🔧 Traverse - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Rear brake pads wear down over time and need replacement to keep braking strong and quiet. On your Traverse, the key detail is the electronic parking brake (EPB), which may need to be put into “service mode” before you push the caliper piston back in.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the SUV with jack stands before working under/around wheels.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• ⚠️ If equipped with EPB on the rear calipers, retract/disable it before compressing the piston.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful—use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Keep brake fluid off paint; it damages finishes.

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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
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set (10mm-21mm)
• Caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Flat trim tool
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear pad hardware/abutment clip kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant (silicone/ceramic) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the steering wheel straight, and chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Release the parking brake fully using the EPB switch.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level; if it’s near “MAX,” be ready to remove a little fluid as the pistons are pushed back.
• If your rear calipers have an EPB motor, you must put the EPB into service mode before compressing pistons. A scan tool (specialty) is a diagnostic tablet that can command the EPB to retract.

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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 with a 1/2" drive breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts 1/2 turn while the wheel is still on the ground.

Step 2: Lift and support the rear of the SUV

• Lift with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper rear lift point.
• Set it down securely on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the wheel using the 21mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.

Step 3: Identify whether you have EPB-on-caliper

• Look at the back of the rear caliper.
• If you see an electrical connector and a small motor housing on the caliper, it’s EPB-on-caliper and needs service mode.
• If you do not see a motor on the caliper, continue to Step 5.

Step 4: Put the EPB into service mode (if EPB-on-caliper)

• Connect the scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty).
• Use the EPB service function to retract/release the rear parking brake for pad service.
• Don’t force the piston with EPB engaged.

Step 5: Remove the caliper from the bracket

• Use the correct size from your socket set (10mm-21mm) and a 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the two caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord so the brake hose is not stretched.

Step 6: Remove old pads and hardware clips

• Pull the inner and outer pads out by hand.
• Use a flat trim tool to carefully pry out the old abutment clips (hardware) from the caliper bracket.

Step 7: Clean and prep the bracket

• Spray the bracket pad contact areas with brake cleaner spray.
• Use a wire brush to remove rust where the clips sit.
• Install the new hardware clips by hand (they should “snap” into place).

Step 8: Compress the caliper piston

• Place the old pad against the piston face.
• Use a caliper piston compression tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing; do not let it overflow.

Step 9: Install new pads and lubricate contact points

• Apply a thin film of brake lubricant (from your parts) to pad “ears” where they slide in the clips.
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket by hand.
• Keep grease off pad friction material.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper and torque fasteners

• Set the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the caliper guide pin bolts using your 3/8" drive ratchet and the correct socket from the socket set (10mm-21mm).
• Torque caliper guide pin bolts to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs range).

Step 11: Reinstall wheel and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall the wheel and snug lug nuts with a 21mm socket.
• Lower the SUV off the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Torque wheel lug nuts to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs) in a star pattern using the torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs range).

Step 12: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 2 through 11 on the other side.
• Replace pads on both rear wheels.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons).
• If you used EPB service mode, use the scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty) to exit service mode and re-apply/release EPB once.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Do a careful test drive: low speed stops first, then normal stops.
• Pad bedding: make 6-10 moderate stops from ~50 km/h to ~15 km/h, with cool-down driving between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹6,000-₹14,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹2,500-₹7,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹3,500-₹7,000 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹800-₹2,000/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-2.0 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.