🔧 1500 - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads on your 1500. 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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Your 1500 uses an electronic parking brake, also called EPB. The rear calipers must be placed into brake service mode before removing the pads.
• ⚠️ Do not remove the rear caliper before EPB service mode is active. The parking brake motor can be damaged.
• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the truck with jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Wear safety glasses and gloves, and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not normally required for rear pad replacement if EPB service mode is used correctly.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 3-ton floor jack
• 3-ton jack stands
• 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
• 18mm socket
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Small wire brush
• Bungee cord
• Brake cleaner spray
• 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
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your 1500 on a flat, solid surface.
• Shift to Park and leave the ignition in RUN without starting the engine when entering brake service mode.
• Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Do not press the brake pedal while the rear calipers are removed.
• Brake service mode retracts the electronic parking brake so the rear caliper pistons can be compressed safely.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Rear Brakes in Service Mode

• Turn the ignition to RUN without starting the engine.
• On the Uconnect screen, use your finger to select Apps > Settings > Brakes > Brake Service.
• Select Yes when asked to retract the parking brake for brake service.
• Wait until the screen confirms that brake service mode is active.
• If your screen layout is different, use the physical steering wheel controls to check the cluster menu for Settings > Brakes > Brake Service.
• Listen for rear motor movement.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

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

Step 3: Raise and Support the Rear of the Truck

• Use a 3-ton floor jack under the rear axle tube near the side you are lifting.
• Raise the rear of your 1500 high enough to remove the wheels.
• Place 3-ton jack stands under solid rear axle support points.
• Lower the truck gently onto the jack stands.
• Keep the 3-ton floor jack lightly touching the axle as a backup.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 22mm lug nut socket to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.
• Work one side at a time.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper Guide Pin Bolts

• Use a 13mm socket on the caliper guide pin bolts.
• If the guide pin spins, hold it still with a 15mm wrench.
• Remove the upper and lower caliper guide pin bolts.
• A guide pin is the small sliding pin that lets the caliper move evenly as the pads wear.

Step 6: Lift Off and Support the Caliper

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver gently between the caliper and pad to make a little space.
• Slide the caliper off the rotor by hand.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension using a bungee cord.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry out the old stainless pad clips.
• Pad clips are small metal guides that help the brake pads slide smoothly.
• Note how the old pads and clips are positioned before removing them.

Step 8: Clean the Caliper Bracket

• Use a small wire brush to clean rust and dirt from the pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Spray the area with brake cleaner spray.
• Let the cleaner dry before applying lubricant.
• Clean slides prevent squeaks.

Step 9: Install New Pad Hardware

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

Step 10: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap under the hood by hand to let pressure release.
• Use a brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly push the rear caliper piston straight back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid level while compressing the piston. Remove excess fluid only if it gets close to overflowing.
• Do not twist the piston. With EPB service mode active, it should press straight in.

Step 11: Install the New Rear Pads

• Install the new rear brake pad set into the bracket by hand.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.
• The pads should slide smoothly in the new clips without being forced.

Step 12: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and position the caliper over the new pads by hand.
• Install the guide pin bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 13mm socket and hold the pin with a 15mm wrench if needed.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 12 on the other rear wheel.
• Use the same 13mm socket, 15mm wrench, flat-blade screwdriver, small wire brush, and brake caliper piston compressor tool.
• Rear brake pads should always be replaced in pairs.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install each rear wheel by hand.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand first.
• Use a 22mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Raise the truck slightly with the 3-ton floor jack, remove the 3-ton jack stands, and lower the truck fully.
• Use a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 22mm lug nut socket.
• Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Exit Brake Service Mode

• Turn the ignition to RUN without starting the engine.
• Use the Uconnect screen and select Apps > Settings > Brakes > Brake Service.
• Select the option to disable or exit brake service mode.
• Wait for the screen to confirm normal parking brake operation.

Step 16: Seat the Brake Pads

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back out against the new pads.
• Reinstall the brake fluid reservoir cap by hand.
• Check that the brake pedal is firm before shifting out of Park.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your 1500 and check for brake warning lights.
• ✅ Test the parking brake switch once to confirm it applies and releases normally.
• ✅ Before driving, press the brake pedal again to make sure it is firm.
• ✅ Drive slowly in a safe area and make several gentle stops.
• ✅ For the first 200 miles, avoid hard braking unless it is an emergency.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles: Torque to 176 Nm (130 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$310 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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