🔧 F-150 - Rear Brake Pad and Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rotors on your F-150. The rear brakes use an electric parking brake, so the truck must be placed into brake maintenance mode before removing the calipers.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Do not work on the rear brakes until the electric parking brake is placed in maintenance mode.
• ⚠️ Never press the brake pedal while a rear caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Support the truck with jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and gloves.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 21mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 6mm hex socket
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper compression tool
• Brake caliper hanger
• Dead blow hammer
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaner
• Shop rags
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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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
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your F-150 on level ground.
• Shift to Park.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• Do not set the parking brake before lifting the rear of the truck.
• Put the electric parking brake into maintenance mode before removing the rear calipers.
• A caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.
• A rotor is the round metal disc behind the wheel.
• A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct tightness so they are not too loose or too tight.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Enter Electric Parking Brake Maintenance Mode

• Sit in the driver seat with the doors closed.
• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Press and hold the accelerator pedal fully down.
• Push and hold the electric parking brake switch downward in the release position.
• While holding both, turn the ignition OFF, then turn it back ON within 5 seconds.
• Keep holding the accelerator pedal and parking brake switch until the dash shows the parking brake is in maintenance mode.
• Release the accelerator pedal and parking brake switch.
• Turn the ignition OFF.
• Listen for rear motor movement.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.

Step 3: Lift and Support the Rear of the Truck

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the rear of your F-150 at the rear axle housing.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under solid rear axle support points.
• Lower the truck gently onto the jack stands.
• Shake the truck lightly by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use a 21mm socket to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use a 13mm socket to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a brake caliper hanger.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the old stainless pad clips from the bracket by hand or with the flathead 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 axle assembly.
• These bolts are tight, so keep the socket square on the bolt head.

Step 8: Remove the Rear Rotor

• If equipped with a small rotor retaining screw, use a 6mm hex socket to remove it.
• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap the rotor hat area with a dead blow hammer.
• Do not hit the wheel studs.
• Work slowly if rust is heavy.

Step 9: Clean the Hub Surface

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face.
• Spray the area with brake parts cleaner.
• Wipe it dry with shop rags.
• The new rotor must sit flat against the hub.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Rotor

• Clean both sides of the new rotor with brake parts cleaner.
• Wipe the rotor dry with shop rags.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• If equipped with a retaining screw, install it with a 6mm hex socket and tighten it snugly.

Step 11: Clean and Prepare the Caliper Bracket

• Use a wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Install the new pad clips by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the pad clip contact areas.
• Do not get lubricant on the pad friction material or rotor face.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand first.
• Use an 18mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the bracket bolts.
• Torque to 250 Nm (184 ft-lbs)

Step 13: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Use a brake caliper compression tool to slowly push the caliper piston straight back into the caliper.
• Because maintenance mode is active, the piston should compress smoothly.
• Stop if the piston feels locked or crooked.
• Slow pressure protects the seals.

Step 14: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Install the new pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads slide freely in the new clips.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant only to the pad ears where they touch the clips.
• Do not lubricate the pad friction surface.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Start both slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 15 on the opposite rear brake.
• Always replace rear brake pads and rotors in pairs.

Step 17: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install both rear wheels by hand.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 21mm socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 18: Lower the Truck and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the truck slightly.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower the truck fully to the ground.
• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs)

Step 19: Exit Electric Parking Brake Maintenance Mode

• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Press and hold the accelerator pedal fully down.
• Pull and hold the electric parking brake switch upward in the apply position.
• While holding both, turn the ignition OFF, then turn it back ON within 5 seconds.
• Keep holding both until the dash shows maintenance mode has ended.
• Release the accelerator pedal and parking brake switch.

Step 20: Pump the Brake Pedal

• With the truck still in Park, press the brake pedal slowly several times.
• The pedal will feel soft at first.
• Stop when the pedal feels firm.
• This seats the caliper pistons against the new pads.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your F-150 and confirm the brake warning light turns off.
• ✅ Apply and release the electric parking brake one time to confirm normal operation.
• ✅ Check around both rear calipers for brake fluid leaks.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Bed in the new brakes with several gentle stops from 30-40 mph.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles: Torque to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs)

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

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

You Save: $270-$400 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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