parking brake switch a few more times to ensure the EPB works properly and no warning lights appear on the dash.
• For the first 300–500 km, avoid very hard stops if possible. Use gentle to moderate braking to bed in the new pads for best life and performance.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350–$550 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $80–$160 (parts only)

You Save: $270–$390 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100–$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5–2.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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