Brake Pads - Rear

This procedure replaces the rear brake pads on a 2007 Ram 3500 with 5.9L Cummins diesel engine, including caliper service and proper torque specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake pad set × 1 — Use OEM specification or premium aftermarket
• Brake hardware kit (clips and shims) × 1 — Often included with pad set

Fluids

• DOT 3 brake fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on solid, level surface and engage parking brake firmly
2. Place wheel chocks at front wheels to prevent vehicle movement
3. Remove approximately 1/3 of brake fluid from master cylinder reservoir using turkey baster or syringe to prevent overflow when compressing pistons. Dispose of old fluid properly, never reuse
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
5. Lift rear of vehicle using floor jack at rear axle housing (not differential cover)
6. Place jack stands under frame rails behind rear axle and lower vehicle onto stands securely
7. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect brake system
   Visually inspect brake rotors for scoring, cracks, or excessive wear. Measure rotor thickness if possible (minimum thickness is stamped on rotor). Inspect brake hoses for cracks, bulges, or leaks. Check caliper slide pins for excessive corrosion or damage. If rotors are damaged beyond service limits or if any brake hydraulic components show damage, do not proceed without addressing those issues first.
2. 2

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the rear of the caliper (facing toward the rear of the vehicle). Using appropriate socket, remove the lower caliper slide pin bolt first, then the upper bolt. Support the caliper with your hand as you remove the second bolt to prevent it from falling. These bolts may be tight due to threadlocker.
   ⚠Do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose, as this can damage the hose internally.
3. 3

   Remove caliper and secure
   Carefully pivot the caliper up and off the brake rotor and pads. Use a wire or bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension or frame above. Ensure there is no tension or stress on the rubber brake hose. Do not disconnect the brake hose unless replacing the caliper.
4. 4

   Remove old brake pads and hardware
   Remove the outboard brake pad from the caliper bracket. Remove the inboard brake pad. Note the orientation and position of all brake hardware including anti-rattle clips, shims, and springs for proper reassembly. Remove all old hardware clips from the caliper bracket. Take photos if needed for reference during reassembly.
5. 5

   Clean caliper bracket and inspect
   Using wire brush and brake cleaner, thoroughly clean the caliper bracket, especially the areas where brake pads slide. Remove all rust, debris, and old grease from pad contact surfaces and slide pin bores. Inspect caliper bracket bolts for tightness. If loose, bracket must be removed, bolts cleaned, threadlocker applied, and reinstalled to proper torque specification.
   ⚠Use brake cleaner in well-ventilated area. Avoid breathing vapors and keep away from ignition sources.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Compress caliper piston
   Using C-clamp or brake caliper piston tool, slowly compress the caliper piston(s) fully into the caliper bore. Place the clamp on the back of the caliper body and against the piston (or old brake pad if still in place). Compress slowly and evenly. Watch the master cylinder reservoir to ensure it does not overflow as the piston retracts and pushes fluid back into the system.
7. 7

   Inspect and lubricate caliper slide pins
   Remove caliper slide pins from the bracket by pulling them out. Inspect pins for corrosion, wear, or damage. Clean pins thoroughly with brake cleaner and wipe dry. Apply a thin, even coat of silicone brake grease to the entire length of each slide pin. Reinstall pins into bracket bores, ensuring they slide smoothly. If pins bind or stick, caliper service is required before proceeding.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Install new brake hardware
   Install new anti-rattle clips and hardware onto the caliper bracket according to the orientation noted during removal. Ensure all clips are fully seated and secure. Apply a very light coating of silicone brake grease to the pad contact areas on the bracket where the pad backing plates will slide (do not get grease on friction material or rotor).
9. 9

   Install new brake pads
   Install the inboard brake pad into the caliper bracket, ensuring it is properly seated in the hardware clips and against the piston. Install the outboard brake pad, ensuring it is properly seated in the bracket and hardware clips. Verify both pads are secure and positioned correctly with friction material facing the rotor.
   ⚠Ensure brake pads are installed in correct orientation. Some pads have directional wear indicators that must face a specific direction.
10. 10

    Reinstall caliper
    Remove the caliper from its supported position. Carefully position the caliper over the brake pads and onto the caliper bracket, aligning the slide pin bolt holes. Ensure brake pads remain properly positioned during installation. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the caliper slide pin bolt threads. Install and hand-thread both caliper slide pin bolts.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Torque caliper slide pin bolts
    Using torque wrench, tighten both caliper slide pin bolts to the manufacturer-specified torque (verify against factory service manual, typically approximately 30-32 Nm / 22-24 lb-ft). Verify caliper is seated properly on bracket and that there is no interference with the rotor or pads.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Repeat for opposite side
    Repeat steps 1 through 11 for the opposite rear wheel. Always replace brake pads on both sides of the same axle simultaneously to maintain balanced braking performance.
13. 13

    Reinstall wheels
    Clean wheel mounting surface on hub with wire brush to remove rust and debris. Install rear wheels onto hubs, ensuring they are seated properly. Hand-thread all lug nuts onto studs. Tighten lug nuts snug in a star pattern but do not fully torque yet.
14. 14

    Lower vehicle and torque lug nuts
    Raise vehicle slightly off jack stands using floor jack. Remove jack stands and carefully lower vehicle to the ground. Using torque wrench, torque all rear wheel lug nuts to the manufacturer-specified value (2007 Ram 3500 is typically approximately 175-185 Nm / 130-135 lb-ft; verify against factory service manual) in a star pattern. Re-check all lug nuts after initial torque to ensure none have loosened.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts183 Nm (135 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Restore brake pedal pressure
    Before moving the vehicle, pump the brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until firm resistance is felt. The pedal should become firm and hold pressure. Check master cylinder reservoir and top off with fresh brake fluid meeting the specification marked on the reservoir cap (typically DOT 3) to the MAX line if needed. Do not overfill.
    ⚠️DO NOT attempt to move the vehicle until a firm brake pedal is achieved. Failure to pump up the brakes will result in no braking ability.

Reassembly

1. Release parking brake and verify it releases completely
2. Start engine and allow brake booster vacuum to build, then check brake pedal feel again
3. Verify brake warning lights are not illuminated on instrument cluster
4. Double-check all lug nuts are torqued to specification in star pattern

Verification

• Pump brake pedal multiple times - it should be firm and hold pressure without sinking
• Check master cylinder fluid level - should be at MAX line with no leaks visible
• Perform test drive in safe area at low speed (under 15 mph) to verify brakes engage smoothly without pulling to either side
• Check for unusual noises, vibrations, or pedal pulsation during gentle brake application
• After 50-100 miles, re-check and re-torque all wheel lug nuts to 140.0 Nm (103.0 lb-ft)
• Follow break-in procedure: avoid hard braking for first 200-300 miles to properly seat new pads to rotors

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle