Brake Pads - Rear

Replace rear brake pads on a 2022 Rivian EDV 500 electric delivery van, including caliper service and proper bedding procedure.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

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

Fluids

• DOT 4 Brake Fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels.
2. Access vehicle settings through center display and enable 'Service Mode' or 'Tow Mode' to disable regenerative braking and prevent motor activation.
3. Turn off vehicle completely and ensure it will not enter ready mode during service.
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while wheels are on ground.
5. Lift rear of vehicle with floor jack at designated rear jacking points per owner's manual.
6. Place jack stands under frame rails at designated support points. Lower vehicle onto stands.
7. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside.
8. Inspect brake rotors for scoring, minimum thickness specification, and runout. Replace rotors if below specification (consult service manual for minimum thickness).
9. Using turkey baster or fluid syringe, remove approximately 1/4 of brake fluid from master cylinder reservoir to prevent overflow when compressing pistons.
10. Test remaining brake fluid with test strips if available. If moisture content is high or fluid is dark, plan for complete brake fluid flush after pad installation.

Procedure

1. 1

   Access and inspect rear brake caliper
   Locate the rear brake caliper mounted to the rear of the rotor. Inspect the caliper slide pins, dust boots, and brake hose for damage, leaks, or deterioration. Check that the caliper bracket and mounting hardware are secure. If any components show damage, address these issues before proceeding with pad replacement.
2. 2

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Using a 14mm socket or wrench, remove both caliper slide pin bolts that secure the caliper to the bracket. These bolts may be covered by rubber caps. Keep these bolts and any washers organized. Note the condition of the slide pin boots and whether they need replacement.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove caliper from bracket
   Carefully pivot the caliper upward and away from the rotor and bracket. Support the caliper weight and suspend it using a wire hook or bungee cord attached to the suspension or chassis. Never allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose as this can damage the hose internally and cause brake failure.
4. 4

   Remove old brake pads and hardware
   Remove the old brake pads from the caliper bracket. They may be held by retaining clips or simply sit in position. Remove all pad hardware including anti-rattle clips, shims, and springs. Note the orientation of all hardware for proper reassembly. Inspect the caliper bracket pad contact surfaces for wear grooves or corrosion.
5. 5

   Clean caliper bracket and slide pins
   Spray brake cleaner on the caliper bracket, especially the pad contact surfaces and slide pin bores. Use a wire brush to remove rust, corrosion, and old grease from the bracket pad seats. Remove the caliper slide pins from the bracket and clean them thoroughly with brake cleaner. Inspect slide pins for wear, corrosion, or damage. Replace if compromised.
6. 6

   Compress caliper pistons
   Using a brake caliper wind-back tool or large C-clamp, slowly compress the caliper piston(s) fully into the caliper bore. Position the tool against the back of the piston and the rear of the caliper body. Compress slowly and watch the brake fluid reservoir to ensure it does not overflow. This step creates clearance for the thicker new brake pads. Wipe away any brake fluid that may seep from around the piston dust boot.
7. 7

   Install new pad hardware and lubricate
   Install all new anti-rattle clips, shims, and springs from the brake hardware kit onto the caliper bracket according to the pad manufacturer's instructions. Apply a thin layer of silicone brake grease to the caliper bracket pad contact surfaces where the pad backing plates will slide. Do NOT get any grease on the friction material or rotor surface. Lubricate the caliper slide pins with silicone brake grease and reinstall them into the bracket, ensuring the dust boots are properly seated.
8. 8

   Install new brake pads
   Install the new inner and outer brake pads into the caliper bracket, ensuring they are properly seated in the hardware clips and oriented correctly. The friction material should face the rotor, and any pad wear indicators should be positioned at the top of the pad. Verify pads move freely in the bracket with minimal play.
9. 9

   Reinstall caliper
   Remove the caliper from its suspended position and carefully lower it over the new brake pads and bracket. Align the caliper slide pin bolt holes with the slide pins. Ensure no brake hoses are twisted or kinked. Apply a small amount of blue threadlocker to the threads of both caliper slide pin bolts. Install both bolts and torque to specification in an alternating pattern.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Repeat for opposite rear wheel
    Repeat steps 1 through 9 for the opposite rear brake assembly. It is critical to replace brake pads on both rear wheels simultaneously to maintain balanced braking performance. Never replace pads on only one side of an axle.
11. 11

    Reinstall wheels
    Clean the wheel mounting surface on the hub with a wire brush to remove rust and debris. Install the rear wheels onto the hubs, ensuring they are seated properly. Thread all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern by hand until snug.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts203 Nm (150 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Lower vehicle and final torque
    Raise the vehicle slightly off the jack stands with the floor jack. Remove jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle to the ground. With the vehicle weight on the wheels, torque all lug nuts to specification in a star pattern using a torque wrench. Double-check each lug nut reaches proper torque.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts203 Nm (150 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Restore brake pedal and check fluid
    Before moving the vehicle, pump the brake pedal slowly and firmly multiple times until it returns to normal height and firmness. This repositions the caliper pistons against the new pads. The first few pumps will feel soft as pistons extend. Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir and top off with fresh DOT 4 brake fluid if needed. Do not overfill. Exit service/tow mode in the vehicle settings.

Reassembly

1. Verify all caliper slide pin bolts and lug nuts have been torqued to specification.
2. Confirm brake pedal feels firm and returns to normal height after pumping.
3. Inspect for any brake fluid leaks around calipers and hoses.
4. Verify service mode is disabled and vehicle operates normally.
5. Clean any brake fluid spills or fingerprints from painted surfaces immediately to prevent damage.

Verification

• Perform brake pedal test: With engine off, pump brake pedal 5-10 times. Pedal should be firm and consistent, not spongy or sinking.
• Check master cylinder fluid level is between MIN and MAX marks with fresh, clean fluid.
• Perform brake bedding procedure: Drive in a safe area and make 8-10 moderate stops from 40 mph down to 10 mph with 30 seconds of driving between stops to cool brakes. Avoid complete stops during bedding. This transfers pad material to rotors and establishes proper friction interface.
• After bedding, make several firm stops from 50-60 mph to verify braking performance is balanced and no pulling occurs.
• Test regenerative braking integration: Verify regen braking feels normal and transitions smoothly to friction braking.
• Inspect wheels after 50-100 miles of driving and re-torque lug nuts to specification.
• Listen for any unusual brake noises such as grinding, squealing, or rubbing during the first several hundred miles.
• Monitor brake pedal feel over the next few days. If pedal becomes soft or spongy, there may be air in the system requiring professional bleeding.
• If brake warning light illuminates, vehicle pulls during braking, or pedal feel is abnormal, stop driving immediately and seek professional service.

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