🔧 MDX - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the rear wheels, take off the rear brake calipers and brackets, replace the pads and rotors, then reassemble and torque everything correctly. On your MDX, the rear brakes are tied into the electronic parking brake (EPB), so you must put the EPB into service/maintenance mode before pushing the rear pistons in.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the MDX with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Put the EPB in service/maintenance mode before compressing rear caliper pistons.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor.
• ⚠️ Brake parts can contain irritating dust; use a mask and brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ If you open the brake fluid reservoir, keep fluid off paint.

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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
• 19mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Pliers
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• 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 (abutment clips/shims, if applicable) - Qty: 1
• Silicone brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, turn the steering wheel straight, and chock the front wheels.
• 🧰 Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the MDX (use a 19mm socket and breaker bar).
• 🛑 Put the electronic parking brake (EPB) into service/maintenance mode before you try to push the rear pistons in.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the EPB into service/maintenance mode

• Use your best option below; this allows the rear pistons to be pushed back safely.
• Option A (scan tool): Use an EPB-capable scan tool to command Rear EPB Service Mode (sometimes listed as “Pad Replacement Mode”).
• Option B (no scan tool): If your MDX supports switch-based maintenance mode, follow the on-screen prompts in the gauge cluster while using the EPB switch; if you don’t see any maintenance/service prompts, stop and use Option A.

Step 2: Lift the rear and remove the wheels

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear at the approved jacking point, then set the MDX onto jack stands.
• Remove the rear wheels using a 19mm socket and ratchet.

Step 3: Remove the rear caliper (leave the hose attached)

• Turn the caliper area for best access and locate the two caliper slide bolts.
• Remove the caliper slide bolts using a 12mm socket and ratchet.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it from the suspension using a bungee cord.
• Never let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the inner and outer pads out of the bracket by hand; use a flat-blade screwdriver gently if they’re stuck.
• Remove the pad abutment clips (hardware) using a flat-blade screwdriver.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Remove the two bracket-to-knuckle bolts using a 17mm socket and breaker bar.
• Set the bracket aside on a towel.

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• If equipped with rotor retaining screws, remove them with a flat-blade screwdriver (press hard to avoid stripping).
• Pull the rotor straight off the hub; if it’s stuck, tap the rotor hat firmly (not the braking surface) and wiggle it off.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and brake cleaner spray so the new rotor sits flat.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner spray and wipe with shop towels to remove protective oil.
• Install the rotor onto the hub and hold it flush (install retaining screws if your MDX has them).

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper bracket (torque it)

• Reinstall the bracket and start bolts by hand.
• Tighten using a 17mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Service the slide pins and install new hardware

• Pull the slide pins out (one at a time) and wipe them clean with shop towels.
• Apply a thin coat of silicone brake grease to the smooth part of each pin, then reinstall.
• Install new abutment clips from the hardware kit.
• Grease pins, not pad friction surfaces.

Step 10: Compress the rear caliper piston

• A caliper piston compression tool is a tool that pushes the piston back evenly so new thicker pads fit.
• Make sure the EPB is still in service/maintenance mode.
• Compress the piston slowly using the brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty).
• Watch the brake fluid level as you compress; if it rises near the top, remove a little fluid carefully with a hand siphon (do not spill).

Step 11: Install the new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Install the inner and outer pads into the bracket by hand.
• Lower the caliper over the pads.
• Install and tighten the slide bolts using a 12mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the other rear wheel

• Repeat Steps 3 through 11 for the opposite rear side.
• Do one side at a time to compare.

Step 13: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the MDX to the ground using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a 19mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• 🦶 With the MDX still parked, pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until it feels firm.
• 🅿️ Exit EPB service/maintenance mode using the scan tool (or the dash prompts, if your MDX used switch-based mode), then apply and release the EPB to confirm normal operation.
• 🔍 Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed with the correct fluid shown on the reservoir cap.
• 🧪 Test drive at low speed first; confirm no grinding, pulling, or warning lights.
• 🛑 Pad bedding (break-in): do several gentle stops from 30-40 mph, letting brakes cool between stops; avoid hard stops for the first 150-200 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $600-$950 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $220-$420 (parts only)

You Save: $380-$530 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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