🔧 1500 - Rear Brake Pads & Rotors Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and 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 removing the calipers.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool brake system. Hot rotors and pads can burn you.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Your 1500 has an electronic parking brake. Put it in service mode before removing the rear calipers.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the rear calipers are removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Wear a dust mask and use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required if using the correct electronic parking brake service mode procedure.

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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
• 22mm socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Small flathead screwdriver
• Disc brake piston compression tool (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Rubber mallet
• Bungee cord
• Brake caliper hanger (specialty)
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1-2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your 1500 on level ground.
• Put the transmission in Park.
• Chock the front wheels using wheel chocks.
• Do not set the parking brake once service mode is started.
• An electronic parking brake service mode retracts the rear parking brake motors so the caliper pistons can be pushed back safely.
• Turn the ignition to RUN without starting the engine.
• Using the Uconnect screen, go to Apps > Settings > Brakes > Brake Service and enable service mode if shown.
• If the menu is not shown, use a compatible scan tool and select Electronic Parking Brake > Service Mode / Retract.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Rear Parking Brake in Service Mode

• Use the Uconnect screen and select Apps > Settings > Brakes > Brake Service.
• Follow the on-screen message to retract the rear electronic parking brake.
• If the screen does not offer this menu, use a compatible scan tool and select Electronic Parking Brake > Service Mode / Retract.
• You may hear the rear motors move. That is normal.
• Turn the ignition OFF after service mode is active.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 22mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground.
• Loose first, lift second.

Step 3: Raise and Support the Rear of the Truck

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the rear of your 1500 from the rear axle area.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under secure rear axle support points.
• Lower the truck gently onto the jack stands.
• Shake the truck lightly by hand to confirm it is stable before working.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 22mm socket to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat under the truck as an extra safety backup.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• Slide the caliper off the rotor.
• Support the caliper with a bungee cord or brake caliper hanger.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Use your hands or a small flathead screwdriver to lift the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Note how the pad wear indicator is positioned before removal.
• A wear indicator is a small metal tab that squeals when the pad is worn down.

Step 7: Remove the 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 rear knuckle.
• These bolts can be tight, so keep the socket fully seated.

Step 8: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the wheel hub by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet.
• Do not strike the wheel studs.
• If the rotor still will not move, confirm the electronic parking brake is fully retracted.

Step 9: Clean the Hub and Bracket

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face.
• Use brake cleaner spray to clean the hub and caliper bracket.
• Use the small flathead screwdriver to remove old pad clips from the bracket.
• Clean parts prevent brake noise.

Step 10: Install the New Rotor

• Clean the new rotor braking surfaces with brake cleaner spray.
• Slide the new rotor onto the wheel hub by hand.
• Hold it in place with one lug nut installed finger-tight using the 22mm socket.

Step 11: Install New Brake Hardware

• Snap the new pad clips from the rear brake hardware kit into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the pad clip contact points.
• Do not get lubricant on the rotor surface or pad friction material.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use an 18mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Use a disc brake piston compression tool to slowly push the caliper piston straight back into the caliper.
• A disc brake piston compression tool presses the piston back evenly so the new thicker pads fit.
• Go slowly and check that the rubber dust boot does not twist or tear.
• Do not force the piston if the electronic parking brake is not in service mode.

Step 14: Install the New Brake Pads

• Slide the new rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure each pad sits flat in the new clips.
• Apply a very thin coat of brake lubricant to the pad ears only.
• The pad ears are the small metal ends that slide in the bracket clips.

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 caliper 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 wheel.
• Always replace rear brake pads and rotors in pairs.

Step 17: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut holding each rotor using the 22mm socket.
• Install each wheel by hand.
• Start all lug nuts by hand before tightening.
• Use the 22mm 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 rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower the truck until the tires touch the ground.
• Use a 22mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 19: Exit Brake Service Mode

• Turn the ignition to RUN without starting the engine.
• Use the Uconnect screen and select Apps > Settings > Brakes > Brake Service.
• Follow the prompt to exit service mode.
• If using a scan tool, select Electronic Parking Brake > Service Mode / Apply / Exit.
• Wait until the parking brake motors finish moving.

Step 20: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly 5-10 times.
• The pedal should become firm.
• Do not drive until the brake pedal feels firm.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir and top off only if needed.
• ✅ Test the parking brake switch to confirm it applies and releases normally.
• ✅ Check behind both rear wheels for leaks or rubbing noises.
• ✅ Perform a slow test drive in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with several gentle stops from about 30 mph, letting the brakes cool between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.

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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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