Jeep Compass
Rear Brake Pads Replacement Guide
How to change the rear disc brake pads on
a second generation 2017 to 2022 Jeep Compass SUV.
2019 Compass Rear Wheel |
LCD Screen Menu |
Settings - Brakes |
This automotive
maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second
generation (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and the facelifted 2022) Jeep Compass
SUV in changing the rear disc brake pads plus directions for
replacing the rotors if necessary. Owners of other Jeep, Dodge and RAM vehicles such as the Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Renegade, Gladiator, Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer, Wagoneer, Charger, Challenger, Durango, RAM 1500, Promaster, 2500 and 3500 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. A few compatible replacement sets of rear brake pads with their part numbers are as follows: Wagner ZD2081, Power Stop 16-2081 and Bendix SBC2081. The tools and other items needed to complete this procedure include a lug nut wrench, a floor jack, two jack stands, a 13mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet, a 17mm wrench, a disc brake piston tool or needle nose pliers and a tube of brake parts lubricant grease. The first few steps are to drive the SUV on to a level surface, shift the transmission into "Park" and turn off the ignition. Place wheel chocks on both sides of the front tires to help prevent the vehicle from moving. Make sure the EPB (electric or "electronic" parking brake) has been released. If the EPB is engaged, you will encounter the error message seen in the picture below. Before you can being the procedure to replace the rear brake pads, you will need to place the electric parking brake system into "service mode" or "maintenance mode" by using the LCD display. Choose the "Settings" option on the screen. Then choose "Brakes" and on the next page tap on "Brake Service". The screen will display the question "Would you like to retract Park Brakes to allow for brake system service?". Choose the "Yes" option on the screen. If you failed to first release the parking brake, the screen will display the error message "Service Mode is not available. Release Park Brake." If you had already released the parking brake, you will hear the two electronic parking brake actuator motors winding back and the screen will display the message "Park Brake retracted. To reset, press brake pedal and activate Park Brake switch." Please make sure that this process completes successfully and you see the success message. If you attempt to retract the rear caliper pistons before the system is in maintenance mode, you may damage the EPB actuator motors. Please proceed with caution and at your own risk. |
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"Brake Service" Option |
Brake System Service |
Error - First Release Brake |
Release EPB |
"Brake Service" Again |
Choose "Yes" |
Park Brake Retracted |
Slightly Loosen Lug Bolts |
Raise Rear of SUV |
With the EPB system
successfully placed into "Service Mode", you can now continue with the brake
pad replacement procedure.
Slightly loosen the five lug bolts on the rear wheel by turning them 1/4 to 1/2 turn in the counterclockwise direction with the lug nut wrench. I prefer to only work on one side of the vehicle at a time to keep three tires on the ground for extra safety. Carefully raise the rear corner of the SUV with the floor jack and securely support it with at least two jack stands placed under the frame rail. |
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Spin Off Five Lug Bolts |
5 Lug Bolts Removed |
Rotor, Bracket, Caliper |
Spin off the five
lug bolts and set them aside in a safe place. Carefully remove the rear tire and wheel to reveal the rotor, bracket, caliper and suspension. |
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Loosen Bottom Bolt |
Wrench - Hold Slide Pin |
Loosen Top Caliper Bolt |
Loosen the bottom
caliper bolt by turning it in the clockwise direction (as seen from the
