🔧 Pilot - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, retract the rear caliper piston, replace the brake pads and hardware, then reassemble and bed-in the new pads. On your Pilot, the rear brakes may be tied to an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), so you must put the EPB into service/maintenance mode before compressing the caliper piston.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the Pilot with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• 🛑 If equipped with Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), set EPB service/maintenance mode before pushing the piston in, or you can damage the caliper/EPB motor.
• 🛑 Keep hands clear of pinch points and wear gloves and safety glasses.
• 🛑 Brake dust is harmful—use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• 🛑 Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor.

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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
• 21mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (30-150 ft-lbs range)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• 12mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Flat trim tool
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord
• 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 grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, turn the engine off, and place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• 🧠 Assumption: Your Pilot uses an EPB. If your rear calipers have an electric motor on them, follow the EPB steps below.
• 🔌 If using a scan tool, have it ready before lifting the vehicle: Honda HDS-capable scan tool (EPB maintenance mode).
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for pad replacement.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the rear lug nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen (do not remove) the rear wheel lug nuts.

Step 2: Raise and support the rear of the Pilot

• Use a floor jack to lift at the proper rear jacking point.
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands and verify it’s stable before you work.

Step 3: Remove the rear wheels

• Use a 21mm socket to remove the lug nuts, then remove both rear wheels.

Step 4: Put the EPB into service/maintenance mode (if equipped)

• Service mode retracts the EPB.
• Scan-tool method (preferred): Use a Honda HDS-capable scan tool (specialty) and command EPB Maintenance Mode (rear brakes).
• Dash/switch method (if available on your Pilot): Follow the on-screen cluster prompts for EPB Maintenance Mode. If your cluster does not offer this function, do not force the piston—use the scan-tool method.

Step 5: Remove the rear caliper bolts

• Turn the steering slightly if needed for access (rear access is usually straight-on).
• Use a 12mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it with a bungee cord (do not let it hang by the hose).

Step 6: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer pads out by hand. Use a flat trim tool gently if they’re stuck.
• Remove the stainless abutment clips from the bracket using a flat trim tool.

Step 7: Clean the bracket and prep contact points

• Spray the bracket with brake cleaner spray and scrub with a wire brush.
• Install the new abutment clips from the hardware kit.
• Apply a thin film of brake caliper grease (silicone) where the pad ears slide on the clips.

Step 8: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap (under the hood) to allow fluid to rise easier.
• Use a brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston straight back into the caliper.
• If the piston will not compress smoothly, stop—EPB may not be fully in service mode.

Step 9: Install the new rear brake pads

• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a small amount of brake caliper grease (silicone) to the caliper slide pins if they are clean and moving freely.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper

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

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall the wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Pilot off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2" drive torque wrench to tighten lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs)

Step 12: Exit EPB service/maintenance mode

• If you used a scan tool, use the Honda HDS-capable scan tool (specialty) to command EPB Maintenance Mode OFF.
• Verify the EPB applies and releases normally.

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✅ After Repair

• 🦶 With the engine off, pump the brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until it feels firm.
• 🧴 Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed (do not overfill).
• 🔍 Test at low speed first. Confirm no grinding, pulling, or warning lights.
• 🛣️ Brake pad bed-in: make 6-10 moderate stops from ~30 mph to ~5 mph, allowing short cool-down between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $60-$180 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$270 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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