How to Change Rear Disk Brake Pads

Although rear disc brakes only provide 25% braking capacity for a vehicle, the pads are smaller and thinner than front disc brake pads. Rear disc brakes can provide more consistent braking power to a vehicle than rear drum brakes, most often require less maintenance (concerning constant cleaning and adjusting) than rear drum brakes, and are easier to replace than rear drum brakes. Different makes and models use different types of calipers. To ensure you're removing the calipers correctly to replace the pads, always refer to a repair manual for the specific vehicle you're working on.

Instructions

1

Lift the rear of the vehicle or the entire vehicle and remove the rear hub caps, lug nuts (using the impact gun and a socket), and wheels.

2

Locate the caliper bolts and remove the with a hand ratchet and a socket. Some imports may have a pivoting caliper, meaning the only the lower caliper bolt is removed and the caliper pivots on the upper bolt and slides off. Refer to the repair manual for the specific vehicle you're working on.

3

Hang the caliper from a metal hanger or hook to the rear suspension or frame.

4

Use the proper compression device to compress the caliper piston inward. A set of large channel locks can be used or a large C-clamp. Some imports require a caliper reset tool to screw the piston of the caliper inward clockwise. Refer to the repair manual for the correct procedure. Compress the piston until it is fully seated inside the caliper piston bore. Reposition the caliper piston boot if necessary by pressing it back into place or pulling it away from the piston with your fingers to let a trapped air bubble out.

5

Remove the pads from the caliper or the caliper bridge and discard them.

6

Remove the old hardware from the caliper bridge if applicable. Inspect the rubber boots for the caliper slides and replace any damaged or worn boots. If necessary, clean the surface of the caliper slides using a wire brush wheel on a bench grinder.

7

Use the acid brush to spread some brake lubricant or anti-seize compound to the bridge where the old hardware/rattle clips were removed from. Install the new rattle clips and apply another coat of lubricant to the tops of the clips.

8

Place the shims on the pads if not they're not on already, and then install the pads into the bridge or the caliper.

9

Apply a coat of lubricant to the caliper slides before reinstalling the caliper. Some vehicles use a combination slide and caliper bolt as one components. Other may use a smaller bolt and a separate set of slides. For those types, remove the slides, clean them on the wire brush wheel if needed, and then coat them with lubricant before replacing them in the caliper.

10

Replace the caliper and tighten the caliper bolts. Repeat steps 2-10 for the other rear wheel.

11

Replace the wheel and lug nuts. Torque the lug nuts with the gun and an appropriate torque stick for the vehicle (a hand torque wrench is often recommended if available).

12

Pump the foot brake pedal to seat the pads to the rotors and restore pressure to the caliper pistons. Check and adjust the brake fluid level in the master cylinder before test driving.