Rear disc brake service on a JK is a one-hour-per-side job: pull the caliper, compress the piston, swap pads, and re-torque to 77 ft-lbs on the bracket bolts.
The JK runs disc brakes at all four corners from 2007 on, which is one of the upgrades JK owners take for granted until they go back and try to service drums on a TJ. Rear pads on a JK typically last 50,000 to 80,000 miles depending on tire size, towing, and how much you ride the brake in 4-low. Larger tires and aftermarket bumpers shorten that interval because the unsprung weight and total mass climb without a corresponding brake-system upgrade.
The factory rear pad is semi-metallic. Akebono ProACT ceramics (ACT1274) are the most common upgrade for owners who hate brake dust on the wheels. Ceramics also run cooler in stop-and-go driving but bite slightly softer when cold than semi-metallics. For tow rigs or anyone running 35s and up, PowerStop's Z36 truck-and-tow rear kit (K2798 covers fronts and rears) is the more honest answer than chasing exotic pads on stock-size rotors. You probably don't need slotted-and-drilled rotors for a JK that sees pavement and dirt — they look the part but the drilled holes are a stress riser, not a performance gain.
Inspect the parking brake shoes while you're back there. The JK uses a drum-in-hat parking brake inside the rear rotor, and the shoes get glazed and the adjusters seize on Jeeps that mostly live in 2WD-Auto. If the rotor won't pull off, back off the adjuster through the access slot before forcing it.
Torque the rear caliper guide pin bolts to 22 ft-lbs and the caliper bracket-to-knuckle bolts to 77 ft-lbs. Lug nuts go to 95 ft-lbs in a star pattern. Pump the pedal a dozen times before driving to seat the pad against the rotor — the first stop with new pads should be at low speed in a parking lot, not on the freeway.
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| Mopar OEM Rear Pad Set (semi-metallic) | Mopar | ~$65 |
| Akebono ProACT Ceramic Rear Pads | Akebono | ~$55 |
| PowerStop Z36 Truck/Tow Rear Rotor + Pad Kit | PowerStop | ~$180 |
| Centric Premium Rear Rotor (each) | Centric | ~$55 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.