outside of the SUV) with the 13mm socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet. If the caliper slide pin or "slider pin" turns as you are attempting to loosen the bolt, hold it in place with a 17mm wrench. Then loosen the top caliper bolt by also turning it in the clockwise direction (when viewed from the outside of the vehicle) with the 13mm socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet. Note - If you were to slide under the engine bay of the vehicle and look at the back side of the caliper, you would loosen the bolts in the "normal" counterclockwise direction. Since we are looking at the outer face of the caliper, the orientation of the bolts is reversed which is why they are loosened in the clockwise direction from this perspective. I do not recommend working from underneath the vehicle since it is a safety risk. |
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Short Extension Bar |
Spin Out Upper Bolt |
Remove Lower Bolt |
If you the electric
parking brake actuator motor housing gets in your way, you can use a short
extension bar attached to the 13mm socket and the 3/8" drive ratchet. Spin out the two caliper bolts and set them aside in a safe place. |
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2 Caliper Bolts Removed |
Lift Caliper Off Pads |
Rear Caliper Removed |
Carefully lift the
caliper out of the bracket and off the old brake pads. Try to avoid bending, kinking, stressing or pulling on the rubber brake fluid hose. |
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Remove Old Brake Pads |
Pad Abutment Clips |
Replace Both Clips |
Pull the old inner
and outer brake pads out of the bracket. Make a mental note of where the wear indicator bar or "squeal bar" is located on the old brake pads. On this 2019 Compass Trailhawk 4X4, the wear indicator bar was situated at the top of the old inner brake pad. If your set of new rear pads came with a bag of replacement brake hardware, remove the old pad abutment or "anti-rattle" clips at the top and bottom of the bracket. Clean off the rotor, bracket and caliper with brake parts cleaner spray. Apply a thin layer of brake parts lubricant grease to the top and bottom of the new pad abutment clips where they will come in contact with the bracket or the new pads. Avoid getting grease on the friction surface of the new pads or the rotor. Push the new pad abutment clips into the top and bottom of the bracket. Make sure they are fully seated in place. |
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Lower Caliper Slide Pin |
Do NOT Mix Up Pins |
Rotor Set Screw |
In order for the
caliper to operate smoothly, the two caliper slide pins (or "slider pins")
need to be well lubricated. Pull out one pin at a time, apply a thin layer of brake caliper grease and push it back into its rubber dust boot. Do NOT mix up the top and bottom pins since they are slightly different. The "leading" caliper slide pin has a rubber sleeve or "band" that provides dampening to reduce vibrations or rattles. The "trailing" caliper slide pin does not have a rubber sleeve at the tip. If your Compass has been exhibiting shuddering, vibrations or shaking in the rear end during braking, you may need to replace the rear rotors.To replace the rear rotors, first remove the set screw on the outer face by turning it counterclockwise with a 5mm hex head socket (or a 5mm Allen key wrench). Then remove the two 17mm bolts on the back side of the bracket. Set the bracket aside in a safe place. Carefully slide the old rotor off the wheel hub and slide on the new one. Line up the bracket and reattach it with the two 17mm bolts. I don't have the service manual for the 2017 to 2022 Jeep Compass, but I've read on the forum that the torque specification for the rear caliper bracket bolts on a 2017 Compass is 40 lb-ft (or 54 N*m). Warning - Please verify this torque specification value for your vehicle's model year and trim level! Note - If you plan on taking your Jeep off road, it would be a good idea to apply a small amount of Loctite Red (high strength - requires heat for removal) threadlocker fluid to the two bracket bolts. (The OEM bracket bolts have some red thread locking adhesive applied to them at the factory.) Replace the set screw by turning it in the clockwise direction until it is snug. A few compatible replacement rear brake rotors with their part numbers are as follows: ACDelco 18A81835, Raybestos 981835FZN and Power Stop AR83097EVC. |
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Disc Brake Piston Tool |
Push & Turn Clockwise |
Install New Outer Pad |
The 2019 Compass is
equipped with screw-in type rear caliper pistons.
