🔧 Escape - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads requires placing the electric parking brake, or EPB, in maintenance mode before compressing the caliper pistons. Replace the pads on both rear wheels so braking remains balanced.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Put the EPB in maintenance mode before removing either rear caliper.
• ⚠️ Never operate the EPB switch while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Support your Escape with jack stands. Never work beneath a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while either caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Do not use compressed air to clean it.
• ⚠️ Do not disconnect the battery; electrical power is required to enter and exit EPB maintenance mode.
• ⚠️ Keep grease and brake cleaner away from pad friction material and rotor faces.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 7mm hex-bit socket
• 19mm deep socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated 30-150 ft-lbs
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench rated 10-80 ft-lbs
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Small flat-blade screwdriver
• Nylon brake cleaning brush
• Brake caliper hanger hook (specialty)
• Low-profile floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks rated for passenger vehicles
• Drain pan rated 2-quart minimum
• Nitrile mechanic gloves
• ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1 set for both rear wheels
• Rear brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• High-temperature silicone brake lubricant - Qty: 1 tube
• Non-chlorinated brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can

Replace in pairs: Always replace the pads on both rear wheels.

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📋 Before You Begin

• 📍 Park your Escape on firm, level ground with the transmission in Park.
• 🛞 Keep the rear wheels installed while entering EPB maintenance mode.
• 🔋 Make sure the battery is adequately charged. Do not connect or disconnect a charger during the mode-change sequence.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks securely in front of and behind one front tire.
• 🧤 Allow the brakes to cool completely before touching them.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Enter EPB Maintenance Mode

• Sit in the driver’s seat and switch the ignition on without starting the engine. On push-button vehicles, press the start button without pressing the brake pedal.
• Use the EPB switch to release the parking brake.
• Switch the ignition off.
• Press the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and hold it there.
• Push the EPB switch downward into the release position and keep holding it.
• While holding both controls, switch the ignition on and then off within five seconds. Switch it on again while continuing to hold both controls.
• Release the accelerator pedal and EPB switch when the instrument panel displays Parking Brake Maintenance Mode or indicates that maintenance mode is active.
• Listen for the rear EPB motors retracting. This places the actuators in their service position.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Wheel Nuts

• Use a 19mm deep socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear wheel nut about one-half turn.
• Do not remove the nuts while your Escape is still on the ground.

Step 3: Raise and Support the Rear

• Position the low-profile floor jack rated 2-ton minimum under the approved rear lifting point.
• Raise one side and place a jack stand rated 2-ton minimum beneath the reinforced pinch-weld support point. Repeat on the opposite side.
• Lower your Escape gently onto both stands and confirm it is stable before continuing.
• Give the body a gentle stability check.

Step 4: Remove Both Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm deep socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to remove the wheel nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat away from your work area.

Step 5: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Put on ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses and nitrile mechanic gloves.
• Place the drain pan rated 2-quart minimum beneath the brake assembly.
• Use non-chlorinated brake cleaner and the nylon brake cleaning brush to remove loose dust.
• Check the rotor for deep grooves, blue heat spots, cracks, or a heavy outer lip. Damaged or undersized rotors must be replaced or professionally measured before installing pads.
• Inspect the caliper, brake hose, and EPB motor area for fluid leaks or damaged wiring.

Step 6: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use the small flat-blade screwdriver to remove the guide-pin dust caps without tearing them.
• Use the 7mm hex-bit socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the upper and lower caliper guide-pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper away from the carrier. Do not pull or twist the brake hose or EPB wiring.
• Support the caliper with the brake caliper hanger hook.
• Do not let the caliper hang from its hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Pads and Hardware

• Pull the inner and outer pads from the caliper carrier by hand.
• Use the small flat-blade screwdriver to remove the old stainless pad-support clips.
• Note the orientation of the inner and outer pads before discarding them.
• Uneven pad wear can indicate seized guide pins or a sticking caliper. Correct that problem before installing new pads.

Step 8: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Check the brake-fluid reservoir under the hood. If it is near the maximum line, monitor it closely so it does not overflow.
• Place an old brake pad against the piston face.
• Use the brake caliper piston compression tool to press the piston slowly and straight into the caliper bore.
• Because the EPB is in maintenance mode, the piston should compress without being rotated.
• Stop if the piston will not move with moderate pressure. Do not force it or rotate it with pliers.

Step 9: Clean and Lubricate the Contact Points

• Use non-chlorinated brake cleaner and the nylon brake cleaning brush to clean the pad-support areas on the carrier.
• Install the new rear brake pad hardware by hand.
• Apply a very thin layer of high-temperature silicone brake lubricant where the pad tabs contact the hardware.
• Do not apply lubricant to the rotor or pad friction surfaces.
• Check that both guide pins move smoothly and that their rubber boots are intact.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Pads

• Install the new inner and outer pads into the carrier by hand.
• Confirm the friction material faces the rotor and each pad slides freely in its hardware.
• Place the caliper over the new pads without twisting the brake hose.

Step 11: Tighten the Caliper Guide Bolts

• Start both guide-pin bolts by hand to prevent cross-threading.
• Use the 7mm hex-bit socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten both bolts to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the guide-pin dust caps by hand.
• Repeat Steps 5-11 on the opposite rear wheel.

Step 12: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install each wheel and start all wheel nuts by hand.
• Use the 19mm deep socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to snug the nuts in a crisscross pattern.
• Use the low-profile floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise your Escape slightly and remove the jack stands.
• Lower the tires to the ground.
• Use the 19mm deep socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the wheel nuts in a crisscross pattern to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Exit EPB Maintenance Mode

• Switch the ignition off.
• Press the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and hold it.
• Pull the EPB switch upward into the apply position and keep holding it.
• Switch the ignition on and then off within five seconds. Switch it on again while continuing to hold both controls.
• Release both controls when the maintenance-mode message disappears and the EPB motors finish operating.
• Use the EPB switch to apply and release the parking brake once. Confirm the warning light responds normally.

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✅ After Repair

• 🦶 Before moving your Escape, press and release the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• 🔍 Check the brake-fluid level and inspect both calipers for leaks.
• 🅿️ Apply and release the EPB several times. Confirm it holds the vehicle and no warning message appears.
• 🚗 Perform a slow test in a safe area. Check pedal feel and listen for abnormal scraping or knocking.
• 🌡️ Bed in the pads with several moderate stops from approximately 50 km/h to 15 km/h, allowing cooling time between stops. Avoid emergency stops unless necessary.
• 🔧 Recheck wheel-nut torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs) after approximately 80-160 km.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹7,000-₹14,000 (parts + labor in the Panipat area)

DIY Cost: ₹3,000-₹7,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹4,000-₹7,000 by doing it yourself!

Local labor rates vary. This repair takes a shop approximately 1-1.5 hours.

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