🔧 Rear Brake Pads & Rotors - Replacement

Your rear brakes use a standard disc brake setup, so this job means removing the caliper, replacing the pads and rotors, then reinstalling everything with the correct torque. Fresh pads and rotors restore stopping power, reduce noise, and help prevent brake vibration.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface with the transmission in Park and the parking brake set before lifting.
• Use jack stands; never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Brake parts can be hot after driving.
• Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.
• Use caution when compressing the rear caliper piston; keep brake fluid from overflowing.

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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
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Shop towels
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1 set
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware clips - Qty: 1 set
• Brake caliper grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and chock the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake before removing the rear wheels.
• Loosen the lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• Replace pads on both rear wheels at the same time.
• Replace both rear rotors together for even braking.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the rear wheel nuts

• Use a 21mm socket to loosen the rear lug nuts while the car is still on the ground.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Lift and support the rear of the vehicle

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear of the car at a proper lift point.
• Set the car securely on jack stands.
• Remove the rear wheels with the 21mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord.
• Never let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 17mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Torque on installation: 79 Nm (58 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Remove the old rotor

• Pull the rotor off the hub.
• If it is stuck, use a flat-blade screwdriver to back off the rotor retaining screw if equipped, then tap the rotor from the rear.
• A light rust bond is normal.

Step 6: Clean and prep the hub

• Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to clean rust and debris from the hub face.
• The hub must be flat and clean so the new rotor sits true.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove protective oil.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• If present, reinstall the rotor retaining screw with the flat-blade screwdriver.

Step 8: Install new pads and hardware

• Install the new brake hardware clips into the bracket.
• Apply a thin coat of brake caliper grease to the pad contact points and slide areas.
• Install the new rear brake pads into the bracket.
• Keep grease off the pad friction material.

Step 9: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Use the brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to fully retract the rear caliper piston.
• Compress it straight in and watch the brake fluid reservoir.
• If the fluid gets too high, remove a little with a clean suction tool before continuing.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper and bracket

• Reinstall the caliper bracket using the 17mm socket.
• Torque the bracket bolts to 79 Nm (58 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the caliper with the 14mm socket.
• Torque the slide bolts to 34 Nm (25 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 snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque the lug nuts to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the other side

• Repeat the same process on the opposite rear wheel.
• Replace both rear rotors and both rear pad sets as a pair.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed before normal driving.
• Listen for rubbing or grinding and recheck wheel torque after a short drive.
• Follow a gentle break-in for the new pads and rotors 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 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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