Brake Pads and Rotors - Rear

Replace rear brake pads and rotors on a 2014 Ram 2500 with 6.7L Cummins Diesel. Includes caliper service, rotor replacement, and proper torque specifications for safe brake system operation.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake pad set (both sides) × 1 — OEM Mopar or equivalent heavy-duty pads
• Rear brake rotors × 2 — OEM Mopar or equivalent
• Brake hardware kit (clips, springs) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Mopar DOT 4 Brake Fluid — 0.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground. Chock front wheels securely.
2. Before lifting vehicle, loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground.
3. Remove reservoir cap from brake master cylinder and extract approximately 1/3 of fluid with turkey baster to prevent overflow when compressing caliper pistons. Store extracted fluid in clean container for disposal.
4. Lift rear of vehicle using manufacturer-specified jacking points and support securely on jack stands rated for vehicle weight. Never rely solely on jack.
5. Remove rear wheels completely.
6. Inspect brake lines, hoses, and hardware for damage, corrosion, or leaks before beginning work.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove caliper slide bolts and caliper
   Locate the two caliper slide bolts (also called guide pin bolts) on the rear of the caliper. These are typically 13mm or 15mm. Remove both caliper slide bolts completely. Carefully lift the caliper off the rotor and pads. DO NOT let the caliper hang by the brake hose - support it with wire or bungee cord attached to the suspension or frame. Inspect the brake hose for cracks, bulging, or damage.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Bolts46 Nm (34 lb-ft)

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove old brake pads and hardware
   Remove the old brake pads from the caliper bracket. Note the position of any anti-rattle clips, shims, or springs. Take a photo if needed for reassembly reference. Remove all pad hardware clips from the caliper bracket. Inspect caliper bracket for wear, damage, or excessive corrosion.
3. 3

   Remove caliper bracket
   Locate the two caliper bracket bolts (larger bolts securing bracket to knuckle, typically 18mm). Remove both caliper bracket bolts completely using a breaker bar if necessary - these are torqued to high specification. Remove the caliper bracket from the vehicle. Keep bolts organized.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts137 Nm (101 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove old rotor
   Remove the rotor from the hub. If rotor is stuck due to corrosion, thread in 8mm bolts into the threaded holes in the rotor face (if equipped) to push rotor off, or carefully tap with rubber mallet on outer edge while rotating. Some rotors may have a small Phillips or Torx set screw that must be removed first. Clean the hub surface thoroughly with wire brush, removing all rust and debris.
5. 5

   Prepare and install new rotor
   Clean new rotor thoroughly with brake cleaner on both sides to remove all protective oil coating - this is critical to prevent brake contamination. Spray and wipe multiple times until rotor is completely clean and dry. Slide new rotor onto hub, ensuring it seats flat against hub surface. If equipped with rotor set screw hole, install screw finger-tight to hold rotor during reassembly (this screw is not critical to final assembly).
6. 6

   Clean and reinstall caliper bracket
   Clean caliper bracket thoroughly with wire brush and brake cleaner, paying special attention to pad slide areas and bolt holes. Inspect slide surfaces for excessive wear or damage. Apply medium-strength thread locker to caliper bracket bolt threads as specified. Position caliper bracket over rotor and onto mounting boss on knuckle. Install both bracket bolts and tighten to specification using torque wrench in a cross pattern.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts137 Nm (101 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Install new pad hardware and brake pads
   Install new anti-rattle clips, springs, and shims into caliper bracket according to hardware kit instructions or photo reference from disassembly. Apply thin layer of high-temperature silicone brake grease to pad slide points on bracket (where pads contact bracket) - do NOT get grease on pad friction material or rotor surface. Install new brake pads into caliper bracket, ensuring they are properly seated in hardware clips.
8. 8

   Compress caliper piston
   Using C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool, slowly compress the caliper piston(s) fully into the caliper bore. Place clamp on caliper body and against the back of the piston, not the dust boot. Watch the brake fluid reservoir - it will rise as piston compresses. If fluid reaches maximum line, remove more fluid. Compress slowly to avoid damaging caliper seals. On some rear calipers, piston may need to be rotated while compressing if it has integrated parking brake mechanism (check if notches are present on piston face).
   ⚠Do not damage the piston dust boot during compression. Damaged boots will cause caliper failure.
9. 9

   Clean and lubricate caliper slide pins
   Remove caliper slide pins completely from caliper bracket by pulling them out (if not already removed). Clean slide pins thoroughly with brake cleaner and inspect for corrosion, wear, or damage. Inspect slide pin boots for tears or damage - replace if compromised. Apply fresh high-temperature silicone brake grease to entire length of slide pins, ensuring complete coverage. Reinstall slide pins with boots into caliper bracket.
10. 10

    Reinstall caliper
    Position caliper over new brake pads and rotor, aligning slide pins with caliper bracket holes. Install both caliper slide bolts, applying silicone brake grease to bolt threads as specified. Tighten slide bolts to proper torque specification using torque wrench. Ensure caliper moves smoothly on slide pins after installation - if binding occurs, investigate cause immediately.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Bolts46 Nm (34 lb-ft)

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1-10 for the opposite rear wheel. Always replace brake components in axle pairs to maintain balanced braking performance.
12. 12

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall rear wheels, threading lug nuts on by hand first to ensure proper thread engagement. Using torque wrench, tighten lug nuts in star pattern to specification. Double-check that all tools and parts have been removed from wheel wells. Carefully lower vehicle to ground. With vehicle on ground, perform final torque on lug nuts in star pattern to ensure proper seating.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Restore brake pedal and check fluid level
    Before moving vehicle, pump brake pedal slowly and firmly multiple times until pedal feels firm and reaches normal height - this seats the caliper pistons against new pads. Pedal will initially go to floor - this is normal. Check brake fluid level in master cylinder reservoir and top off to MAX line with fresh Mopar DOT 4 brake fluid if needed. Reinstall reservoir cap securely.
    ⚠️DO NOT attempt to move vehicle until brake pedal is firm and returns to normal position. Failure to properly seat pistons will result in no braking on first application.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all caliper bolts are torqued to proper specifications - these are safety-critical fasteners.
2. Verify brake fluid level is between MIN and MAX marks on reservoir.
3. Check that no tools, rags, or parts have been left in wheel wells or under vehicle.
4. Confirm all brake hoses are properly routed without kinks, twists, or contact with suspension components.

Verification

• With vehicle still in park or gear, pump brake pedal 10-15 times. Pedal should feel firm and consistent. If pedal feels soft or spongy, bleed brake system.
• Start engine and apply firm brake pressure. Pedal should remain firm and not slowly sink to floor. If pedal sinks, there is a leak or air in system - do not drive vehicle.
• Perform initial test drive in safe area at low speed (under 10 mph) to verify brakes engage properly. Apply brakes gently multiple times.
• Perform 3-5 moderate stops from 30 mph to begin pad bedding process. Avoid hard or emergency stops for first 200 miles.
• After test drive, recheck all caliper bolts for tightness and verify no fluid leaks are present around calipers or brake lines.
• Recheck brake fluid level after test drive - top off if needed.
• Check wheel lug nut torque after first 50-100 miles of driving.
• Expect some brake noise and reduced performance during first 200 miles as pads bed to rotors. If noise persists beyond break-in period or braking performance is inadequate, inspect installation immediately.

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