🔧 RX350 - Rear Brake Pads & Rotors Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, swap the brake pads and rotors, then reassemble and torque everything correctly. On your RX350, the main “gotcha” is the rear parking brake system—if it’s electronic (EPB), the rear calipers must be put in service mode before you push the pistons back.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface; never rely on a jack alone—use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Chock the front wheels so the SUV can’t roll.
• ⚠️ If equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB), do not force the rear pistons back until EPB service mode is active.
• ⚠️ Don’t inhale brake dust—use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Brake parts get hot—let everything cool before starting.
• ⚠️ Keep brake fluid off paint; it damages paint quickly.

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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
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Torque wrench (10–200 Nm range)
• Flat trim tool
• Disc brake piston compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake parts cleaner
• Shop rags
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Scan tool with EPB service function (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 - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit (abutment clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant (silicone brake grease) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and turn the ignition OFF.
• Chock both front wheels.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the SUV (use 21mm socket and breaker bar).
• If your RX350 has an electronic parking brake (switch on the console), plan to use Scan tool with EPB service function (specialty) to retract the EPB. “Service mode” is a setting that backs the parking brake motors off so the caliper pistons can be pushed in safely.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level. If it’s near MAX, be ready to remove a little with rags (fluid rises when you compress pistons).

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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 approved rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under solid rear support points and lower onto the stands.
• Remove the rear wheels using a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Put the parking brake system in the correct mode

• If equipped with EPB: connect the Scan tool with EPB service function (specialty) and run the rear EPB “Maintenance/Service Mode” or “Pad Replacement Mode” function.
• If not equipped with EPB (manual/foot parking brake): make sure the parking brake is fully released before you touch the rear calipers.
• Never compress rear pistons with EPB active.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper (pads come out here)

• Turn the steering wheel straight and look at the rear caliper.
• Remove the caliper slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a bungee cord so it doesn’t pull on the brake hose.
• Don’t let the caliper dangle by the hose.

Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the pads out of the bracket by hand (use a flat trim tool gently if they’re stuck).
• Remove the pad abutment clips/hardware from the bracket (use a flat trim tool).
• Clean the bracket pad “tracks” with a wire brush and spray with brake parts cleaner.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket (rotor comes off after this)

• Remove the caliper bracket bolts using a 17mm socket and a breaker bar.
• Set the bracket aside.
• On reassembly: Torque to 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs) for the caliper bracket bolts.

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it’s stuck from rust, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet while pulling outward.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and brake parts cleaner so the new rotor sits flat.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake parts cleaner and shop rags to remove packing oil.
• Slide the rotor onto the hub and hold it in place with one lug nut finger-tight (use a 21mm socket).

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper bracket with new hardware

• Install the new abutment clips from the Rear brake hardware kit (abutment clips/shims) onto the bracket.
• Apply a thin film of Brake lubricant (silicone brake grease) where pads slide on the clips (not on the rotor).
• Reinstall the bracket bolts using a 17mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Before compressing, check the brake fluid reservoir level under the hood.
• Use a Disc brake piston compression tool (specialty) to slowly push the rear piston fully back into the caliper.
• Wipe away any old grease/dirt with shop rags.

Step 10: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.
• Apply a light coat of Brake lubricant (silicone brake grease) to pad backing plate contact points (where they touch the caliper/bracket), but keep grease off friction material.
• Slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 3–10 on the other side so braking stays even.
• Always replace pads/rotors in pairs.

Step 12: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Install the wheels and hand-thread the lug nuts.
• Lower the SUV off the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) 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).

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine OFF, press 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 Brake fluid (DOT 3) if needed.
• If equipped with EPB: use the Scan tool with EPB service function (specialty) to exit service mode, then apply/release the parking brake to confirm normal operation.
• Do a cautious test drive: start with gentle stops, then gradually increase braking.
• Pad bedding (break-in): make 6–10 moderate stops from 30–40 mph, allowing short cool-down between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $180-$420 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$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?

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