🔧 F-150 - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This job replaces the rear brake pads on your F-150. The rear calipers must be moved out of the way, the old pads removed, and the caliper pistons compressed so the new pads fit correctly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool vehicle. Brake parts can get very hot after driving.
• ⚠️ Support your F-150 with jack stands. Never work under or beside a vehicle held only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Chock the front wheels so the truck cannot roll.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air. Use brake cleaner and a shop towel.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a rear caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Your F-150 uses a rear electric parking brake on many 2019 models. The parking brake must be placed in service/maintenance mode before rear pad replacement.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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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
• 21mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 13mm socket
• 15mm wrench
• 18mm socket
• Disc brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake cleaner
• Shop towels
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord
• 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 caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your F-150 on level ground.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of both front tires.
• 🔓 Make sure the parking brake is released before starting maintenance mode.
• 🛞 Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• 📘 A caliper is the clamp-like brake part that squeezes the pads against the rotor.
• 🔧 A torque wrench tightens bolts to a measured amount so they are not too loose or too tight.
• ⚙️ A scan tool is not usually required because Ford provides a pedal/switch sequence for rear parking brake service mode.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Electric Parking Brake in Maintenance Mode

• Sit in your F-150 with the doors closed.
• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Press and hold the accelerator pedal all the way down.
• Push and hold the electric parking brake switch downward in the release position.
• While holding both, turn the ignition OFF, then turn it back ON within about 5 seconds.
• Keep holding the accelerator pedal and parking brake switch until the parking brake system enters maintenance mode and the dash displays a parking brake maintenance/service message.
• Release the accelerator pedal and parking brake switch.
• Turn the ignition OFF.
• Do not skip this step.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.

Step 3: Lift and Support the Rear of the Truck

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear of your F-150 at the rear axle area or approved rear jacking point.
• Place jack stands under solid rear axle support points.
• Lower the truck gently onto the jack stands.
• Lightly shake the truck by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.
• Work on one side at a time.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use a 13mm socket to remove the two rear caliper guide pin bolts.
• If the guide pin spins, hold it steady with a 15mm wrench while loosening the bolt with the 13mm socket.
• Slide the caliper off the bracket.
• Use a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Use your hands or a flat-blade screwdriver to remove the old inner and outer brake pads from the caliper bracket.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to remove the old pad clips from the bracket.
• Pad clips are thin metal guides that help the pads slide smoothly.

Step 7: Clean the Caliper Bracket

• Use brake cleaner and shop towels to clean the caliper bracket.
• Use a wire brush to clean the areas where the pad clips sit.
• Keep brake cleaner away from painted surfaces.
• Clean clips prevent brake noise.

Step 8: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Place the old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use a disc brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
• Compress the piston straight and slowly.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir under the hood. If it gets close to overflowing, stop and remove a small amount with an appropriate fluid-safe method.
• Do not twist the piston unless your tool instructions require it for the caliper design.

Step 9: Install New Pad Hardware

• Install the new rear brake pad hardware kit clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a very thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the contact points where the pad ears touch the clips.
• Do not get grease on the rotor or pad friction material.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new inner and outer rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads move smoothly in the clips.
• If a pad is tight, remove it and clean the bracket again with the wire brush.

Step 11: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Position the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both caliper guide pin bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 13mm socket and 15mm wrench as needed to tighten the guide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 11 on the other rear wheel.
• Use the same 13mm socket, 15mm wrench, brake cleaner, wire brush, and disc brake caliper piston compressor tool.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each wheel back onto the hub.
• Install the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 14: Lower the Truck and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your F-150 fully to the ground.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 21mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Exit Electric Parking Brake Maintenance Mode

• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Press and hold the accelerator pedal all the way down.
• Pull and hold the electric parking brake switch upward in the apply position.
• While holding both, turn the ignition OFF, then turn it back ON within about 5 seconds.
• Keep holding until the parking brake exits maintenance mode and the dash message clears.
• Release the pedal and switch.

Step 16: Pump the Brake Pedal

• With the truck still parked, press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the pedal feels firm.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your F-150 and confirm no brake warning messages remain on the dash.
• ✅ Test the electric parking brake. Apply it, then release it.
• ✅ Check around both rear calipers for brake fluid leaks.
• ✅ Drive slowly in a safe area and test the brakes gently.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with several gentle stops from moderate speed. Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck rear lug nut torque after a short drive: Torque to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $205-$330 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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