🔧 Rear Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

Your rear brakes on the F-150 use disc brakes with a parking brake shoe setup inside the rotor hat. This job replaces the rear pads and rotors, and you’ll also inspect the calipers, slide pins, and parking brake hardware while everything is apart.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Use jack stands only. Never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• If the rotor will not come off, the parking brake shoes may be holding it. Back off the parking brake adjuster before forcing the rotor.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Wear safety glasses and a mask if available.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Breaker bar
• 21mm socket
• 13mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger
• Brake pad spreader
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Hammer
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Drain pan
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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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
• Brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• Pad hardware kit - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the transmission in Park.
• Release the parking brake before removing the rotors.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• Chock the front wheels.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and support the rear

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear of the truck by the axle or approved lift point.
• Support both sides with jack stands.
• Remove the rear wheels with a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 13mm socket to remove the caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a bungee cord or caliper hanger.
• Do not let it hang by the brake hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and bracket

• Remove the inner and outer brake pads from the caliper bracket.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque on reassembly: Tighten the caliper bracket bolts to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the rotor

• If the rotor is stuck, use a hammer to tap around the rotor hat.
• If it still will not come off, access the parking brake adjuster through the backing plate slot and back it off with a flat blade screwdriver.
• Remove the rotor from the hub.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and brake cleaner.

Step 5: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner before installation.
• Slide the rotor onto the hub.
• If needed, reinstall a lug nut hand-tight to hold the rotor in place while you work.

Step 6: Install the pads and bracket

• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points on the bracket.
• Install the caliper bracket with a 13mm socket.
• Torque on reassembly: Tighten the caliper bracket bolts to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).
• Install the new pads and hardware kit.

Step 7: Compress the caliper and reinstall it

• Use a brake pad spreader to compress the caliper piston slowly.
• Install the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide bolts with a 13mm socket.
• Torque on reassembly: Tighten the caliper slide bolts to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the wheel

• Reinstall the wheel and snug the lug nuts with a 21mm socket.
• Lower the truck and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque on reassembly: Tighten the lug nuts to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the rear brakes and rotors on both sides to keep braking even.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the truck. The pedal should become firm.
• Check brake fluid level in the reservoir.
• Test brake operation at low speed in a safe area.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking noises.
• Bed in the new pads with several gentle stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$550 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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