Assumption: Your Civic has the factory Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) (button on the console). The steps below include putting EPB into maintenance mode.

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🔧 Civic - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, retract the electronic parking brake, replace the rear brake pads, and swap the rotors. This restores braking performance and prevents noise/vibration caused by worn pads or warped rotors.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor.
• ⚠️ EPB must be placed in maintenance mode before compressing the rear caliper pistons, or you can damage the EPB mechanism.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful—avoid blowing it with air; use brake cleaner.
• ⚠️ Keep grease and brake fluid off pad/rotor friction surfaces.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (pair, rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range)
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• Socket extension (3" or 6")
• Phillips #3 screwdriver
• Impact driver (hand impact) (specialty)
• Caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Small wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Bungee cord
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop rags
• 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 rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Silicone brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and release the EPB (EPB light off).
• Turn Brake Hold off if equipped (indicator off).
• Loosen rear lug nuts 1/2 turn using a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Have your bungee cord ready so the caliper never hangs by the brake hose.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the EPB into Maintenance Mode

• Turn ignition to ON (engine off).
• Press and hold the brake pedal.
• Pull and hold the EPB switch UP.
• While holding the EPB switch up, turn ignition OFF then back to ON.
• Keep holding until the dash indicates EPB maintenance mode (you may hear the rear motors move).
• Maintenance mode lets the caliper retract safely.

Step 2: Lift and support the rear of the car

• Place wheel chocks at the front tires.
• Lift the rear using the floor jack at the rear center jacking point.
• Set the car onto jack stands at the rear side pinch welds.
• Give the car a gentle push to confirm it’s stable before you work.

Step 3: Remove rear wheels

• Remove lug nuts using a 19mm socket and ratchet.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them aside.

Step 4: Remove the rear caliper

• Turn the steering wheel straight (rear work is easiest with the hub straight).
• Remove the two caliper slide bolts using a 12mm socket and ratchet.
• Carefully lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension spring using a bungee cord.
• Never let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 5: Remove old pads and inspect

• Pull the pads out of the bracket by hand.
• Remove pad clips/shims (hardware) from the bracket.
• Spray the bracket area with brake cleaner spray and wipe with shop rags.

Step 6: Remove the caliper bracket

• Remove the bracket-to-knuckle bolts using a 14mm socket, breaker bar, and ratchet.
• Remove the bracket and set it aside.
• Torque to 65 Nm (48 ft-lbs) on reassembly.

Step 7: Remove the rotor

• If equipped with rotor retaining screws, remove them using a Phillips #3 screwdriver.
• If the screw is stuck, use a impact driver (hand impact) to break it loose.
• Pull the rotor off. If it’s seized, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet evenly until it frees up.

Step 8: Clean the hub and install the new rotor

• Clean rust from the hub face using a small wire brush.
• Apply a very thin coat of anti-seize compound to the hub face (not the wheel studs).
• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner spray and shop rags.
• Install the new rotor. Reinstall the rotor screw(s) if used (snug with Phillips #3 screwdriver).

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper bracket and hardware

• Reinstall the caliper bracket using a 14mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 65 Nm (48 ft-lbs)
• Install new pad clips from the hardware kit into the bracket.
• Add a thin film of silicone brake grease where the pad ears slide on the clips.
• Grease only metal-to-metal contact points.

Step 10: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap (under the hood) so fluid can move back easily.
• Use a caliper piston compression tool to slowly press the piston straight back into the caliper.
• A caliper piston compression tool is a clamp-like tool that pushes the piston back evenly without damaging it.
• Watch the brake fluid level; stop if it’s close to overflowing and remove a little fluid if needed.

Step 11: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a small amount of silicone brake grease to the pad backing plate contact points (not the friction material).
• Set the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the caliper slide bolts using a 12mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 27 Nm (20 ft-lbs)

Step 12: Repeat on the other rear side

• Repeat Steps 4–11 on the other rear wheel.
• Always replace pads/rotors in pairs.

Step 13: Reinstall wheels

• Install wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the car to the ground using the floor jack.
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a 19mm socket and torque wrench.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs)

Step 14: Exit EPB Maintenance Mode

• Turn ignition to ON.
• Press and hold the brake pedal.
• Push and hold the EPB switch DOWN until the system exits maintenance mode (you may hear motor movement).

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✅ After Repair

• With the car on the ground, pump the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off only with the correct fluid if needed.
• Start the car and confirm the EPB applies and releases normally.
• Road-test at low speed first, then gradually increase as you confirm normal braking.
• Pad break-in (recommended): make 6–8 smooth stops from 40 km/h to 10 km/h, with light cooling time between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹12,000-₹25,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹6,000-₹16,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹6,000-₹9,000 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹1,000-₹2,500/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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