🔧 NX - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

This job replaces the rear brake pads and rear rotors, which restore stopping power and eliminate grinding, vibration, or thin-pad warnings. On your NX, the rear brakes use an electronic parking brake (EPB), so you must put the EPB into service/maintenance mode before pushing the caliper piston back.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground; support the NX on jack stands, not the jack.
• ⚠️ Chock the front wheels; keep the transmission in Park.
• ⚠️ EPB warning: do NOT press the parking brake switch or start driving while calipers are removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ If brake fluid is near MAX, remove a little before compressing pistons to prevent overflow.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required, but keep ignition OFF unless entering EPB service mode.

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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
• 17mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 3/8" ratchet
• 1/2" breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10–200 Nm range)
• Flat trim/pry tool
• Caliper hanger hook
• Brake caliper piston compressor (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Scan tool with EPB service mode capability (specialty)

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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 (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1
• High-temp anti-seize - Qty: 1
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on flat ground, set the EPB ON, then turn ignition OFF.
• Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn using a 17mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Plan for EPB service mode (required): use either a scan tool with EPB service mode capability (specialty) or the manual EPB maintenance mode sequence below.
• Take a photo of pad/clip layout first.

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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 at the rear center jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the rear side support points and lower onto stands.
• Place wheel chocks at the front wheels.

Step 2: Remove the rear wheels

• Remove lug nuts using a 17mm socket and 3/8" ratchet.
• Remove both rear wheels.

Step 3: Put the EPB into service (maintenance) mode

• Scan tool method (recommended): Use a scan tool with EPB service mode capability (specialty) and select EPB > Maintenance Mode (or “Pad Replacement Mode”) and follow prompts.
• Manual method (if supported): With ignition ON (engine OFF), press and hold the EPB switch to RELEASE, then press and hold to APPLY, repeating as needed until the cluster indicates maintenance/service mode. If it does not enter service mode, stop and use the scan tool method.
• Service mode retracts EPB motor safely.

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

• Turn the steering slightly if needed for access (rear access is usually straight-on).
• Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and 3/8" ratchet.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket. Support it with a caliper hanger hook (do not let it hang by the brake hose).

Step 5: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the pads out of the bracket by hand; use a flat trim/pry tool gently if stuck.
• Remove the pad clips/shims from the bracket.
• Clean the bracket pad lands (where clips sit) using brake cleaner spray and a wire brush.

Step 6: Remove the caliper bracket

• Remove the bracket bolts using a 17mm socket (some setups use 19mm socket) and a 1/2" breaker bar.
• Set the bracket aside.
• Torque spec on install (typical): Torque to 75–85 Nm (55–63 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Remove the rotor

• If the rotor is stuck, spray hub area with brake cleaner spray and tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet to break it free.
• Remove the rotor from the hub.

Step 8: Prep and install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor friction surfaces using brake cleaner spray and shop towels.
• Lightly clean the hub face with a wire brush, then apply a very thin film of high-temp anti-seize to the hub center (avoid the studs and rotor face).
• Install the new rotor onto the hub.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Install and hand-thread the bracket bolts, then tighten using a 17mm socket/19mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 75–85 Nm (55–63 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Install new pad hardware and pads

• Install new clips from the rear brake hardware kit (clips/shims).
• Apply a light film of brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) at clip contact points (metal-to-metal), not on pad friction material.
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 11: Retract the caliper piston and reinstall the caliper

• Confirm EPB is still in service mode.
• Compress the piston using a brake caliper piston compressor (specialty) until it bottoms smoothly.
• Clean and lightly grease the slide pins with brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) if they were removed.
• Reinstall the caliper over the pads and install slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 25–30 Nm (18–22 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 4–11 on the other side.
• Always finish one side before starting the other.

Step 13: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Install wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the NX to the ground using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench (10–200 Nm range).
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Exit EPB service mode

• Use the scan tool with EPB service mode capability (specialty) to exit maintenance mode, or follow the reverse of the manual method if it successfully entered service mode.
• Cycle ignition OFF, then ON, and confirm the EPB applies/releases normally.

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✅ After Repair

• With engine OFF, press the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• Test EPB apply/release in your driveway before moving.
• Do a slow test drive: confirm no grinding, pulling, or warning lights.
• Pad bedding (break-in): make 6–10 gentle stops from ~50 km/h to ~10 km/h, allowing short cool-down between. Avoid hard stops for the first 200 km.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹12,000–₹25,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹6,000–₹16,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹6,000–₹9,000 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹800–₹2,000/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5–3.0 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.

Assumption: your NX has EPB rear calipers requiring service mode.