🔧 1500 - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your 1500 means removing the rear wheels, retracting the rear caliper pistons, swapping the pads, and reinstalling everything safely. Your 1500 uses an electronic parking brake, so the rear brakes must be placed into service mode before the calipers are removed.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Do not remove the rear calipers until the electronic parking brake is in service mode.
• ⚠️ Work on a cool brake system. Hot rotors and calipers can burn skin.
• ⚠️ Support your 1500 with jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the rear calipers are removed.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this 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
• 22mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 13mm socket
• 15mm wrench
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Small wire brush
• Bungee cord
• Brake cleaner spray
• Drain pan
• 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 lubricant - Qty: 1
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 pint

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your 1500 on level ground and leave the transmission in Park.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• Release the parking brake before starting the electronic parking brake service mode procedure.
• Electronic parking brake service mode pulls the parking brake motors back so the caliper pistons can be compressed safely.
• Use the instrument cluster menu to enter service mode: Settings > Brakes > Brake Service Mode.
• If your screen asks for confirmation, select Yes and wait for the message that service mode is active.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the rear brakes into service mode

• Use the steering wheel controls to open the instrument cluster menu.
• Select Settings > Brakes > Brake Service Mode.
• Confirm the prompt using the steering wheel OK button.
• Wait until the cluster shows that brake service mode is active.
• Listen for the rear motors.

Step 2: Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts

• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still on the ground so the wheels do not spin.

Step 3: Raise and support the rear of the truck

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of your 1500 at the rear axle center section.
• Place jack stands under the rear axle tubes, one on each side.
• Lower the truck gently onto the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Shake the truck lightly by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 4: Remove the rear wheels

• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the truck as an added safety backup.

Step 5: Remove the rear caliper slide bolts

• Work on one side at a time so the other side can be used as a visual reference.
• Use the 15mm wrench to hold the slide pin steady.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the upper and lower caliper slide bolts.
• A slide pin is the smooth pin the caliper moves on as the pads wear.

Step 6: Lift off and support the caliper

• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry the caliper outward if it feels tight.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket by hand.
• Use the bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the old rear brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to remove the old stainless pad clips from the bracket.
• Place the old pads in a drain pan to keep brake dust and residue contained.

Step 8: Clean the caliper bracket

• Use the small wire brush to clean the areas where the pad clips sit.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner spray and let it dry.
• Brake cleaner removes dust and oil so the new pads can move freely.
• Clean metal helps prevent squeaks.

Step 9: Install the new pad hardware

• Snap the new rear brake pad hardware kit clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the pad contact points on the clips.
• Do not put lubricant on the pad friction material or rotor face.

Step 10: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Use the brake caliper piston compression tool to slowly push the caliper piston straight back into the caliper.
• A caliper piston is the round part that pushes the brake pad against the rotor.
• Go slowly so brake fluid can return to the master cylinder without overflowing.
• If brake fluid gets near the top of the reservoir, remove a small amount using a clean suitable suction tool before continuing.

Step 11: Install the new rear brake pads

• Install the new rear brake pad set into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads slide smoothly in the new clips.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver only for gentle alignment if needed.

Step 12: Reinstall the rear caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and lower the caliper over the new pads by hand.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to install the caliper slide bolts.
• Use the 15mm wrench to hold the slide pins while tightening.
• Use the 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the rear caliper slide bolts to Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the other rear side

• Use the same tools and steps to replace the pads on the opposite rear brake.
• Always replace rear brake pads in pairs so braking stays even.

Step 14: Reinstall the rear wheels

• Put the wheels back on by hand.
• Use the 22mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• A star pattern means tightening across the wheel instead of going around in a circle.

Step 15: Lower the truck and torque the wheels

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear axle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your 1500 to the ground using the floor jack.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 22mm lug nut socket to tighten the rear lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Exit brake service mode

• Use the steering wheel controls to return to Settings > Brakes > Brake Service Mode.
• Select the option to turn service mode off.
• Wait until the instrument cluster confirms normal brake operation.

Step 17: Pump the brake pedal

• With the engine off, press the brake pedal slowly 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 top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• ✅ Start your 1500 and confirm there are no brake warning messages.
• ✅ Test the parking brake on level ground before driving normally.
• ✅ Perform a slow test drive in a safe area and confirm the pedal feels firm.
• ✅ Bed in the pads with 8-10 gentle stops from about 30 mph, allowing cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.

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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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