In order for the caliper to fit over the thicker new brake pads, you will need to wind back or "retract" the caliper piston. You'll either need a set of disc brake piston tools or you can use needle nose pliers if necessary. My Lisle 28600 disc brake piston tool didn't seem to have a side that fit the grooves in the piston properly, so I used needle nose pliers. Be sure to push and also turn in the clockwise direction to retract back the piston. Continue retracting back the piston until it is just about flush with the rubber dust boot that surrounds it. Install the new inner and outer brake pads into the bracket. |
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Wear Bar - Top Inner Pad |
Push Pads Against Rotor |
Lower Caliper Over Pads |
The wear indicator
bar should be located at the top of the inner brake pad. Push the two pads together until they are flush against the rotor. Carefully lower the caliper over the new pads and into the bracket. |
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Spin In Top Caliper Bolt |
Replace Bottom Bolt |
Wrench - Hold Pin |
Line up the bolt
holes in the caliper with their corresponding holes in the slider pins
within the bracket. Spin in the two caliper bolts a few turns by hand in the counterclockwise direction (as seen from the outside of the SUV) to help prevent them from becoming cross threaded. Continue tightening the two caliper bolts with the 13mm socket and a 3/8" drive ratchet until they are snug. I don't have the shop manual for the 2017 to 2022 Compass, but I found the torque specification on a Jeep Compass forum for the rear caliper bolts as being 26 lb-ft (or 35 N*m). Warning - Please verify this value for your vehicle's model year and trim level. Note - If you plan on taking your Compass off road, it would be a good idea to apply a small amount of Loctite Blue (medium strength - removable with hand tools) threadlocker adhesive fluid to the caliper bolts. If the caliper slide pin turns as you are attempting to tighten the caliper bolts, hold them in place with a 17mm wrench. |
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Torque Bottom Bolt |
Rubber Valve Cap |
Brake Fluid Bleeder Valve |
Double check that
the bracket bolts, rotor set screw and caliper bolts are all tight before
moving on to the next steps. If your SUV's brake pedal has recently felt soft or spongy, the brake fluid may be contaminated with water or the brake lines might contain a few air bubbles. It would be best to bleed the brake lines at this time in order to flush out the old fluid and replace it with fresh DOT 3 brake fluid from a new bottle. For more on this topic, check out my Brake Line Fluid Bleeding With An Assistant DIY Guide or alternatively take a look at my Brake Line Fluid Bleeding With A Power Bleeder Guide. The brake fluid bleeder valve is located underneath a rubber cap on the back side of the caliper just below the top caliper bolt. To loosen the brake fluid bleeder valve, you'll need an 11mm wrench. |
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Replace Rear Wheel |
Spin In Five Lug Bolts |
Slightly Tighten Bolts |
Carefully replace
the rear wheel and tire. Spin in the five lug bolts a few turns by hand in the clockwise direction to make sure they don't become cross threaded. Slightly tighten the five lug bolts in criss-cross or star pattern by turning them in the clockwise direction with the tire iron. |
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Lower SUV From Stands |
Torque Lug Nuts |
Rear Brake Job Done |
Carefully lower the vehicle from the jack stands by using the floor jack. Continue tightening the lug bolts in a criss-cross or star pattern in the clockwise direction with the lug nut wrench until they are snug. If you have a torque wrench, the owner's manual lists a torque specification of 100 lb-ft (or 135 N*m) for tightening the lug bolts. To exit the rear brake service mode, push down on the brake pedal and activate the parking brake. You should hear the EPB actuator motors making a whirring sound as they move back into the normal position. Sit in the driver's seat of the SUV and firmly pump the brake pedal a few times to restore the brake line pressure. Check the brake fluid in the reservoir and verify that it is at the proper level. If it is low, pour in some fresh DOT 3 brake fluid from a new bottle. To break in your new rear brake pads, just drive normally for the first few hundred miles while trying to avoid any hard or "panic" stops which may glaze over the new pads and cause them to be noisy and/or not perform as well. It's also a good idea to regularly check your driveway, garage or parking spot for drops of fresh brake fluid which might indicate a leak from the bleeder valve, check the brake fluid level in the reservoir and also verify that the lug bolts are still tight. Be sure to record the brake pad change in your SUV's service records. Please
check out all of my
2017-2022 Jeep Compass DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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