🔧 Pilot - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Pilot means removing the rear calipers, swapping the pads, and compressing the caliper pistons so the new (thicker) pads fit. Because your Pilot uses an electronic parking brake (EPB), you must put the EPB into a service/maintenance mode before pushing the pistons back.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the Pilot with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Let brakes cool first; hot rotors/calipers can burn you.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• ⚠️ EPB precaution: put the EPB in Maintenance/Service Mode before compressing pistons, or you can damage the system.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint; wipe spills immediately.

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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) - Qty: 2
• Wheel chocks - Qty: 2
• 21mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range)
• Ratchet
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord or mechanic wire
• Small wire brush
• Shop rags
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant (silicone or synthetic caliper grease) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the steering wheel straight, and place wheel chocks at the front wheels.
• Confirm the rear parking brake is released (EPB light off).
• Loosen rear lug nuts 1/2 turn with a 21mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Open the hood and remove the brake fluid reservoir cap (set it on loosely). This helps fluid move back when compressing pistons.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the EPB into service mode

• Option A (recommended): Use a scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty) and select the function for EPB Maintenance/Pad Replacement to retract the rear caliper motors.
• Option B: If you don’t have a scan tool, tell me whether you want the built-in button procedure for the EPB on your Pilot, and I’ll give the exact sequence for your dash setup.
• Don’t compress pistons until EPB retracts.

Step 2: Raise the rear and remove the wheels

• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the rear jacking point.
• Set the rear on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper support points.
• Remove lug nuts using a 21mm socket and remove both rear wheels.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper (one side at a time)

• Turn the steering wheel slightly if you need more hand room (rear access is usually fine as-is).
• Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and ratchet.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it from the suspension using a bungee cord or mechanic wire (never let it hang by the hose).

Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware

• Slide the inner and outer pads out of the bracket by hand (use a flat-blade screwdriver gently if stuck).
• Remove pad shims/clips if your new pads include replacement hardware.
• Clean the bracket “pad lands” (where clips sit) using a small wire brush and brake cleaner.

Step 5: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Make sure EPB is still in service mode (from Step 1).
• Place the old inner pad against the piston, then compress the piston slowly using a brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty) until fully seated.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing; remove excess with a rag if it gets too full.
• Go slow to avoid fluid overflow.

Step 6: Lubricate and install the new pads

• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to pad ears where they contact the clips (do not get grease on pad friction material).
• Install the new pad clips/hardware (if included), then slide the new pads into the bracket.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Install and tighten the slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs)

Step 8: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Do the same steps on the opposite rear side.
• Always replace pads in pairs.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and lower the Pilot

• Reinstall wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Pilot, then torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a 21mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs)

Step 10: Exit EPB service mode and restore pedal feel

• Use your scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty) to command EPB out of maintenance mode.
• Pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until it feels firm (engine off).
• Apply and release the EPB a couple times to confirm normal operation.

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✅ After Repair

• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• Start the Pilot and confirm the brake pedal feels normal and doesn’t sink.
• Test drive at low speed first; confirm no grinding and normal stopping.
• Do 6-10 moderate stops from 30 mph to 5 mph to bed the pads (no panic stops).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$600 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $170-$540 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?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.