🔧 Ridgeline - Rear Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

Replacing the rear pads and rotors on your Ridgeline is straightforward mechanically, but there’s one critical catch: the rear calipers use an electronic parking brake (EPB), so the system must be put into a retract/service mode before you push the pistons back.

Once I confirm how you’ll retract the EPB, I can give you the exact step-by-step procedure and correct torque specs.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Do not compress the rear caliper piston until the EPB is retracted/service mode is set.
• 🧱 Support the truck with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• 🔥 Brakes can be hot; let everything cool before starting.
• 🔋 Key off during disassembly; keep hands clear when EPB motors move.

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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
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range)
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Flat trim tool
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Disc brake piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Impact driver with #3 Phillips bit
• Wire brush
• 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 - Qty: 2 (replace in pairs)
• Brake grease (silicone-based) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🧭 Park on level ground, turn the truck off, and chock the front wheels.
• 🅿️ Make sure the EPB is released before lifting the rear.
• 🔋 Keep a charger handy if you’ll cycle ignition/EPB multiple times.
• 🧰 EPB retraction setup depends on whether you have a scan tool that supports Honda EPB service mode.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Before I continue, answer these 2 quick questions so I give you the correct EPB retraction steps and torque specs:

• Do you have a scan tool that can run Honda EPB Maintenance/Service Mode (Autel, Launch, Snap-on, etc.)?
• When you look at the rear rotors (through the wheel), do you see a small Phillips rotor retaining screw on the rotor face?

Reply with “yes/no” to each and I’ll finish the full procedure.

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✅ After Repair

• Perform an EPB function check (apply/release) and confirm no warning lights.
• Pump the brake pedal until it’s firm before driving.
• Do a cautious road test and verify no pulling, grinding, or pulsation.
• Follow the pad/rotor bedding procedure recommended with your pads.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$450 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$400 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?

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.