🔧 CR-V - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads restores safe stopping power and prevents rotor damage when pads get thin or noisy. On your CR-V, the rear caliper piston must be rotated while being pushed in because the parking brake mechanism is built into the caliper.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and use jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake fully before starting, or the rear calipers won’t come off correctly.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful—avoid blowing dust; use brake cleaner instead.
• ⚠️ Keep brake fluid off paint; it can damage the finish.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for this job.

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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
• Lug wrench or 19mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs range)
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• Breaker bar (3/8" or 1/2" drive)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Caliper piston rewind tool (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord or mechanic’s wire
• 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 hardware kit (abutment clips) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone brake grease) - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• Make sure the parking brake is fully released.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; remove the cap and set it loosely on top.
• Loosen (do not remove) the rear wheel lug nuts using a 19mm socket before lifting the vehicle.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the rear of the vehicle

• Lift the rear using a floor jack at the rear center jack point, then support both sides with jack stands.
• Remove both rear wheels using a 19mm socket.

Step 2: Remove the caliper (keep the brake hose safe)

• Turn the steering of your hands only: locate the rear caliper and the two slide-pin bolts.
• Use a 12mm socket to remove the caliper slide-pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it from the suspension using a bungee cord or mechanic’s wire.
• Never let the caliper dangle by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Remove the inner and outer pads from the bracket by hand; use a flathead screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• Remove the pad shims/clips (abutment clips) from the bracket using a flathead screwdriver.
• Spray the bracket pad “tracks” with brake cleaner spray and scrub with a wire brush.

Step 4: Check and service the slide pins

• Pull the slide pins out of the bracket by hand (twist and pull).
• Wipe them clean and apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease.
• Reinsert the pins and make sure they glide smoothly.
• Sticky pins cause uneven pad wear.

Step 5: Retract (rewind) the rear caliper piston

• Look at the piston face: you’ll see notches. This piston must be turned clockwise while pushing in.
• Install the caliper piston rewind tool (specialty) onto the piston notches and slowly rotate/push the piston in until it bottoms.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while you do this; if it starts to overflow, remove some fluid using needle-nose pliers to lift the reservoir screen slightly and absorb with a clean shop towel (do not contaminate fluid).
• Go slowly to avoid damaging the caliper.

Step 6: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new abutment clips onto the bracket by hand (they should snap in).
• Apply a very light smear of brake caliper slide pin grease where the pad “ears” slide on the clips (do not get grease on pad friction material).
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Set the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the slide-pin bolts using a 12mm socket.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall the wheels and hand-thread the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle off the jack 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

• With the engine off, pump the brake pedal slowly using your foot until it feels firm (this seats the pads).
• Check brake fluid level and reinstall the reservoir cap securely.
• Test the parking brake: set and release it a few times to confirm normal feel.
• Do a cautious road test: low-speed stops first, then normal stops.
• If pedal stays soft, do not drive—recheck installation.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $110-$390 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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