🔧 Tucson - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Tucson means removing the rear calipers, swapping the pads (and hardware clips), and correctly resetting the caliper pistons so everything fits and works safely. The only “big fork in the road” is whether your Tucson has an electronic parking brake (EPB), because the EPB must be put into service mode before compressing the pistons.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• 🔥 Brakes can be hot—let them cool before touching rotors/calipers.
• 🧴 Avoid breathing brake dust; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• 🧠 If equipped with EPB: put EPB in Service/Maintenance Mode before pushing pistons back, or you can damage the actuator.
• 🚫 Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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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) - Qty: 2
• Wheel chocks - Qty: 2
• 21mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20–150 ft-lbs range)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Socket set (10mm–19mm)
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Open-end wrench set (14mm–17mm)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Brake caliper hanger hook (specialty)
• Disc brake piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Catch pan
• 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 (abutment clips) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone-based) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground. Put the shifter in P. Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• If your Tucson has an EPB switch (electronic parking brake), you must set it to service mode before compressing the rear pistons.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts 1/2 turn with a 21mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Lift the rear with a floor jack and support with jack stands under the rear lift points.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Confirm EPB vs non-EPB

• Look between the front seats: if you have an EPB switch (button/switch), follow the EPB steps below. If you have a foot parking brake pedal, skip EPB steps.

Step 2: Put EPB into Service/Maintenance Mode (EPB vehicles only)

• Turn ignition to ON (engine off).
• Press and hold the brake pedal.
• Use the EPB switch to apply/release as directed by the cluster prompts (some Tucsons show “Maintenance Mode” when successful).
• If no prompt appears, stop and tell me.

Step 3: Remove the rear wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and 3/8" ratchet (or breaker bar) to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels.

Step 4: Remove the rear caliper (one side at a time)

• Turn the steering wheel is not relevant at the rear; just rotate the rotor by hand to access bolts.
• Use a 14mm socket to remove the caliper guide pin bolts (upper and lower).
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it using a brake caliper hanger hook (this keeps tension off the brake hose).

Step 5: Remove old pads and hardware clips

• Pull the pads out of the bracket by hand (use a flathead screwdriver gently if stuck).
• Remove the stainless hardware/abutment clips with needle-nose pliers or a flathead screwdriver.
• Clean the pad “shelves” on the bracket with a wire brush and spray with brake cleaner.

Step 6: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Check the brake fluid level under the hood first; if it’s near “MAX,” use needle-nose pliers and a clean rag to carefully remove a little fluid (into a catch pan) so it won’t overflow when compressing pistons.
• Use a disc brake piston compressor tool (specialty) to push the piston straight back into the caliper until it bottoms.
• Go slow to avoid spilling fluid.

Step 7: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new hardware/abutment clips onto the bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin film of brake caliper grease where the pad ears touch the clips (metal-to-metal contact points only).
• Slide the new pads into place.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper back over the new pads.
• Use a 14mm socket to install the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Torque to 28–32 Nm (21–24 ft-lbs)

Step 9: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Do Steps 4–8 on the other side.
• Replace pads on both sides as a pair.

Step 10: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle to the ground with the floor jack.
• Use a torque wrench and 21mm socket to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 90–110 Nm (66–81 ft-lbs)

Step 11: Exit EPB Service/Maintenance Mode (EPB vehicles only)

• With ignition ON and foot on the brake, use the EPB switch to exit maintenance mode (cluster should confirm).

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✅ After Repair

• With the vehicle still parked, press the brake pedal slowly 10–15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons).
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test the parking brake operation (EPB apply/release) before driving.
• Road test at low speed first. Listen for grinding or pulling.
• Pad break-in: do 6–10 moderate stops from 30–10 mph with cool-down between stops (avoid hard stops for the first ~200 miles).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $50-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $110-$400 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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🎯 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.