🔧 Explorer - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Explorer involves removing both rear calipers, compressing their pistons, and installing new pads and hardware. The parking brake uses a separate drum-style mechanism, so the caliper pistons press straight inward without being rotated.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level, solid ground and support your Explorer with jack stands. Never rely only on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake before removing the rear calipers. Secure the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Do not use compressed air or inhale the dust.
• ⚠️ Never press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Do not allow a caliper to hang from its rubber brake hose.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid damages paint. Clean spills immediately and keep the reservoir from overflowing.
• Battery disconnection is not required for this repair.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 2-ton floor jack
• 2-ton jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm deep socket
• 11mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench rated 10-80 ft-lbs
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench rated 30-150 ft-lbs
• Disc brake piston compression tool (specialty)
• Small flat-blade screwdriver
• Nylon brake-cleaning brush
• Brake fluid syringe
• Caliper hanger
• Nitrile mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 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
• High-temperature silicone brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Non-chlorinated brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle if needed

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Explorer on level, solid ground and place the transmission in Park.
• Switch off the engine, remove the key, and release the parking brake completely.
• Place wheel chocks tightly against both sides of one front tire.
• Let the brakes cool completely before working.
• Check the brake-fluid level under the hood. If it is at the MAX line, use a brake fluid syringe to remove a small amount before compressing the pistons.
• No infotainment setting, scan tool, electronic parking-brake service mode, or battery disconnect is required.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: 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 Explorer is still on the ground.

Step 2: Raise and support the rear

• Position the 2-ton floor jack beneath the reinforced rear lifting point and raise one side at a time.
• Place 2-ton jack stands beneath the marked rear pinch-weld support points.
• Lower your Explorer gently onto the stands, then give it a careful stability check.
• Keep the floor jack nearby as backup support.

Step 3: 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 the work area.

Step 4: Inspect the brakes

• Use a flashlight and inspect both rear rotors for deep grooves, blue heat spots, cracks, or heavy rust.
• Check the rubber brake hoses for cracks, wetness, or bulges.
• Compare inner and outer pad wear. A large difference may indicate a seized slide pin or caliper.
• Replace or machine the rotors if they are damaged or below the minimum thickness stamped on each rotor.

Step 5: Remove the first rear caliper

• Use an 11mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the upper and lower caliper guide-pin bolts.
• A guide pin allows the caliper to slide sideways as the brakes apply.
• Lift the caliper from the bracket. Use a small flat-blade screwdriver only if gentle assistance is needed.
• Support the caliper with a caliper hanger. Do not twist or stretch its brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer brake pads from the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a small flat-blade screwdriver to remove the stainless-steel pad clips from the bracket.
• Note the position of any wear indicator before discarding the old pads.

Step 7: Clean and lubricate the bracket

• Spray non-chlorinated brake cleaner onto the bracket and use a nylon brake-cleaning brush to remove brake dust and rust from the clip seating areas.
• Install the new rear brake pad hardware by hand. Make sure every clip sits completely flat.
• Apply a very thin coat of high-temperature silicone brake lubricant where the pad tabs contact the hardware.
• Do not put lubricant on the pad friction material or rotor surface.

Step 8: Check the caliper guide pins

• Pull each guide pin from its rubber boot by hand and confirm that it moves smoothly.
• Wipe the pins clean and apply a thin coat of high-temperature silicone brake lubricant.
• Reinsert each pin by hand without tearing or twisting its rubber boot.
• Replace the caliper or damaged guide-pin components if a pin is rusted, seized, or loose.

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Place an old brake pad against the piston face.
• Use the disc brake piston compression tool to press the piston slowly and straight into the caliper bore.
• Watch the brake-fluid reservoir while compressing the piston. Use the brake fluid syringe if the level approaches the top.
• Stop if the piston binds, tilts, or requires excessive force. Do not rotate the piston.
• Compress slowly to avoid damaging the hydraulic seals.

Step 10: Install the new pads

• Fit the new inner and outer pads into the hardware by hand.
• Make sure the pad tabs slide freely without excessive looseness.
• If equipped, place the pad with the wear indicator in the same position as the original pad.
• Keep all friction surfaces clean and dry.

Step 11: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads without twisting the brake hose.
• Start both guide-pin bolts by hand to prevent crossed threads.
• Use an 11mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten both guide-pin bolts to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs).
• Confirm that both guide-pin boots are seated and undamaged.

Step 12: Repeat on the opposite side

• Use the same tools and procedure to replace the pads and hardware on the other rear wheel.
• Always replace rear brake pads as a complete axle set.

Step 13: Reinstall the rear wheels

• Install each wheel and start all wheel nuts by hand.
• Use a 19mm deep socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to snug the nuts in a star pattern while the wheels are raised.
• Use the 2-ton floor jack to lift your Explorer slightly, remove the jack stands, and lower it to the ground.
• Use the 19mm deep socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the wheel nuts in a star pattern to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Restore brake pressure

• Before starting the engine, press and release the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Do not move your Explorer until the pedal is firm and holds steady.
• Check the reservoir and add fresh DOT 3 brake fluid only if the level is below the correct range.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and hold firm pressure on the brake pedal for 30 seconds. The pedal should not slowly sink.
• Inspect both rear calipers and hoses for brake-fluid leaks.
• Apply and release the parking brake to confirm normal operation.
• Drive slowly in a safe area and verify that your Explorer stops straight without scraping, pulling, or warning lights.
• Bed in the pads with approximately 8-10 moderate stops from 50 km/h to 15 km/h. Allow about 30 seconds of cooling between stops.
• Avoid emergency stops and holding the brake pedal firmly while stationary immediately after bedding.
• Recheck wheel-nut torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs) after approximately 80-160 km.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹7,000-₹15,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹3,500-₹8,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹3,500-₹7,000 by doing it yourself!

Local labor and imported-parts prices vary. This repair takes a shop approximately 1-1.5 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.