🔧 Rear Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

Your rear brake pads and rotors wear together, so replacing both at the same time gives the best stopping feel and helps avoid noise or vibration. On your Explorer, this is a straightforward brake job, but you must compress the rear caliper pistons slowly and keep everything clean.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• Set the parking brake before lifting, then release it before removing the rear calipers so the rotor can come off.
• Brake dust can be harmful; wear a dust mask and do not blow dust with compressed air.
• Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• If the rear piston will not retract smoothly, stop and inspect for a sticking caliper.
• 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
• 21mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger
• Brake cleaner
• Shop towels
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and chock the front wheels.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• Release the parking brake before removing the rear wheels if needed for rotor removal.
• Keep the ignition off and do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen and lift the rear of the vehicle

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear lug nuts about 1 turn each.
• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of the Explorer at the proper lift point.
• Set the vehicle securely on jack stands.

Step 2: Remove the wheel

• Remove the lug nuts with the 21mm socket.
• Pull the wheel off and set it aside.

Step 3: Remove the brake caliper

• Use a 15mm socket to remove the caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord or caliper hanger.
• Do not let it hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use an 18mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Tighten on reassembly to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• Slide the rotor off the hub.
• If it is stuck, use a flat-blade screwdriver through the access hole or tap the rotor hat with a mallet.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Clean hub = smooth rotor.

Step 6: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Use the caliper piston compression tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Make sure the piston face stays straight and does not bind.
• If the piston resists hard, inspect the caliper before continuing.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove shipping oil.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• If needed, hold it in place with a lug nut finger-tight.

Step 8: Install the caliper bracket

• Reinstall the bracket with the 18mm socket.
• Torque to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Install new pads and hardware

• Remove the old pad hardware from the bracket.
• Install the new hardware kit.
• Apply a thin coat of brake caliper grease to the pad contact points and slide areas only.
• Install the new pads in the bracket.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper

• Position the caliper over the new pads.
• Use the 15mm socket to reinstall the slide bolts.
• Torque to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-start the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle and use the 21mm socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the pads and rotor on the opposite rear wheel the same way.
• Always replace brakes in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• Check both rear calipers for proper movement and no fluid leaks.
• Test drive at low speed first and verify there is no scraping, pulling, or vibration.
• Bed in the new pads with gentle stops for the first 200 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $270-$500 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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