🔧 Tucson - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This job replaces the rear brake pads on your Tucson. The rear caliper must be removed from the bracket, the piston must be compressed, and the new pads must be installed correctly so the brakes work quietly and safely.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and support your Tucson with jack stands before putting any body part near the wheels.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Wear a dust mask and use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Keep brake grease off the pad friction surface and rotor face.
• ⚠️ Your Tucson uses a conventional hand/foot parking brake system on this trim, not an electronic parking brake service mode.
• ⚠️ 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 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Ratchet wrench, 3/8-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 17mm open-end wrench
• Torque wrench, 10-150 ft-lb range
• C-clamp or disc brake piston compression tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Bungee cord or mechanics wire
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

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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 spray - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Tucson on level ground.
• Place the transmission in Park.
• Do not set the parking brake, because the rear brakes need to be free.
• Place wheel chocks in front of and behind the front wheels. Wheel chocks are wedges that stop the vehicle from rolling.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If it is very full, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the caliper piston.
• Work on one rear side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen before lifting the vehicle.

Step 2: Lift and support the rear of the vehicle

• Use a floor jack at the rear center jacking point or approved rear side jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear support points.
• Lower your Tucson gently onto the jack stands.
• Shake the vehicle lightly by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the rear wheel

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove the rear wheel and place it flat under the side of the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Inspect the brake layout

• Put on safety glasses, nitrile gloves, and a dust mask.
• Look at the caliper, pads, rotor, rubber brake hose, and slide pins before removing anything.
• The caliper is the clamp-shaped part that squeezes the pads against the rotor.

Step 5: Remove the lower caliper bolt

• Use a 14mm socket on the lower caliper bolt.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it with a 17mm open-end wrench.
• Remove the lower caliper bolt and set it aside.

Step 6: Swing the caliper upward

• Use your hands to swing the caliper upward off the brake pads.
• If it is stuck, use a flat-blade screwdriver gently between the caliper and pad backing plate.
• Support the caliper with a bungee cord or mechanics wire.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the old brake pads

• Slide the old inner and outer pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• If they are tight, use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry them out.
• Note where any wear indicator is located before removal.

Step 8: Remove and clean the pad hardware

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to lift the old metal pad clips out of the caliper bracket.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust and dirt from the bracket where the clips sit.
• Spray the bracket area with brake cleaner spray and wipe it with shop towels.
• The pad hardware clips are thin stainless clips that let the pads slide smoothly.

Step 9: Install the new pad hardware

• Press the new rear brake pad hardware kit clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure each clip sits fully flat in the bracket.
• Apply a very thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the areas where the pad ears touch the clips.
• Do not get grease on the rotor or pad friction material.

Step 10: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use a C-clamp or disc brake piston compression tool to slowly push the piston straight back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston so it does not overflow.
• The piston is the round metal part inside the caliper that pushes the brake pad.
• Go slow to protect seals.

Step 11: Install the new rear brake pads

• Slide the new inner and outer rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pad ears sit inside the new hardware clips.
• The friction material must face the rotor.

Step 12: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads by hand.
• If the caliper does not fit, use the C-clamp or disc brake piston compression tool to compress the piston a little farther.
• Install the lower caliper bolt by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and 17mm open-end wrench if needed to tighten the lower caliper bolt.
• Torque to 22-32 Nm (16-24 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the other rear side

• Use the same tools and steps on the opposite rear wheel.
• Replace rear pads in pairs. Do not replace only one side.

Step 14: Reinstall the rear wheels

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

Step 15: Lower the vehicle and torque the lug nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise your Tucson slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
• Use a torque wrench and 21mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 107-127 Nm (79-94 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Pump the brake pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and slowly 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

• Check the brake fluid level and adjust it to the correct mark if needed.
• Look behind both rear wheels for leaks before driving.
• Test drive slowly in a safe area and confirm the brake pedal feels normal.
• Bed in the new pads with several gentle stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, allowing a short cooling period between stops.
• Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless it is an emergency.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$380 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$110 (parts only)

You Save: $175-$270 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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