🔧 Pilot - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, take the calipers off, replace the brake pads and rotors, then reassemble and torque everything correctly. New rotors give the pads a flat, clean surface so the brakes are smooth and quiet.

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

Assumption: Your Pilot has rear calipers that compress straight in; if yours has an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), follow the EPB steps below.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the Pilot with jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• 🔥 Brakes can be extremely hot; let them cool before starting.
• 🧴 Avoid breathing brake dust; use brake cleaner and a damp wipe—no compressed air.
• 🚫 Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor.
• 🅿️ If equipped with EPB, put it in maintenance/service mode before pushing pistons back.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not 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 (pair, rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 3/8" ratchet
• 1/2" breaker bar
• 12mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Torque wrench (20–200 ft-lbs range)
• Large C-clamp
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Flat blade screwdriver
• #3 Phillips screwdriver
• Hand impact driver (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaner
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Scan tool with EPB maintenance mode (specialty)

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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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake pad hardware kit (clips) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the engine off, and put the transmission in Park.
• Chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Release the parking brake. (Rear brakes must be free to remove the rotors.)
• Open the hood and loosen the brake fluid cap (do not remove it). This helps the pistons push back easier.
• If your Pilot has EPB, use a scan tool with EPB maintenance mode (specialty) to retract the rear parking brake motors before you compress the pistons.

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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 loosen the rear lug nuts about 1/2 turn while the tires are on the ground.
• Use a floor jack to lift the rear at the proper jacking point, then place jack stands under the rear support points.
• Lower onto the jack stands and give the Pilot a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable.

Step 2: Remove the rear wheels

• Remove the lug nuts with a 19mm socket and 3/8" ratchet, then remove both rear wheels.

Step 3: EPB check (only if equipped)

• If you have an EPB switch on the console, connect a scan tool with EPB maintenance mode (specialty) and command EPB Maintenance Mode (wording varies by tool).
• EPB service mode prevents motor damage.

Step 4: Remove the rear caliper (keep it supported)

• Use a 12mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Carefully lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper using a brake caliper hanger hook. Do not let it hang by the brake hose.

Step 5: Remove the old pads and inspect the slide pins

• Remove the brake pads from the bracket by hand. Use a flat blade screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• Pull the slide pins out (they slide in rubber boots). Wipe them clean with shop towels.
• Apply a thin coat of brake caliper grease (silicone) to the slide pins, then reinstall them so they move smoothly.
• Slide pins must move freely for even braking.

Step 6: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 17mm socket and breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Set the bracket aside.

Step 7: Remove the rotor

• If your rotor has retaining screws, use a #3 Phillips screwdriver. If they’re tight, use a hand impact driver (specialty) to prevent stripping.
• Pull the rotor straight off. If it’s stuck from rust, spray brake parts cleaner around the hub and tap the rotor hat area firmly (use the breaker bar handle if needed) until it loosens.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush so the new rotor sits flat.

Step 8: Install the new rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake parts cleaner and wipe with shop towels (removes anti-rust oil).
• Place the new rotor onto the hub. If your rotor uses retaining screws, reinstall them using a #3 Phillips screwdriver (snug only).

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper bracket and hardware clips

• Install new pad clips (hardware) onto the bracket by hand.
• Reinstall the bracket and start the bolts by hand.
• Tighten using a 17mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Compress the caliper piston

• Place one old brake pad against the piston face.
• Use a large C-clamp to slowly press the piston back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing—if it gets too full, remove a little fluid (use shop towels to protect paint).
• Slow pressure helps prevent seal damage.

Step 11: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Apply a very thin film of brake caliper grease (silicone) to the pad “ears” where they touch the clips (metal-to-metal contact points only).
• Install the new pads into the bracket by hand.
• Set the caliper over the new pads.
• Reinstall the slide pin bolts using a 12mm socket, then tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the other rear side

• Repeat Steps 4–11 for the other rear brake.

Step 13: Reinstall wheels and lower the Pilot

• Install wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Pilot off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench: Torque to 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs).

Step 14: EPB exit maintenance mode (only if equipped)

• Use the scan tool with EPB maintenance mode (specialty) to command EPB Close/Exit Maintenance Mode.

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons against the new pads).
• Check the brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• With the engine running, test brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• Bed-in (break-in) the pads: make 6–10 medium stops from ~30–35 mph down to ~5 mph, with light driving between stops to cool.
• Recheck for unusual noises and confirm there are no fluid leaks.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $160-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$550 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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