🔧 Tucson - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads on your Tucson. Rear pads wear down over time and should be replaced before the friction material gets too thin or damages the rotors.

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

Assumption: This covers stock rear disc brakes. If your Tucson has an electronic parking brake, use the EPB steps below before compressing the caliper.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Work on a flat, solid surface and support your Tucson with jack stands before removing wheels.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and gloves. Brake dust can irritate skin and eyes.
• 🔥 Do not work on hot brakes. Let the vehicle cool first.
• ⚠️ Never press the brake pedal while a rear caliper is removed.
• 🔋 If equipped with an electronic parking brake, place it in service mode before removing the rear calipers.
• 🚫 Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose. Support it with a bungee cord or wire.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 21mm lug nut socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm open-end wrench
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• Torque wrench rated 20-150 ft-lbs
• Rear brake caliper wind-back tool (specialty)
• Disc brake pad spreader tool
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Bungee cord
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop rags
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• OBD scan tool with EPB service function (specialty)

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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
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• DOT 4 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Tucson on level ground.
• 🧱 Chock the front wheels so the vehicle cannot roll.
• 🔓 Release the parking brake before lifting the rear of the vehicle.
• 🧪 Open the brake fluid reservoir cap. If the fluid is near the top, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool so it does not overflow when the caliper piston is compressed.
• 🔌 If equipped with an electronic parking brake, use an OBD scan tool with EPB service function. “EPB” means electronic parking brake, which uses a motor instead of a cable.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts about 1/2 turn while the tires are still on the ground.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Tip: Break them loose before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the rear of your Tucson at the rear center lift point or approved side lift point.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the approved rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Use wheel chocks at the front 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.

Step 4: Put EPB in Service Mode if Equipped

• If your Tucson has a regular hand/foot parking brake, skip to Step 5.
• If equipped with an electronic parking brake, connect the OBD scan tool with EPB service function.
• Use the scan tool menu: EPB > Maintenance Mode > Rear Brake Pad Replacement > Retract.
• Wait until the tool confirms the rear parking brake motors are fully retracted.
• Do not unplug the scan tool until the retract process is complete.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper Lower and Upper Bolts

• Use a 14mm socket on the caliper guide pin bolts.
• If the guide pin spins, hold it steady with a 17mm open-end wrench.
• Remove the upper and lower caliper bolts.
• A guide pin is the smooth sliding pin that lets the caliper move evenly as the brakes apply.

Step 6: Lift the Caliper Off the Pads

• Use a flat blade screwdriver gently between the caliper and pad to create a little space.
• Slide the caliper off the bracket.
• Support the caliper with a bungee cord.
• Do not twist, stretch, or hang the caliper by the rubber brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Pull the old pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use needle-nose pliers or a flat blade screwdriver to remove the old pad clips.
• Pad clips are thin metal retainers that help the pads slide smoothly and quietly.
• Spray the bracket area with brake cleaner spray and wipe with shop rags.

Step 8: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• For a regular parking brake caliper, use the rear brake caliper wind-back tool to turn and push the piston back into the caliper at the same time.
• For an EPB caliper already retracted by scan tool, use a disc brake pad spreader tool to gently push the piston straight back.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston. Use shop rags to catch any overflow.
• Make sure the piston boot does not twist or tear.
• Tip: Go slow and keep it straight.

Step 9: Install New Pad Hardware

• Install the new rear brake pad hardware kit into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use brake lubricant lightly on the pad ears where they contact the clips.
• Do not put grease on the pad friction surface or rotor face.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new rear brake pad set into the caliper bracket.
• Use your hands to confirm the pads move smoothly in the clips.
• If a pad has a wear indicator tab, place it in the same style position as the original pad.

Step 11: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads by hand.
• Install the caliper guide pin bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and 17mm open-end wrench as needed.
• Tighten the rear caliper guide pin bolts to 34-44 Nm (25-32 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 11 on the other rear brake.
• Always replace rear brake pads as a left-and-right pair.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place the wheels back onto the hubs.
• Thread the lug nuts on by hand.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 14: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower your Tucson to the ground.
• Use a torque wrench rated 20-150 ft-lbs with the 21mm lug nut socket.
• Tighten the rear lug nuts in a star pattern to 108-128 Nm (80-94 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Restore EPB if Equipped

• If your Tucson has EPB, use the OBD scan tool with EPB service function.
• Use the scan tool menu: EPB > Maintenance Mode > Rear Brake Pad Replacement > Exit/Apply.
• Wait for the scan tool to confirm the EPB has learned its normal position.

Step 16: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before driving, sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly several times.
• The pedal may go low at first. Keep pumping until it feels firm.
• Use DOT 4 brake fluid if the reservoir needs topping off.
• Install the brake fluid reservoir cap securely.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Tucson and confirm the brake pedal feels firm before shifting out of Park.
• 🅿️ Apply and release the parking brake several times to confirm normal operation.
• 🔍 Check around both rear calipers for fluid leaks.
• 🧪 Test drive slowly in a safe area. Make several gentle stops from low speed.
• 🛑 Bed in the new pads with 8-10 moderate stops from about 30 mph, allowing short cooling time between stops.
• 🚫 Avoid hard panic stops for the first 100-200 miles unless needed for safety.
• 🔧 Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive using the torque wrench rated 20-150 ft-lbs.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

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

You Save: $130-$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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