🔧 Canyon - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the rear disc brake pads on your Canyon. Rear pads wear down over time and can cause squealing, grinding, longer stops, or uneven braking if they are not replaced.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and support your Canyon with jack stands. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the calipers are removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ The rear caliper piston must be pushed straight back with a disc brake piston tool or C-clamp.
• ⚠️ Keep brake fluid off paint. It can damage painted surfaces quickly.
• ⚠️ 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:

• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• 15mm wrench
• 13mm socket
• Torque wrench 10-150 ft-lb range
• Disc brake piston tool (specialty)
• C-clamp 6-inch
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Small wire brush
• Brake cleaner aerosol
• Shop towels
• 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 aerosol - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Canyon on level ground.
• Place the manual transmission in 1st gear or Reverse.
• Release the parking brake before lifting the rear wheels. The parking brake uses the rear brakes and must be off for service.
• Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks so the truck cannot roll.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• Open the brake fluid reservoir cap under the hood. This helps fluid move back into the reservoir when the caliper piston is compressed.
• If the brake fluid reservoir is completely full, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool or clean towel corner before pushing the pistons back.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet to loosen each rear lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Tip: Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Truck

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the rear of your Canyon from the rear axle housing area.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under solid rear axle support points.
• Lower the truck gently onto the jack stands.
• Use your hands to lightly shake the truck. It should feel stable before you work near the wheels.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.
• Slide one wheel under the frame as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Brake Caliper Bolts

• Look at the back side of the rear brake caliper. The caliper is the metal clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.
• Use a 15mm wrench to hold the caliper slide pin if it spins.
• Use a 13mm socket and ratchet to remove the upper and lower caliper guide pin bolts.
• Set the bolts aside in a clean place.

Step 5: Lift the Caliper Off the Bracket

• Use a flat blade screwdriver carefully between the caliper and pad to create a small gap.
• Lift the caliper off the brake pads and rotor.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.
• Rest the caliper on the leaf spring or support it securely with a bungee cord if available.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Use your hands to slide the old rear brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Use the flat blade screwdriver to gently pry out the old stainless brake pad clips.
• The clips are thin metal guides that help the pads slide smoothly.
• Use the small wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner aerosol and wipe with shop towels.

Step 7: Inspect the Rotor and Slide Pins

• Look at the rotor surface. The rotor is the round disc the brake pads squeeze.
• If the rotor has deep grooves, heavy rust, blue heat spots, or a raised outer lip, replace or resurface it before installing new pads.
• Pull the slide pins out by hand and check that they move smoothly.
• Wipe the pins with shop towels.
• Apply a light coat of brake caliper slide pin grease to the smooth pin surfaces only.
• Do not put grease on the brake pad friction material or rotor face.

Step 8: Install the New Brake Pad Hardware

• Use your hands to snap the new brake pad clips into the caliper bracket.
• Make sure each clip sits fully flat and locked in place.
• Apply a very thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the pad ears where they touch the clips.
• The pad ears are the small metal tabs on each end of the brake pad backing plate.

Step 9: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use the disc brake piston tool or 6-inch C-clamp to slowly push the piston straight back into the caliper bore.
• The piston is the round part inside the caliper that pushes the inner pad.
• Go slowly and check the brake fluid reservoir under the hood so it does not overflow.
• If fluid rises too high, remove a small amount carefully with a clean towel corner.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Use your hands to slide the new inner and outer brake pads into the caliper bracket.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.
• The pads should move smoothly in the clips without being loose.
• Tip: If forced, something is misaligned.

Step 11: Reinstall the Rear Brake Caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new brake pads by hand.
• If the caliper will not fit, use the disc brake piston tool or 6-inch C-clamp to compress the piston a little farther.
• Install the upper and lower caliper guide pin bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 15mm wrench to hold the slide pin if needed.
• Use the 13mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the caliper guide pin bolts to Torque to 42 Nm (31 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 11 on the other rear wheel.
• Always replace rear brake pads as a set on both sides.
• This keeps braking even and predictable.

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 21mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Do not fully torque them while the truck is still in the air.

Step 14: Lower the Truck and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to raise the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your Canyon until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly several times.
• The pedal may go low at first, then become firm.
• Do not drive until the brake pedal feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir and set the level between MIN and MAX.
• Reinstall the brake fluid reservoir cap by hand.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Canyon and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm and steady.
• ✅ Test the brakes at very low speed in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Listen for grinding, scraping, or clicking noises.
• ✅ Recheck the brake fluid level after the first short drive.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads: make 8-10 moderate stops from about 30-35 mph, allowing time between stops for cooling.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs) after 25-50 miles.

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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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🎯 Ready to get started?

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