🔧 Renegade - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, replace the rear brake pads, and swap the rotors. On your Renegade, the rear calipers are tied to the electronic parking brake (EPB), so the EPB must be put into service mode before you compress the pistons.

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

Assumption: Factory rear EPB calipers; common fastener sizes/torques shown—verify if anything differs on your axle.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands under the rear lift points; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Put the electronic parking brake (EPB) into service mode before compressing rear pistons, or you can damage the EPB system.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful—use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Keep brake fluid off paint; it damages finishes fast.

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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
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs range)
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• Extensions (3" and 6")
• Torx T30 bit
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Bungee cord
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Small wire or pick tool
• OBD2 scan tool with EPB service function (specialty)
• Nitrile 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 (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• Threadlocker (medium strength) - Qty: 1
• DOT 3 / DOT 4 brake fluid - Qty: 1 quart

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and keep the steering straight.
• Chock both front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Release the EPB (parking brake OFF).
• Open the hood and check brake fluid level; if the reservoir is very full, be ready to remove a little fluid (pads push fluid back).
• Get your OBD2 scan tool with EPB service function ready. (This tool commands the EPB motors to retract so the pistons can be compressed safely.)
• Caliper hanger hook = a metal hook to support the caliper so the brake hose isn’t stretched.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen lug nuts and lift the rear

• Use a 17mm socket and breaker bar to crack the rear lug nuts loose about 1/2 turn while the wheels are on the ground.
• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support it on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the lug nuts with a 17mm socket and remove both rear wheels.

Step 2: Put the EPB into service mode (rear calipers)

• Connect the OBD2 scan tool with EPB service function (specialty).
• Use the scan tool menu to run the EPB “Brake Pad Service Mode / EPB Retract” function so the rear caliper pistons can be pushed in.
• If your scan tool offers prompts, follow them exactly (typically ignition ON, engine OFF).
• Don’t skip this—EPB damage is expensive.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper (one side at a time)

• Turn the rotor by hand and inspect the caliper and bracket.
• Remove the caliper guide pin bolts using a 13mm socket and ratchet (3/8" drive).
• Lift the caliper off the bracket. Support it using a caliper hanger hook or bungee cord so the brake hose is not pulled tight.
• Remove the outer and inner pads from the bracket using a flathead screwdriver if they’re stuck.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Remove the caliper bracket bolts using an 18mm socket and a breaker bar (these are usually tight).
• Set the bracket aside for cleaning.
• Torque on install (typical): Torque to 90 Nm (66 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• If equipped, remove the rotor retaining screw using a Torx T30 bit and ratchet (3/8" drive).
• Pull the rotor off. If seized by rust, tap around the rotor hat with a rubber mallet until it breaks free.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and spray with brake cleaner spray, then wipe with shop towels.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner spray and wipe with shop towels (removes protective oil).
• Install the new rotor onto the hub.
• If equipped, reinstall the rotor screw using a Torx T30 bit.
• Torque on install (typical): Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs)

Step 7: Service the bracket hardware and slide pins

• Remove and replace the pad abutment clips (hardware) on the bracket using a small wire or pick tool.
• Clean the bracket “pad lands” (where clips sit) with a wire brush.
• Pull the slide pins out, wipe them clean with shop towels, and apply a thin coat of brake caliper grease (silicone).
• Reinstall slide pins and confirm they move smoothly.

Step 8: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Make sure EPB service mode is active from Step 2.
• Use a brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston straight back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir as you compress; remove a little fluid if it threatens to overflow (use shop towels to protect surrounding areas).
• Go slow to avoid seal damage.

Step 9: Install new pads and reassemble

• Install the new pads into the bracket (inner and outer). Use a light smear of brake caliper grease (silicone) on pad ears where they contact the hardware clips (do not get grease on pad friction material).
• Reinstall the caliper bracket using an 18mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque: Torque to 90 Nm (66 ft-lbs)
• Set the caliper over the new pads and reinstall guide pin bolts using a 13mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque (typical): Torque to 28 Nm (21 ft-lbs)
• If your guide pin bolts require threadlocker, apply threadlocker (medium strength) before tightening.

Step 10: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 3–9 on the other side using the same tools.
• Keep parts side-specific if anything differs.

Step 11: Exit EPB service mode and reinstall wheels

• Use the OBD2 scan tool with EPB service function (specialty) to run the EPB “Close/Initialize / EPB Apply” function to return the EPB to normal operation.
• Reinstall wheels and hand-start lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle and torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a 17mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque: Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs)

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine OFF, pump the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 / DOT 4 brake fluid if needed.
• Start the engine and confirm the pedal feels normal (it will drop slightly with brake assist—this is normal).
• Apply and release the EPB a few times to confirm normal operation and no warning lights.
• Road test at low speed first. Confirm no grinding, pulling, or pulsation.
• Pad bed-in (typical): 6–10 moderate stops from 30–40 mph with cool-down time between stops. Avoid hard stops for the first 150–200 miles.

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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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