🔧 CX-9 - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

Rear brake pads and rotors are replaced as a set so you get smooth, quiet braking and proper pad-to-rotor contact. On your CX-9, the process also depends on whether you have an electronic parking brake (EPB), because the rear pistons can’t be pushed back normally unless the EPB is put into maintenance mode.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack; use jack stands.
• 🛑 Brakes may contain dust; avoid blowing it with compressed air.
• 🛑 If your CX-9 has EPB, do not force the piston back until EPB is in maintenance mode.
• 🛑 Keep brake grease off the pad/rotor friction surfaces.

---

🔧 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
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 3/8"
• Torque wrench 1/2"
• Socket set metric 8mm-21mm
• Ratchet 3/8"
• Ratchet 1/2"
• Open-end wrench set metric 10mm-19mm
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Brake piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord
• Rubber mallet
• Micrometer or digital caliper (specialty)
• Brake cleaner spray

---

🔩 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 caliper hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your CX-9 on level ground and chock the front wheels.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting (use the breaker bar and correct socket).
• If equipped with EPB, you must enter EPB maintenance mode before compressing the caliper piston.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Confirm EPB type and get the correct torque specs

• Look between the front seats for a parking brake switch (electronic) versus a hand lever (mechanical).
• Check the driver door jamb label for the build month/year (this affects OEM torque specs listings).
• Reply with EPB type + build date.

Step 2: Lift the rear and remove the wheels

• Use wheel chocks at the front tires.
• Use a floor jack to lift the rear at the approved lift point, then support with jack stands.
• Remove lug nuts using a breaker bar 1/2" and the correct metric socket, then remove both rear wheels.

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

• Turn the steering wheel straight and ensure the vehicle is stable on jack stands.
• Remove the caliper slide pin bolts using a ratchet 3/8" and the correct metric socket.
• Lift the caliper off and support it with a brake caliper hanger hook or bungee cord (never let it hang by the hose).

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket and rotor

• Remove the caliper bracket bolts using a breaker bar 1/2" and the correct metric socket.
• Remove the rotor. If it’s stuck, tap the rotor hat using a rubber mallet.
• Clean the hub face using a wire brush and brake cleaner spray so the new rotor sits flat.

Step 5: Install the new rotor and prep the bracket

• Clean the new rotor surfaces using brake cleaner spray to remove packing oil.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• Clean the pad contact areas on the bracket using a wire brush.
• Install new pad hardware clips from the rear caliper hardware kit.

Step 6: Retract the rear piston (this is where EPB matters)

• If EPB equipped: set EPB to maintenance mode first, then compress the piston using the brake piston compressor tool (specialty).
• If mechanical parking brake: compress the piston using the brake piston compressor tool (specialty).
• Check the brake fluid reservoir while compressing; stop if it looks like it will overflow.
• Go slow; steady pressure prevents damage.

Step 7: Install pads and reassemble

• Apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) to the slide pins (not the pad friction surface).
• Install new pads into the bracket.
• Reinstall the caliper over the pads.
• Tighten fasteners with a torque wrench to OEM spec (I’ll provide exact numbers once you answer the 2 questions below).

Step 8: Reinstall wheels

• Install wheels and snug lug nuts using a ratchet 1/2" and correct metric socket.
• Lower the vehicle and torque lug nuts using a torque wrench 1/2" to OEM spec (I’ll provide the exact spec once confirmed).

---

✅ After Repair

• With engine off, pump the brake pedal until it feels firm (this seats the pads).
• If EPB equipped, exit EPB maintenance mode and confirm the parking brake applies/releases normally.
• Test drive slowly and check for noise, pulling, or a soft pedal.
• Do a gentle pad bed-in: 6-10 moderate stops from 30-10 mph, with cooling time between.

---

💰 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 2.0-3.0 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

Before I lock in the exact OEM torque specs and the correct EPB maintenance-mode steps for your CX-9, answer these two quick questions:

• 🧾 Do you have an electronic parking brake switch or a manual hand lever?
• 📅 What is the build month/year on the driver door jamb label?

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.