How to Replace Rear Brake Pads & Rotors on a 2020 Hyundai Palisade (EPB Service Mode)
Step-by-step DIY instructions with required tools/parts, EPB maintenance mode tips, and key torque specs for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
How to Replace Rear Brake Pads & Rotors on a 2020 Hyundai Palisade (EPB Service Mode)
Step-by-step DIY instructions with required tools/parts, EPB maintenance mode tips, and key torque specs for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
🔧 Palisade - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement
You’ll remove the rear wheels, swap the rear brake pads and rotors, then reassemble and torque everything correctly. The big “gotcha” on your Palisade is the parking brake: if you have an electronic parking brake (EPB), it must be put into service mode before you compress the caliper pistons.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.0-3.5 hours
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- ⚠️ Support the Palisade with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
- ⚠️ If your Palisade has an electronic parking brake (EPB) switch, you must retract it with a scan tool/service mode before pushing pistons in.
- ⚠️ Brakes may contain dust; avoid blowing with compressed air.
- ⚠️ Keep brake fluid off paint; it damages finishes fast.
- ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required, but keep the key away so the EPB can’t activate.
🔧 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
- Lug wrench
- Torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range)
- Ratchet
- 14mm socket
- 17mm socket
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flat trim tool
- Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
- Bungee cord
- Wire brush
- Rubber mallet
- Brake cleaner spray
- Shop towels
- Nitrile gloves
- Safety glasses
- OBD2 scan tool with Hyundai EPB service mode (specialty)
🔩 Required Parts
HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:
- Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
- Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2
- Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
- Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
- Brake anti-seize (hub face) - Qty: 1
- Brake fluid (DOT 3 or DOT 4) - Qty: 1 bottle
📋 Before You Begin
- Park on level ground, set the front wheels with wheel chocks, and keep the transmission in P.
- Release the parking brake before lifting (rear brakes can’t come apart if the parking brake is clamping them).
- Look at your center console: if you have a PARK button-style parking brake, that’s EPB and you’ll need OBD2 scan tool with Hyundai EPB service mode (specialty).
- Open the hood and remove the brake fluid reservoir cap loosely (helps pistons retract). Put a towel around it to catch any overflow.
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Lift and secure the rear
- Use a lug wrench to loosen rear lug nuts about 1/2 turn while on the ground.
- Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear at the correct jacking point.
- Set the vehicle onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) and shake-test for stability.
- Remove the wheels with a lug wrench.
Step 2: Put the parking brake system in the correct state
- If your Palisade has EPB: connect an OBD2 scan tool with Hyundai EPB service mode (specialty) and run the EPB maintenance/service mode to retract the rear calipers.
- If your Palisade does not have EPB: confirm the parking brake is fully released before you continue.
- Don’t compress pistons until EPB is retracted.
Step 3: Remove the rear caliper
- Turn the steering wheel is not needed for rear; just work straight on.
- Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to remove the two rear caliper slide/guide bolts.
- Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it using a bungee cord (do not let it hang by the hose).
Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware
- Pull the pads out by hand; use a flat trim tool if they’re stuck.
- Remove the pad clips/hardware from the bracket (usually lifts out). Clean the bracket contact areas using a wire brush and brake cleaner spray.
Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket
- Use a 17mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
- Set the bracket aside.
Step 6: Remove the rear rotor
- If equipped with a rotor retaining screw, remove it using a Phillips screwdriver.
- Pull the rotor off the hub. If it’s stuck, tap around the rotor hat with a rubber mallet to break rust loose.
- Clean the hub face with a wire brush and spray with brake cleaner spray.
- Apply a very thin film of brake anti-seize (hub face) to the hub face to reduce future sticking.
Step 7: Install the new rotor
- Clean both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner spray and shop towels (removes packing oil).
- Install the rotor onto the hub.
- If equipped with a retaining screw, install it using a Phillips screwdriver and Torque to 4.9 Nm (3.6 ft-lbs).
Step 8: Reinstall the caliper bracket
- Position the bracket and start bolts by hand.
- Tighten the bracket bolts using a 17mm socket and torque wrench.
- Torque to 78.5 Nm (57.9 ft-lbs).
Step 9: Install new pad hardware and pads
- Install new pad clips/hardware onto the bracket.
- Apply a light smear of brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) where the pad “ears” touch the clips (not on the friction surface).
- Install the new pads into the bracket.
Step 10: Compress the caliper piston
- Use a brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
- Watch the reservoir level under the hood; remove excess if it rises too high using shop towels.
- Go slow; fast can damage seals.
Step 11: Reinstall the caliper
- Slide the caliper over the new pads and bracket.
- Install the slide/guide bolts using a 14mm socket.
- Tighten using a torque wrench and Torque to 32.4 Nm (23.9 ft-lbs).
Step 12: Repeat on the other rear side
- Repeat Steps 3 through 11 for the opposite rear wheel.
- Always replace pads/rotors in pairs.
Step 13: Reinstall wheels and lower the Palisade
- Reinstall wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
- Lower the vehicle with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
- Use a torque wrench to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern.
- Torque to 117.7 Nm (86.8 ft-lbs).
Step 14: Exit EPB service mode (EPB-equipped only)
- Use the OBD2 scan tool with Hyundai EPB service mode (specialty) to exit maintenance/service mode and reapply/initialize EPB per the scan tool prompts.
✅ After Repair
- Before moving the Palisade, press the brake pedal firmly 10-15 times until it feels normal (this seats the pistons).
- Check brake fluid level and top off if needed with DOT 3 or DOT 4.
- Do a cautious test drive: confirm no grinding, pulling, or warning lights.
- Pad bed-in (break-in): do 6-8 moderate stops from 40 to 10 mph, with cool-down driving between stops (avoid sitting stopped with hot brakes).
- Recheck for leaks and re-torque lug nuts after 25-50 miles.
💰 DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: $550-$950 (parts + labor)
DIY Cost: $180-$420 (parts only)
You Save: $370-$530 by doing it yourself!
Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.
🎯 Ready to get started?
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