🔧 QX50 - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, swap the rear brake pads and rotors, then reassemble and torque everything correctly. New pads/rotors restore stopping power and prevent noise/vibration caused by worn pads or warped rotors.

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

Assumption: stock rear brakes with mechanical parking brake.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the QX50 with jack stands before going under it.
• ⚠️ Chock the front wheels and release the parking brake before removing rear rotors.
• ⚠️ Do not inhale brake dust; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Never let the caliper hang by the brake hose; support it with a hook/strap.
• ⚠️ Check brake fluid level while compressing pistons to prevent overflow.

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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 (20–150 ft-lbs)
• 14mm socket
• 19mm socket
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Rubber mallet
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Disposable 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 rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit (pad clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper silicone grease - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 quart

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface, shift to Park, and chock both front wheels.
• Release the parking brake fully (rear rotors may not come off if it’s applied).
• Crack the rear lug nuts loose with a 21mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; you’ll monitor the level as you push pistons back.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the rear

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear and place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under safe support points.
• Remove the rear wheels using a 21mm socket and ratchet.

Step 2: Remove the rear caliper

• Turn the steering wheel slightly if you need more hand room; rear access is tight.
• Remove the two caliper slide bolts using a 14mm socket and ratchet.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it from the suspension using a bungee cord.
• Tip: Hanging it prevents hose damage.

Step 3: Remove old pads and inspect

• Pull the pads out of the bracket by hand; use a flat-blade screwdriver gently if stuck.
• Remove the pad hardware clips from the bracket using a flat-blade screwdriver.
• Use brake cleaner spray and a wire brush to clean the bracket pad “rails” (where pads slide).

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Remove the caliper bracket bolts using a 19mm socket and breaker bar.
• Set the bracket aside.

Step 5: Remove the rotor (and deal with the parking brake shoes if needed)

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub. If it’s stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet to break rust loose.
• If the rotor won’t slide off, the internal parking brake shoes may be holding it.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver through the access hole (or rubber plug, if equipped) to back off the adjuster a little, then try again.
• Tip: Small adjustments, then re-try removal.

Step 6: Prep the hub and install the new rotor

• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and brake cleaner spray so the rotor sits perfectly flat.
• Install the new rotor onto the hub.

Step 7: Reinstall bracket and torque it

• Reinstall the caliper bracket bolts using a 19mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 88 Nm (65 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Install new hardware clips and pads

• Snap the new hardware clips into the bracket by hand (use a flat-blade screwdriver carefully if needed).
• Apply a thin film of brake caliper silicone grease to the pad ears where they contact the clips (not on pad friction material).
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a brake piston compressor tool (specialty) to slowly push the caliper piston back until it’s fully seated.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir under the hood as you compress; remove a little fluid if it’s getting too high.
• Tip: Slow compression helps protect the seal.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper and torque slide bolts

• Place the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the caliper slide bolts using a 14mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall the wheels using a 21mm socket.
• Lower the QX50 off the stands using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench.
• Torque to 133 Nm (98 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the other side

• Repeat Steps 2–11 on the other rear wheel.
• Tip: Do one side at a time for reference.

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine off, pump the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons against the new pads).
• Check the brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• Test the parking brake function and ensure the wheels rotate freely when it’s released.
• Do a careful road test: slow stops first, then gradually harder stops.
• Pad bed-in (typical): 8–10 moderate stops from 40–10 mph, letting brakes cool between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $160-$380 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$470 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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