🔧 CX-5 - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads and rotors means removing the rear wheels, taking the calipers and brackets off, swapping the rotors, then reinstalling everything with the correct hardware and torque. The one “gotcha” is the parking brake type—rear calipers must be handled differently if you have an electronic parking brake.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.0-3.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the CX-5 with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• 🛑 Don’t press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor.
• 🛑 Brake dust is unhealthy—wear a dust mask and use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• 🛑 If equipped with electronic parking brake (EPB), the rear calipers must be put in service mode before retracting.

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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
• Lug nut socket (19mm)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Socket set (10mm-21mm)
• Wrench set (10mm-21mm)
• Torque wrench (10-200 ft-lbs range)
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp or disc brake piston tool
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord or mechanics wire
• Brake cleaner
• High-temp silicone brake grease
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Dust mask

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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 brake hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin boots (if damaged) - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the transmission in 1st gear, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Loosen rear lug nuts slightly using a 19mm lug nut socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level—retracting pistons can make it rise.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Confirm your parking brake type (important)

• Look at your center console: do you have a hand lever parking brake, or an EPB button?
• If it’s an EPB button, do not proceed until the system is put into service mode (scan tool/menu procedure varies).

Step 2: Lift and secure the rear

• Lift using a floor jack at the rear jacking point, then place the vehicle on jack stands.
• Remove the rear wheels using a 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet.

Step 3: I need 2 quick details to give you exact bolt torques + the correct piston retraction method

• Tell me: hand lever or EPB button?
• Tell me the socket sizes you see on the rear caliper: the slide pin bolts (usually smaller) and the caliper bracket bolts (usually larger). A quick photo is perfect.

Once you reply, I’ll give the full reinstall/torque steps.

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✅ After Repair

• After final assembly, pump the brake pedal until it feels firm before moving the CX-5.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 if needed.
• Perform a careful road test: start slow, confirm no pulling, grinding, or warning lights.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $160-$420 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$430 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?

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.