🔧 Civic - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll replace the rear brake pads and rotors on your Civic (both sides). Worn pads/rotors reduce stopping power and can cause noise, vibration, or longer stopping distances.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the car with jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake before starting (rear calipers won’t come off correctly if it’s set).
• ⚠️ Don’t breathe brake dust; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• ⚠️ Brake parts get hot—work on a cool car.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (20–150 ft-lbs range)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Brake caliper piston rewind tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Phillips #3 screwdriver
• Impact driver (handheld) (specialty)
• M8 x 1.25 bolts (pair)
• Brake cleaner spray
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotors - Qty: 2 Replace in pairs
• Rear brake hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone-based) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the shifter in 1st gear, and chock the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake fully (rear caliper pistons must be able to retract).
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level. If it’s very full, be ready to remove a little so it doesn’t overflow when you push pistons back.
• Lay out parts for the left and right side separately.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen lug nuts and lift the rear

• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to crack the rear lug nuts loose (about 1/2 turn) while the car is on the ground.
• Lift the rear with a floor jack and support both sides with jack stands.
• Remove the wheels using the 19mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the rear caliper

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed—rear work is straight-on.
• Use a 12mm socket and ratchet to remove the 2 caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off and hang it with a bungee cord so the brake hose isn’t stretched.
• Never let the caliper dangle by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the pads and caliper bracket

• Slide the old pads out of the bracket. Use a flathead screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• Use a 17mm socket and breaker bar to remove the 2 caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket and set it aside.

Step 4: Remove the rotor

• If your rotor has retaining screws, use a Phillips #3 screwdriver. If they’re stuck, use a impact driver (handheld) (specialty).
• If the rotor is stuck to the hub, thread the M8 x 1.25 bolts (pair) into the two “jacking” holes in the rotor hat and tighten evenly to push the rotor off.
• If needed, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet to break rust free.

Step 5: Clean and prep the hub

• Use brake cleaner spray to wash brake dust off the area.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust off the hub face (where the rotor sits).
• Apply a very thin film of anti-seize compound to the hub face (avoid wheel studs and rotor braking surface).

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner spray to remove shipping oil.
• Install the rotor onto the hub. If you have retaining screws, reinstall them using a Phillips #3 screwdriver (snug, do not over-tighten).

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Position the bracket and start both bolts by hand.
• Tighten with a 17mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 65 Nm (47 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Service slide pins and install new hardware

• Pull the slide pins out (by hand). Clean them with brake cleaner spray and a rag.
• Apply a thin coat of brake caliper grease (silicone-based) to the smooth part of each slide pin, then reinstall.
• Install new pad clips/shims from the rear brake hardware kit onto the bracket.
• Grease only where pads “touch” the clips.

Step 9: Retract the rear caliper piston (it must rotate)

• On your Civic, the rear piston must be turned while pushing in (because the parking brake mechanism is inside the caliper).
• Use a brake caliper piston rewind tool (specialty) to rotate the piston clockwise while applying steady inward pressure.
• Caliper piston rewind tool = a tool that turns and pushes the piston in at the same time.
• Keep an eye on the brake fluid reservoir so it doesn’t overflow.

Step 10: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Apply a light smear of brake caliper grease (silicone-based) to pad “ears” (the small metal ends that slide in the clips). Do not get grease on pad friction material.
• Install the inner and outer pads into the bracket.
• Lower the caliper over the pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 12mm socket, then tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Repeat on the other rear side

• Do the same steps for the opposite rear wheel.
• Always replace pads/rotors as a pair.

Step 12: Reinstall wheels

• Install wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts.
• Lower the car off the stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench: Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal slowly 10–15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons against the pads).
• Set and release the parking brake a few times to confirm it feels normal.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Test drive at low speed first. Verify no pulling, grinding, or warning lights.
• Pad bedding (recommended): Make 6–8 moderate stops from ~35 mph to ~5 mph, with 30 seconds between stops, then drive a few minutes to cool.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $140-$320 (parts only)

You Save: $310-$530 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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