🔧 Wrangler - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Wrangler means removing the rear wheels, unbolting the rear calipers, swapping the pads, and reinstalling everything correctly. This repair restores braking performance and helps prevent rotor damage from worn pads.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support your Wrangler with jack stands before removing any wheel.
• ⚠️ Never rely on a floor jack alone. A floor jack lifts the vehicle; jack stands hold it safely.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Wear safety glasses and gloves, and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Rear brake pads should be replaced as a left-and-right pair for even braking.
• ⚠️ The parking brake uses small internal drum-style shoes inside the rear rotor hat. Do not pull the parking brake lever while the rear calipers are removed.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this rear brake pad replacement.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 19mm lug nut socket
• 13mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger hook (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Wheel chocks
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Nitrile 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 pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Wrangler on a flat, solid surface.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of both front tires. Wheel chocks are wedges that stop the vehicle from rolling.
• ⚙️ Put the manual transmission in 1st gear.
• 🛑 Release the parking brake before lifting the rear. The parking brake acts inside the rear rotor and should not be applied during this job.
• 🔎 Check the brake fluid reservoir under the hood. If it is very full, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the caliper pistons.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Break them loose before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum under the rear axle tube near the side you are lifting.
• Lift the rear of your Wrangler high enough for the tire to clear the ground.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the rear axle tubes.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands and lightly shake the vehicle to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the lug nuts fully.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Caliper Bolts

• Look behind the rear brake caliper and find the two small caliper slide pin bolts.
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the upper and lower caliper bolts.
• A caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.

Step 5: Lift Off the Caliper

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver gently between the caliper and pad to create a little clearance.
• Slide the caliper off the rotor by hand.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension using a brake caliper hanger hook.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Pull the old rear brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to remove the old metal pad clips from the bracket.
• These clips are called abutment clips. They let the brake pads slide smoothly.

Step 7: Clean the Caliper Bracket

• Use a wire brush to clean the areas where the pad clips sit.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner spray to remove dust and debris.
• Let the cleaner dry before installing the new hardware.
• Clean contact points prevent brake noise.

Step 8: Install the New Pad Hardware

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

Step 9: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use a brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• The piston is the round metal part that pushes the brake pad.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston so it does not overflow.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure each pad sits flat and moves slightly in the hardware clips.
• The friction material should face the rotor.

Step 11: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Remove the brake caliper hanger hook and carefully lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the caliper bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the rear caliper slide pin bolts to Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 11 on the other rear wheel using the same tools.
• Always replace both rear sides during the same brake service.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each rear wheel back onto the hub by hand.
• Install the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 14: Lower and Torque the Wheels

• 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 your Wrangler until the tires touch the ground.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 129 Nm (95 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before moving the vehicle, sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal several times.
• The pedal may go low at first. Keep pumping until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back into position against the new pads.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed with the correct brake fluid listed on the reservoir cap.
• ✅ Start your Wrangler and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area. Confirm the vehicle stops straight and there are no grinding sounds.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads by making several gentle stops from about 30 mph, letting the brakes cool briefly between stops.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive: Torque to 129 Nm (95 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$420 USD equivalent (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$120 USD equivalent (parts only)

You Save: $175-$300 USD equivalent by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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