🔧 Escape - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll be removing the rear wheels, taking off the rear brake calipers, replacing the brake pads, and swapping the rear rotors. This restores braking performance and fixes common issues like grinding, pulsing, or thin pads.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the Escape on jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks so the Escape can’t roll.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful—wear nitrile gloves and a dust mask.
• ⚠️ If your Escape has an electronic parking brake (EPB) switch, the rear brakes may require EPB service mode before compressing the caliper pistons.

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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
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Dust mask
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (1/2") 20-200 ft-lbs
• 19mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8")
• Socket set (8mm-21mm)
• 7mm hex bit socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Torx T30 bit
• Flathead screwdriver (medium)
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• C-clamp (6")
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray
• Catch pan

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Rear pad hardware/clip kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin boots (if damaged) - Qty: 1
• Brake grease (silicone-based) - Qty: 1
• Threadlocker (medium strength) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground. Put the shifter in P.
• Release the parking brake completely before working on the rear brakes.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts 1/2 turn using a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• If your Escape has an EPB switch (button), you may need EPB service mode before compressing pistons. If unsure, look for a parking brake pedal vs a button.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear

• Chock the front wheels using wheel chocks.
• Lift the rear at the proper jacking point using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Set the Escape on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the rear wheels using a 19mm socket.

Step 2: Check if you have EPB (important)

• If you have a parking brake pedal, you typically do not need scan-tool service mode.
• If you have an EPB button, do not force the piston in until EPB is put into service mode. Forcing can damage the EPB caliper.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed for rear, but rotate the hub by hand to access bolts.
• Pry the outer pad spring/anti-rattle clip (if equipped) using a flathead screwdriver (medium).
• Remove the caliper slide pin bolts using a 7mm hex bit socket or 13mm socket (varies by caliper).
• Lift the caliper off and hang it using a brake caliper hanger hook (do not let it hang by the hose).

Step 4: Remove the pads and bracket

• Remove the old inner and outer pads by hand.
• Remove the caliper bracket bolts using an 18mm socket (some setups may use 15mm socket).
• Set the bracket aside.

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• If your rotor has a retaining screw, remove it using a Torx T30 bit.
• Pull the rotor off. If stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet to break rust free.
• Clean the hub face using a wire brush and spray with brake cleaner spray.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor friction surfaces using brake cleaner spray (removes protective oil).
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• If equipped, install the rotor retaining screw using a Torx T30 bit and Torque to 10 Nm (7 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the bracket and hardware

• Install new pad clips/hardware onto the bracket (from your hardware kit).
• Reinstall the bracket bolts using an 18mm socket.
• Apply threadlocker (medium strength) to the bracket bolt threads.
• Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Compress the caliper piston

• Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap under the hood (loosens pressure) using your hands and place it aside.
• Place an old pad against the piston and compress the piston slowly using a C-clamp (6") or brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty).
• Watch the fluid level; catch overflow using a catch pan.
• Go slow—fast compression can damage seals.

Step 9: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Apply a thin film of brake grease (silicone-based) where the pad ears touch the clips (do not get grease on the pad/rotor face).
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket by hand.
• Reinstall the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 7mm hex bit socket or 13mm socket.
• Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall wheels

• Put the wheels back on and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Escape off the stands using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench (1/2").
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal 10-15 times before driving until the pedal feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and reinstall the reservoir cap.
• Test brakes at low speed first. Listen for scraping or clicking.
• Bed-in the pads: do 6-10 moderate stops from 30-35 mph, letting brakes cool between stops.
• If you have EPB and it was put in service mode, exit service mode before driving.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $160-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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