🔧 Cherokee - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, take off the rear calipers and brackets, replace the rotors, then install new pads and hardware. On your Cherokee, the rear brakes are typically tied to an electronic parking brake (EPB), so you must put the EPB into service mode before compressing the caliper pistons.

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

Assumption: your Cherokee has an EPB that requires service mode.

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and chock the front wheels.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ EPB caution: keep your hands clear of the caliper while retracting EPB service mode.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not usually required, but keep the key fob away from the vehicle to prevent the EPB from auto-applying.

---

🔧 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
• 19mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs range)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Torx T30 bit
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake parts cleaner
• Scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty)
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 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 (clips/abutments) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (high-temp silicone) - Qty: 1
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 quart

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, steering straight, and chock the front wheels.
• Make sure the EPB is released before lifting the vehicle.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; do not remove the cap yet, but be ready to watch the fluid level during piston compression.
• If using a scan tool: set it up now and find the EPB function (often listed under ABS or Parking Brake modules).
• Slide pins are the caliper’s moving guide bolts.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen lug nuts and raise the rear

• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn.
• Use a floor jack to lift the rear at the proper lift point, then place jack stands under safe support points.
• Remove the wheels using the 19mm socket.

Step 2: Put the EPB into service mode

• Connect your scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty).
• Command the parking brake to “Service/Maintenance Mode” (wording varies by tool).
• Wait until the scan tool confirms the EPB is fully retracted before touching the caliper.
• If you can’t enter service mode, stop here.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper

• Turn the steering wheel is not applicable; keep the rear suspension relaxed on stands.
• Use a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it using a bungee cord (do not let it dangle by the brake hose).

Step 4: Remove old pads and inspect slide pins

• Remove the pads from the bracket using a flat-blade screwdriver if they’re stuck.
• Pull the slide pins out (one at a time), wipe them clean, and apply a thin coat of caliper slide pin grease.
• Reinsert the pins and make sure they move smoothly by hand.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use an 18mm socket with a breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Set the bracket aside.
• Reinstall later and Torque to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs) for the bracket bolts.

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• If equipped, remove the rotor retaining screw using a Torx T30 bit.
• Pull the rotor off. If it’s seized, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet to break it free.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and spray with brake parts cleaner.
• Apply a very light film of anti-seize compound to the hub face (keep it off the studs and braking surfaces).

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor braking surfaces with brake parts cleaner to remove shipping oil.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• If equipped, install the rotor retaining screw using a Torx T30 bit and Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs).

Step 8: Install new hardware and pads

• Install new pad abutment clips (hardware) onto the bracket.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to fully seat the clips.
• Apply a thin layer of caliper slide pin grease where the pad “ears” contact the clips (do not get grease on pad friction material).
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Check the brake fluid reservoir level under the hood; if it’s near “MAX,” remove some fluid before compressing.
• Use a brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly press the piston straight back into the caliper.
• Stop if it won’t compress smoothly; forcing it can damage the EPB caliper.

Step 10: Reinstall caliper and torque bolts

• Position the caliper over the pads and rotor.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 13mm socket and 3/8" drive torque wrench.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs) for the caliper slide pin bolts.

Step 11: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 3 through 10 on the other side.
• Do one side at a time to stay organized.

Step 12: Re-enable the EPB and reinstall wheels

• Use the scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty) to exit service mode and re-apply/release as instructed by the scan tool.
• Reinstall wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle using the floor jack.
• Use a 1/2" drive torque wrench with a 19mm socket to Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs) in a star pattern.

---

✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly 8-10 times until it feels firm (this seats the pads).
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 only if needed.
• Start the engine and confirm the brake pedal stays firm.
• Test the EPB apply/release while stopped, then do a cautious low-speed test drive.
• Pad bedding (recommended): make 6-10 smooth stops from ~35 mph to 5 mph, with cool-down driving between stops.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a 1/2" drive torque wrench.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $600-$950 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $220-$480 (parts only)

You Save: $380-$470 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2.0-3.0 hours.

---

🎯 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.