🔧 Explorer - Rear Brake and Rotor Replacement

Rear brake pads and rotors wear down together, so replacing both at the same time restores stopping power and helps prevent noise, vibration, and uneven braking. On your Explorer, the rear brakes may also require electronic parking brake service mode if equipped.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the vehicle securely with jack stands before removing any wheels.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• If your Explorer has an electronic parking brake, put it in service mode before starting.
• Brake parts and rotors can be hot after driving.
• Use a brake cleaner-safe area. Brake dust is harmful to breathe.
• If you disconnect the battery for any reason, you may need to reset vehicle settings afterward.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for vehicle weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug wrench or socket
• Ratchet
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord or caliper hanger
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Drain pan or catch tray
• 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 set
• Rear brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1 set
• Brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface and set the transmission in Park.
• Engage the parking brake only if you are not putting the system into service mode first.
• For electronic parking brake systems: Menu > Settings > Vehicle > Brake Maintenance Mode or use the EPB service function if equipped.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• Raise the rear and support it securely on jack stands.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen and lift the rear

• Use a 21mm lug wrench or socket to loosen both rear wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn each.
• Lift the rear of the Explorer with a floor jack and support it with jack stands.
• Remove both rear wheels.

Step 2: Put the parking brake system in service mode

• If equipped with an electronic parking brake, use the scan tool or vehicle menu to enter service mode.
• Use Menu > Settings > Vehicle > Brake Maintenance Mode if available.
• Never force the rear caliper back by hand on EPB systems.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use a 13mm socket to remove the rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord or caliper hanger.
• Torque on reassembly: Caliper slide pin bolts to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the brake pads and hardware

• Remove the inner and outer brake pads from the bracket.
• Take out the pad clips and hardware using a flat blade screwdriver.
• Clean the bracket with brake cleaner and a wire brush.
• Rust under the clips causes pad drag.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 15mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Torque on reassembly: Caliper bracket bolts to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor off the hub.
• If it sticks, tap around the rotor hat with a rubber mallet or use the built-in service holes if present.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush so the new rotor sits flat.
• A clean hub prevents rotor wobble.

Step 7: Install the new rotor and bracket

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner before installation.
• Install the new rotor on the hub.
• Reinstall the caliper bracket with a 15mm socket.
• Torque the bracket bolts to 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Install the new pads and compress the piston

• Install the new hardware clips and apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points.
• Install the new inner and outer pads.
• Use a brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty) to push the piston back in.
• If your Explorer has EPB, make sure service mode is active before compressing the piston.
• Compress the piston slowly and evenly.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper

• Reinstall the caliper over the new pads.
• Use a 13mm socket to install the slide pin bolts.
• Torque the slide pin bolts to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall the wheels

• Install both rear wheels by hand.
• Lower the vehicle and use a torque wrench with a 21mm socket to tighten the lug nuts.
• Torque the lug nuts to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Restore brake pressure and exit service mode

• Before moving the vehicle, press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• Exit electronic parking brake service mode using the scan tool or menu.
• Check that the parking brake works normally.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and confirm the brake warning lights are off.
• Check for noise, rubbing, or vibration during a slow test drive.
• Make several gentle stops to seat the new pads and rotors.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the first drive if desired.
• If the brake pedal feels soft, do not drive the vehicle until the issue is corrected.

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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?

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.