🔧 Rear Brake Pads & Rotors - Replacement

Your rear pads and rotors wear together, so replacing both at the same time gives the best pedal feel and braking performance. On your Explorer, the rear caliper setup may require parking brake service mode before you push the piston back in.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on level ground and chock the front wheels.
• Use jack stands. Never rely on a jack alone.
• If your rear parking brake is electronic, put it in service mode before compressing the caliper piston.
• Brake parts may be hot and dusty. Avoid breathing brake dust.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.

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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
• Breaker bar
• 19mm socket
• 13mm socket
• Torx T50 socket
• Torque wrench
• Ratchet
• Bungee cord or mechanic's wire
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Scan tool with parking brake service mode
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• 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
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and engage the parking brake before lifting.
• Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts slightly before raising the vehicle.
• If equipped with an electronic parking brake, use Scan tool > Parking Brake > Service Mode before starting.
• Keep the key fob away from the vehicle if the parking brake system is active.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the rear of the vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of the Explorer at the approved lift points.
• Support both sides with jack stands and keep the front wheels blocked with wheel chocks.
• Remove the rear wheels with a 19mm socket.

Step 2: Put the parking brake in service mode

• If equipped, use the scan tool to enter parking brake service mode.
• This opens the rear calipers so the piston can be compressed safely.
• Do not skip this step on EPB-equipped brakes.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper

• Use a 13mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a bungee cord.
• Remove the old brake pads and hardware.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket and rotor

• Use a Torx T50 socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the rotor. If it is stuck, tap it gently from the back side and apply brake cleaner around the hub.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush until it is smooth and free of rust.

Step 5: Install the new rotor and bracket

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove shipping oil.
• Install the rotor on the hub.
• Reinstall the caliper bracket with a Torx T50 socket and Torque to 184 Nm (136 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Install pads and compress the caliper piston

• Install the new pad hardware from the brake hardware kit.
• Use the brake caliper compression tool to push the piston fully back in.
• Install the new brake pads into the bracket.
• Reinstall the caliper and tighten the slide pin bolts with a 13mm socket to Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel

• Mount the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts with a 19mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 165 Nm (122 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Exit parking brake service mode

• If equipped, use the scan tool to exit parking brake service mode.
• Cycle the ignition and confirm the parking brake warning light clears.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the vehicle.
• Check brake fluid level.
• Test drive at low speed first.
• Listen for rubbing, grinding, or clicking.
• New pads and rotors need a short break-in period. Use smooth 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 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.