🔧 RDX - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, take off the rear brake calipers and brackets, replace the rotors, then install new rear pads. This restores stopping power and prevents grinding, vibration, and uneven braking.

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

Assumption: torque specs shown are common for this Acura/Honda platform—verify with factory service info if available.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and chock the front wheels.
• ⚠️ Support the rear with jack stands before you go underneath.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake before removing rear calipers/rotors.
• ⚠️ Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose—use a hanger.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful—use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ If brake fluid gets on paint, wipe and rinse immediately.

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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 (pair)
• 19mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20–150 ft-lbs range)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Combination wrench set (12mm–17mm)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• C-clamp (6")
• Disc brake piston wind-back tool (specialty)
• Impact driver (hand удар-type) (specialty)
• #3 Phillips bit
• Dead-blow hammer
• Wire brush
• Brake caliper hanger hook (specialty)
• Drain pan
• 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 rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear pad hardware/clip kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 quart
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the shifter in Park, and fully release the parking brake.
• Chock both front wheels using wheel chocks.
• Crack the rear lug nuts loose 1/4 turn using a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Lift the rear using a floor jack and support with jack stands at proper lift points.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level; if it’s near “MAX,” be ready to remove a little fluid (fluid rises when you push pistons back).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove rear wheels

• Finish removing lug nuts using a 19mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet (or breaker bar).
• Remove both rear wheels and set them aside.

Step 2: Remove the rear caliper

• Turn the steering wheel is not needed for rear; just position yourself for access.
• Locate the two caliper slide bolts on the back of the caliper.
• Remove the slide bolts using a 12mm socket (hold the slide pin with a 14mm wrench if it spins).
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it from the suspension using a brake caliper hanger hook.
• Tip: Never let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 3: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the brake pads out of the bracket by hand; use a flat-blade screwdriver gently if stuck.
• Remove the pad clips/hardware from the bracket.
• Clean the bracket pad “tracks” (where pads slide) using brake cleaner spray and a wire brush.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Remove the two bracket-to-knuckle bolts using a 17mm socket and breaker bar.
• Set the bracket on the ground.
• Reinstall later and Torque to 78 Nm (58 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• If your rotor has retaining screws, remove them using an impact driver with a #3 Phillips bit.
• Pull the rotor straight off. If it’s stuck, tap the rotor “hat” area with a dead-blow hammer until it breaks free.
• Clean the hub face using a wire brush, then spray with brake cleaner spray and wipe clean.
• Apply a very thin film of anti-seize compound to the hub face to help prevent future sticking.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner spray to remove packing oil.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• If equipped, reinstall rotor screws using the impact driver and #3 Phillips bit (snug—do not over-tighten).

Step 7: Service slide pins and reinstall the bracket

• Pull the slide pins out of the bracket by hand.
• Wipe old grease off, then apply fresh brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone).
• Reinstall slide pins and make sure they move smoothly.
• Reinstall the bracket using a 17mm socket.
• Torque to 78 Nm (58 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Wind back the rear caliper piston

• Rear caliper pistons on this style often need to be turned while being pushed in.
• Use a disc brake piston wind-back tool (specialty) to rotate and press the piston back into the caliper slowly.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir; if it rises too high, remove a little using a drain pan and careful siphoning (do not spill).
• Tip: Go slow to avoid seal damage.

Step 9: Install new pad hardware and pads

• Install new pad clips/hardware into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a light smear of brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) to the pad ears where they contact the clips (not on the pad friction material).
• Install the new pads into the bracket.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads.
• Reinstall the slide bolts using a 12mm socket (hold the pin with a 14mm wrench if needed).
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall wheels

• Put the wheels back on 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 and 19mm socket.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal firmly 10–15 times before driving until it feels normal.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• Apply and release the parking brake a few times to confirm it holds and releases normally.
• Test drive at low speed first; confirm no grinding, pulling, or vibration.
• Pad bed-in (break-in): make 6–10 moderate stops from 35–10 mph, allowing some cooling between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹18,000-₹35,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹9,000-₹22,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹9,000-₹13,000 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹800-₹2,000/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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