🔧 Rear Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

The rear brake pads and rotors on your Accord wear together, so replacing both at the same time gives you smoother braking and helps prevent noise or pulsing. This job also gives you a chance to inspect the caliper slide pins and parking brake hardware while everything is apart.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• Use jack stands; never rely on the floor jack alone.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Support the caliper with wire or a bungee strap so the brake hose is not stretched.
• If your rear parking brake is electronic, put it in service mode before starting. If it is a manual lever, fully release it.
• Wear safety glasses and gloves. Brake dust is harmful.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for vehicle weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Bungee cord or mechanic's wire
• 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
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground.
• Set the parking brake only if it is not the rear caliper type that must be serviced. If in doubt, release it before removing the rear wheels.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the car.
• Lift the rear and secure it on jack stands.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the rear wheels

• Use the 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts if needed.
• Raise the rear of the car with the floor jack, then lower it onto jack stands.
• Remove the lug nuts and wheels.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use the 14mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or mechanic's wire.
• Do not let the hose twist.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the old pads out of the bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and shims if your new hardware kit includes replacements.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to gently free stuck clips if needed.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use the 17mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Torque on reassembly: 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor off the hub.
• If it is stuck, spray penetrating force on the hub center and tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet if available.
• Use the wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the hub with brake cleaner and wipe it clean.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner before installation.
• Slide the rotor onto the hub.
• If equipped, reinstall the small rotor retaining screw.
• Keep the hub face perfectly clean.

Step 7: Reinstall the bracket and prepare the caliper

• Install the caliper bracket with the 17mm socket.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).
• Clean and lightly grease the caliper slide pins with brake grease if they move freely.

Step 8: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp or brake caliper compression tool (specialty) to push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Compress it slowly and keep it square.
• If the piston will not retract, stop and check for parking brake or caliper issues.

Step 9: Install new pads and caliper

• Install the new pad clips and pads into the bracket.
• Apply a small amount of brake grease to the pad contact points and slide areas only.
• Reinstall the caliper over the pads.
• Use the 14mm socket to install the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the car to the ground.
• Use the torque wrench and 21mm socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level.
• Start the car and test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• Listen for rubbing or grinding.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops so the new pads can bed in.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$500 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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