How to Change the Rear Brake Pads on a Kia Spectra

Changing the rear brake pads on a Kia Spectra requires a special tool to properly seat the caliper piston back into its bore. Kia recommends using tool number OK9A4263001, which might be difficult to find in your local auto parts store. However, you can use a universal brake caliper rewind tool, and some home mechanics have found that a good pair of needle-nose pliers work just fine. It is important not to damage the piston boot to avoid expensive repairs.

Removing the Brake Pads

Park your Kia Spectra on a level surface, set the transmission to Neutral and release the parking brake.

Open the hood and siphon at least half the fluid from the reservoir on the brake master cylinder into a plastic bottle using a clean turkey baster. Store the old fluid in a safe place for recycling later.

Loosen the lug nuts on both rear wheel assemblies with a lug wrench.

Raise both rear wheel/tire assemblies using a floor jack and install a jack stand on each side under the frame, near the wheels, for support. Lower the vehicle over the jack stands and remove the floor jack.

Remove both rear wheels and replace the brake pads on one brake assembly at a time.

Detach the clip holding the caliper brake hose to the suspension arm using a pair of nose pliers, if your Kia model is equipped with it.

Unscrew and remove the upper and lower caliper guide bolts using a ratchet and a hex socket.

Lift the brake caliper from the caliper bracket and secure it to one of the suspension components with mechanic’s wire to prevent damage to the brake hose connected to the caliper.

Make a note of the mounting position of the plate wear indicator behind the inner brake pad on the caliper bracket and the shim behind the outer brake pad on the caliper bracket and remove the brake pads, plate indicator and shim.

Installing the New Brake Pads

Wipe brake dust from the brake assembly using brake parts cleaner and lint-free towels.

Rotate the brake caliper piston slowly using a brake-caliper rewind tool to seat the piston into its bore, making sure to align the piston cutout with the tab on the back of the new inner-brake pad.

Install the plate wear indicator, new inner brake pad, new outer brake pad and shim on the caliper bracket.

Position the brake caliper on the bracket and hand-tighten the upper and lower caliper guide bolts. Tighten the guide bolts with the ratchet and hex socket.

Attach the brake hose to the suspension arm using the nose pliers, if your Kia model is equipped with it.

Replace the brake pads on the opposite brake assembly as described above, beginning with Step 6 of the previous section.

Install both rear wheels and lug nuts.

Lower the vehicle using the floor jack and finish tightening the lug nuts.

Add new brake fluid to the reservoir on the brake master cylinder to bring the level to the "Full" mark.

Depress fully the brake pedal five times to seat the new brake pads on the brake rotor.

Road-test your Kia on a lightly used road to make sure the brakes are working properly.

Drive to a highway with few cars, slow the vehicle from 60 mph to 10 mph and repeat eight times without stopping. Then cruise at about 40 to 50 mph to allow the brakes to cool down. This will help bed your new brake pads, prevent brake squeal and extend the service life of your new pads.