Brake Pads - Rear

Replace rear brake pads on a 2024 Rivian EDV 500 electric delivery van, including caliper service and proper bedding procedures.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake pad set (left and right) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Brake hardware kit (anti-rattle clips) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• DOT 4 Brake Fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Place vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Place transmission in Park mode
3. Access vehicle settings on center display and enable Service Mode (this prevents the vehicle from moving and disables certain automated systems)
4. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
5. Using turkey baster or syringe, remove approximately 1/3 of brake fluid from master cylinder reservoir to prevent overflow when compressing caliper pistons
6. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is still on ground (do not remove)
7. Lift rear of vehicle using approved jacking points per Rivian service manual
8. Support vehicle on jack stands rated for at least 7,000 lbs at designated support points
9. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect brake system
   Before disassembly, inspect the rear brake rotors for damage, excessive wear, scoring, or warping. Check brake lines and hoses for leaks, cracks, or damage. Measure rotor thickness if possible and compare to minimum specification (typically stamped on rotor hat). If rotors are damaged or below minimum thickness, they must be replaced. Inspect caliper slide pins for binding or damage.
2. 2

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the rear of the caliper. Using the appropriate hex bit socket, remove both caliper slide pin bolts completely. Support the caliper with one hand as you remove the second bolt to prevent it from falling. The caliper should now be free to pivot or lift away from the rotor.
   ⚠Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose as this can damage the hose internally. Support the caliper at all times.
3. 3

   Support and secure caliper
   Carefully lift the caliper off the brake pads and rotor. Use a bungee cord, wire, or mechanic's wire to hang the caliper from the suspension or chassis. Ensure there is no tension or strain on the brake hose. The caliper should hang freely without pulling on the hydraulic line.
4. 4

   Remove old brake pads and hardware
   Remove the old brake pads from the caliper bracket. Note the orientation of the inner and outer pads, wear indicators, and any shims. Remove all anti-rattle clips, springs, and hardware from the caliper bracket. Keep old pads to compare thickness with new pads to verify they were indeed worn.
5. 5

   Clean caliper bracket and slide pins
   Using a wire brush and brake cleaner, thoroughly clean the caliper bracket, especially the pad slide areas and hardware mounting points. Remove all rust, corrosion, and old grease. Remove the caliper slide pins from the bracket and inspect for corrosion or damage. Clean slide pins with brake cleaner and wipe dry. Apply a thin coat of high-temperature silicone brake grease to the slide pins (never use petroleum-based grease).
6. 6

   Install new brake hardware
   Install all new anti-rattle clips, springs, and hardware from the brake hardware kit onto the caliper bracket. Ensure all clips are fully seated and secure. The hardware should fit snugly without forcing. Apply a thin layer of silicone brake grease to the pad contact areas on the bracket where the pad backing plates will slide.
7. 7

   Compress caliper piston
   Using a C-clamp or brake caliper piston tool, slowly compress the caliper piston(s) fully back into the caliper bore. Place the tool against the piston face and the back of the caliper body. Compress slowly and evenly, watching the master cylinder reservoir to ensure it does not overflow. This step is necessary to create clearance for the thicker new brake pads.
   ⚠Compress pistons slowly to avoid damaging caliper seals. If piston does not compress smoothly or binds, the caliper may need rebuilding or replacement.
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. Verify that any wear indicators are positioned correctly (typically on the inner pad, positioned to contact the rotor when pads are worn). Pads should fit snugly but slide smoothly in the bracket. Apply a very thin layer of silicone brake grease to the backs of the pad backing plates where they contact the piston and bracket.
9. 9

   Reinstall caliper and torque slide pins
   Remove the caliper from its supported position. Carefully position the caliper over the new brake pads and rotor, ensuring the pads remain properly seated. Align the caliper slide pin holes with the bracket. Apply silicone brake grease to the slide pin bolts before installation. Install both caliper slide pin bolts and thread them in by hand first to avoid cross-threading. Torque both slide pin bolts to specification in a final pass.
   Torque spec

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

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1 through 9 for the opposite rear wheel. It is critical to replace brake pads on both sides of the same axle simultaneously to maintain balanced braking performance. Ensure all hardware, torque specifications, and procedures are identical on both sides.
    ⚠️Always replace brake pads in axle sets (both rear wheels). Replacing only one side creates dangerous brake imbalance.
11. 11

    Reinstall wheels
    Clean the wheel hub mounting surface and wheel mating surface with a wire brush to ensure proper seating. Install the rear wheels onto the hubs, threading lug nuts on by hand. Using a torque wrench, tighten lug nuts in a star pattern to specification. Make multiple passes, gradually increasing torque until final specification is reached.
    Torque spec

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

    Restore brake fluid and bleed if necessary
    Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir. Top off with fresh DOT 4 brake fluid to the MAX line. If the brake pedal feels soft after pumping, or if the caliper pistons were fully compressed, bleeding may be necessary. For the Rivian EDV 500, the brake system may require electronic bleeding using the vehicle's diagnostics. If pedal feels firm after several pumps, bleeding may not be required.
13. 13

    Lower vehicle and perform final torque check
    Remove jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle to the ground. With the vehicle on the ground, perform a final torque check on all wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure they are properly seated and torqued. Disable Service Mode through the vehicle display.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts203 Nm (150 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all caliper slide pin bolts are torqued to 30.0 Nm (22 lb-ft) with silicone brake grease applied
2. Verify all wheel lug nuts are torqued to 140.0 Nm (103 lb-ft) in a star pattern
3. Check that brake fluid reservoir is filled to MAX line with fresh DOT 4 fluid
4. Confirm Service Mode has been disabled and vehicle returns to normal operation
5. Do not drive vehicle until brake pedal verification is complete

Verification

• Before moving the vehicle, pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm and returns to normal height. The pedal should not go to the floor.
• Start the vehicle and verify no brake warning lights are illuminated on the instrument cluster
• Perform a slow-speed test (5-10 mph) in a safe area to verify brakes engage properly and vehicle stops straight without pulling
• Check for any unusual noises such as grinding, squealing, or rubbing during initial brake applications (light noise is normal for the first few stops)
• After test drive, inspect all wheel areas for brake fluid leaks around calipers and brake lines
• Perform proper brake pad bedding procedure: Drive 200-300 miles with gentle braking to allow pads to seat, then perform 8-10 moderate stops from 40 mph to 10 mph with 30 seconds between each stop to heat-cycle the pads and rotors
• Re-torque wheel lug nuts after first 50 miles of driving
• Avoid hard braking and highway speeds for the first 200 miles to allow proper pad break-in

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