🔧 Grand Cherokee - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rotors on your Grand Cherokee. The rear rotors also contain the parking brake drum surface inside the rotor “hat,” so the parking brake must be fully released before removal.

Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool brake system only. Brake parts get very hot after driving.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands every time. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake completely before removing the rear rotors.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air; use brake cleaner.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint. Keep the master cylinder area clean and covered.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this rear brake job on your Grand Cherokee.

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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
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated to 150 ft-lbs
• 22mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive extension 6-inch
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool
• Bungee cord
• Rubber mallet
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner aerosol
• Shop towels
• Small catch pan

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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 - Qty: 1
• Disc brake caliper grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner aerosol - Qty: 1-2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of both front tires.
• 🛑 Make sure the parking brake is fully released.
• 🔓 Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• 📌 A caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.
• 📌 A rotor is the round metal disc the brake pads grab to stop the vehicle.
• 📌 A caliper bracket holds the caliper and pads in position over the rotor.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 22mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about 1 turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Break them loose on the ground.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the rear of your Grand Cherokee at the approved rear lift point.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the rear support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before working.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 22mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use brake cleaner aerosol and shop towels to clean loose dust from the caliper and rotor area.
• Do not breathe brake dust.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use a 13mm socket, 3/8-inch drive ratchet, and 3/8-inch drive extension 6-inch to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• Slide the caliper off the rotor by hand.
• Use a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Rear Brake Pads

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry the old pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the old pad clips from the bracket by hand or with the flat-blade screwdriver.
• Pad clips are thin metal guides that let the brake pads slide smoothly.

Step 7: Remove the Rear Caliper Bracket

• Use an 18mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket from the knuckle.
• These bolts are tight from the factory, so keep the socket straight and fully seated.

Step 8: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Confirm again that the parking brake is fully released.
• Pull the rotor straight off by hand.
• If stuck, use a rubber mallet to strike the rotor hat between the wheel studs.
• Do not hit the wheel studs.
• If the rotor still will not come off, the parking brake shoes may be holding it from inside the rotor hat.

Step 9: Clean the Hub Surface

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face.
• Use brake cleaner aerosol and shop towels to wipe the hub clean.
• The hub face must be clean so the new rotor sits flat.
• Rust here can cause brake vibration.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Rotor

• Use brake cleaner aerosol and shop towels to clean the oil coating off both sides of the new rotor.
• Slide the new rear rotor onto the wheel studs.
• If the rotor feels tight over the parking brake shoes, remove it and recheck that the parking brake is released.
• Install one lug nut by hand to hold the rotor flat while you work.

Step 11: Service the Caliper Bracket

• Use a wire brush to clean the brake pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Install the new brake pad clips from the rear brake hardware kit by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of disc brake caliper grease only where the brake pad ears touch the clips.
• Do not get grease on the rotor or pad friction surface.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the new rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to prevent cross-threading.
• Use an 18mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated to 150 ft-lbs to tighten the bracket bolts.
• Torque to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs)

Step 13: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Place a small catch pan below the caliper area in case fluid overflows at the reservoir.
• Use the brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly push the caliper piston straight back into the caliper.
• The piston is the round part inside the caliper that pushes the brake pad.
• Go slowly so brake fluid can return to the master cylinder safely.
• Do not twist the piston; press it straight in.

Step 14: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Install the new rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pad friction material faces the rotor.
• The pads should slide easily in the clips.
• If they bind, remove them and clean the bracket contact points again with the wire brush.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both caliper slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the bolts.
• Use a 13mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated to 150 ft-lbs to tighten the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 15 on the opposite rear wheel.
• Always replace rear brake pads and rotors in pairs.

Step 17: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut holding each rotor.
• Install each rear wheel by hand.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 22mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to lightly snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 18: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower the vehicle until the tires just touch the ground.
• Use the 22mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated to 150 ft-lbs to torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs)
• Fully lower the vehicle and remove the floor jack.

Step 19: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before moving the vehicle, press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• This seats the caliper pistons against the new brake pads.
• The first pedal press may go low. That is normal after compressing the calipers.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level under the hood and make sure it is between MIN and MAX.
• ✅ Start your Grand Cherokee and press the brake pedal again until it feels firm.
• ✅ Test the parking brake after the brake pedal feels normal.
• ✅ Drive slowly in a safe area and confirm the brakes stop smoothly.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with 8-10 moderate stops from about 30-40 mph, allowing cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive: 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$750 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $150-$300 (parts only)

You Save: $300-$450 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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