🔧 Focus - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rotors on your Focus. The rear brake calipers use a screw-in style piston, so the piston must be rotated while being pushed back before the new pads will fit.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface with the front wheels chocked.
• ⚠️ Never work on a vehicle supported only by a jack. Use jack stands every time.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake completely before removing the rear calipers.
• ⚠️ Wear a dust mask and do not blow brake dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose. Support it with a caliper hanger.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 13mm socket
• 15mm open-end wrench
• Torx T30 bit socket
• Rear brake caliper wind-back tool (specialty)
• Flathead screwdriver medium
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaning brush
• Catch pan
• Brake cleaner spray
• Brake lubricant silicone/ceramic
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

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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 pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1-2 cans
• Brake lubricant silicone/ceramic - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Focus on level ground and shift the manual transmission into 1st gear.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels.
• 🔓 Make sure the parking brake is fully released.
• 🧰 A rear brake caliper wind-back tool turns and presses the caliper piston inward at the same time.
• 🧴 Check the brake fluid reservoir. If the level is near the top, remove a small amount so it does not overflow while retracting the pistons.
• 📸 Take a photo of each rear brake before removing parts. It helps during reassembly.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Keep the tires on the ground while loosening so the wheels do not spin.
• Do not remove lug nuts yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use the floor jack to raise the rear of your Focus at the approved rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle slowly 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 19mm lug nut socket to remove the loosened rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels.
• Place the wheels flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Clean the Brake Assembly

• Put on safety glasses, nitrile gloves, and a dust mask.
• Place the catch pan under the rear brake assembly.
• Use brake cleaner spray to wet down brake dust on the caliper, pads, bracket, and rotor.
• Use the brake parts cleaning brush to loosen heavy dirt.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use the 15mm open-end wrench to hold the caliper slide pin steady.
• Use the 13mm socket to remove the upper and lower caliper guide bolts.
• Slide the caliper off the rotor carefully.
• Use the brake caliper hanger hook to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not pull on, twist, or stretch the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Pads and Clips

• Use the flathead screwdriver medium to gently pry the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Use the flathead screwdriver medium to remove the old pad hardware clips.
• Use brake cleaner spray and the wire brush to clean the bracket where the clips sit.
• Clean brackets help prevent brake noise.

Step 7: Remove the Old Rotor

• Use the Torx T30 bit socket to remove the small rotor retaining screw from the rotor face.
• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• The hub is the flat metal surface behind the rotor that the wheel bolts to.
• If the rotor is stuck, carefully work it loose by hand and avoid damaging the hub.
• Use the wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.

Step 8: Install the New Rotor

• Use brake cleaner spray and shop towels to clean both braking surfaces of the new rotor.
• Slide the new rotor fully onto the hub.
• Use the Torx T30 bit socket to install the rotor retaining screw.
• Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs).

Step 9: Retract the Rear Caliper Piston

• Use the rear brake caliper wind-back tool to press and rotate the caliper piston inward until it is fully seated.
• Keep the tool straight so the piston does not cock sideways.
• Watch the rubber dust boot around the piston. Stop if it twists or pinches.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir while retracting the piston so it does not overflow.

Step 10: Install New Pad Hardware

• Push the new pad hardware clips into the cleaned caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a very thin layer of brake lubricant silicone/ceramic to the areas where the pad ears touch the clips.
• Pad ears are the small metal tabs at each end of the brake pad backing plate.
• Keep lubricant off the rotor and pad friction surface.

Step 11: Install the New Brake Pads

• Slide the new inner and outer pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads sit flat and can move slightly in the clips.
• If the pads are tight, remove them and clean the bracket again with the wire brush.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Use the 15mm open-end wrench to hold the slide pin steady.
• Use the 13mm socket to install the upper and lower caliper guide bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 4-12 on the other rear brake.
• Use the same tools and torque specs.
• Rear brake pads and rotors should be replaced in pairs for even braking.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install each rear wheel onto the hub.
• Start every lug nut by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 15: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle until the tires just touch the ground.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 19mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 16: 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 pads.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir and top off only if needed with the correct brake fluid listed on the reservoir cap.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Focus and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm, not sink to the floor.
• ✅ Check both rear calipers for leaks or twisted brake hoses.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Bed in the brakes with 8-10 moderate stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, allowing short cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first drive: Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$550 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$250 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$300 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 hours.

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