🔧 1500 - Rear Brake Pads & Rotors Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rear brake rotors on your 1500. The rear brakes use an electronic parking brake, so the parking brake motors must be placed into service mode before the calipers are removed.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground only. Never rely on a jack by itself; always support your 1500 with jack stands.
• ⚠️ Your 1500 has an electronic parking brake. Do not remove the rear calipers until Brake Service Mode is enabled.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a rear caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and use brake cleaner instead of compressed air.
• ⚠️ The 48V mild-hybrid system does not normally need service isolation for rear brakes, but avoid orange high-voltage wiring and do not disturb hybrid components.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required if using the truck’s Brake Service Mode menu.

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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
• Dust mask
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 22mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 6-inch socket extension
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake parts cleaning brush
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• High-temperature brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 pint

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your 1500 on level ground and leave the transmission in Park.
• Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks so the truck cannot roll.
• Release the parking brake before entering Brake Service Mode.
• Brake Service Mode retracts the electronic parking brake motors so the rear caliper pistons can be pushed back safely.
• Use the Uconnect screen path: Apps > Settings > Brakes > Brake Service Mode, then select Yes.
• Keep the ignition in RUN with the engine off while enabling service mode.
• If the menu is not available, a scan tool with electronic parking brake service functions is required before removing the calipers.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Enable Brake Service Mode

• Press the brake pedal once, then release the electronic parking brake.
• Use the Uconnect screen and go to Apps > Settings > Brakes > Brake Service Mode.
• Select Yes and wait for the cluster message confirming service mode.
• A service mode message means the parking brake motors are backed off and safe to service.
• Do not skip this step.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use the 22mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.

Step 3: Raise and Support the Rear of the Truck

• Use the floor jack under the rear axle center section to raise the rear of your 1500.
• Place jack stands under the rear axle tubes, one on each side.
• Lower the truck gently onto the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Give the truck a small push to confirm it is stable before working underneath or near the wheels.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 22mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.
• Slide one wheel under the frame area as a backup safety measure.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper Slide Pin Bolts

• Start on one side and keep the other side assembled so you can use it as a reference.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• The slide pins allow the caliper to move evenly as the pads wear.
• Support the caliper with a brake caliper hanger hook.
• 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 pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Notice how the pads and metal clips are positioned before removing them.
• Remove the old brake hardware clips from the bracket by hand or with the flathead screwdriver.

Step 7: Remove the Rear Caliper Bracket

• Use the 21mm socket, 6-inch socket extension, and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bolts fully with the 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet.
• Lift the caliper bracket off the rotor and set it aside.

Step 8: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Pull the rear rotor straight off by hand.
• If it is stuck, tap the rotor hat between the wheel studs using a rubber mallet.
• Do not strike the wheel studs.
• If the parking brake shoes drag inside the rotor, confirm Brake Service Mode is active before forcing anything.

Step 9: Clean the Hub and Bracket

• Place the catch pan under the brake area.
• Use brake cleaner and a brake parts cleaning brush to clean the caliper bracket.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face.
• The hub face is the flat surface the rotor sits against.
• A clean hub prevents brake vibration.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Rotor

• Clean the new rotor braking surfaces with brake cleaner and wipe off the protective oil coating.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub by hand.
• Install one lug nut by hand to hold the rotor flat while you work.

Step 11: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the new rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the caliper bracket bolts to Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Install New Brake Hardware and Pads

• Install the new rear brake hardware clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of high-temperature brake lubricant to the pad contact points on the hardware only.
• Do not get lubricant on the rotor face or pad friction material.
• Slide the new rear brake pads into the bracket by hand.
• The friction material must face the rotor.

Step 13: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Check the brake fluid level under the hood before compressing the piston.
• Use the brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly push the caliper piston back into the caliper.
• This tool presses the piston straight in so the thicker new pads will fit.
• If the brake fluid rises near the top of the reservoir, remove a small amount with a clean fluid-safe suction tool.
• Do not reuse removed brake fluid.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Start both slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the slide pin bolts to Torque to 38 Nm (28 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 14 on the opposite rear brake.
• Use the first finished side as a reference if needed.
• Always replace rear pads and rotors in pairs.

Step 16: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut holding each rotor.
• Install each wheel onto the hub.
• Thread the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 22mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 17: Lower the Truck and Torque the Wheels

• Use the floor jack to raise the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the truck fully to the ground with the floor jack.
• Use the 22mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 18: Exit Brake Service Mode

• Turn the ignition to RUN with the engine off.
• Use the Uconnect screen and go to Apps > Settings > Brakes > Brake Service Mode.
• Select Off or follow the on-screen prompt to exit Brake Service Mode.
• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• The pedal will feel low at first because the caliper pistons must move back out against the new pads.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid reservoir and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• ✅ Start your 1500 and press the brake pedal several times until it stays firm.
• ✅ Apply and release the electronic parking brake to confirm it works normally.
• ✅ Look behind both rear wheels for fluid leaks or loose parts.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area before driving in traffic.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with 8-10 gentle stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, allowing cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles: Torque to 176 Nm (130 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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