🔧 Rear Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

Your CR-V uses rear disc brakes with an electronic parking brake, so the rear calipers must be put into service mode before you remove anything. The job is straightforward, but the EPB and brake hardware need to be handled carefully so you do not damage the caliper or rotor.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• The rear parking brake is electronic. Put the EPB in service mode before retracting the pistons.
• Use jack stands. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Brake parts may be hot if the vehicle was recently driven.
• Keep grease and brake fluid off the rotor and pad friction surfaces.
• Battery disconnect is not usually required, but keep the ignition off unless the service mode procedure or scan tool requires it.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for vehicle weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug wrench or 19mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• EPB scan tool or brake service tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Shop towels
• Bungee cord or mechanic’s hook
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake rotor - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the transmission in Park.
• Chock the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake only when the vehicle is safely supported and you are following EPB service mode steps.
• Use your scan tool to place the rear electronic parking brake in service mode before removing the calipers.
• Keep the ignition on only as needed for EPB service mode.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the rear wheel nuts

• Use a 19mm lug wrench or 19mm socket to break the rear wheel nuts loose while the CR-V is still on the ground.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Raise and support the vehicle

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear of the vehicle at the proper lift point.
• Set the vehicle securely on jack stands.
• Remove the rear wheels with the 19mm lug wrench or 19mm socket.

Step 3: Put the rear EPB in service mode

• Use an EPB scan tool or brake service tool to retract the electronic parking brake.
• Follow the tool prompts until the rear calipers are in service position.
• Do not skip this step.

Step 4: Remove the rear caliper

• Use a 12mm socket to remove the rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or mechanic’s hook.
• Torque when reinstalling: 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Remove the old brake pads and hardware

• Remove the inner and outer pads from the caliper bracket.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver if needed to gently release pad clips.
• Remove the pad clips and hardware from the bracket.
• Clean the bracket with brake cleaner and a wire brush.

Step 6: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Torque when reinstalling: 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs)

Step 7: Remove the rotor

• If the rotor is stuck, use a flat-blade screwdriver to back off the access adjuster through the service hole if needed.
• Remove the rotor from the hub.
• If it is seized, tap it gently from the back side with a rubber mallet.
• Clean the hub face first.

Step 8: Install the new rotor

• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and brake cleaner.
• Install the new rotor on the hub.
• If your rotor has a retaining screw, install it with the correct small Phillips screwdriver or 10mm socket depending on the hardware used.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Install and tighten the bolts with a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs)

Step 10: Install the new pads and hardware

• Install the new pad clips into the bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper grease to the pad contact points and slide surfaces only.
• Install the new inner and outer pads.
• Make sure the pads sit fully in the clips.

Step 11: Compress the caliper piston and reinstall the caliper

• Use a brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty) to retract the rear piston as needed after EPB service mode is active.
• Slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts with a 12mm socket.
• Torque to 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs)

Step 12: Reinstall the wheel and lower the vehicle

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts with the 19mm lug wrench or 19mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle with the floor jack.
• Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs)

Step 13: Exit EPB service mode

• Use the EPB scan tool or brake service tool to return the parking brake system to normal mode.
• Confirm the parking brake warning light clears.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• Apply and release the parking brake to confirm normal operation.
• Check both rear calipers for leaks or unusual rubbing.
• Do a short, low-speed test drive and listen for noise.
• For new pads and rotors, make several gentle stops first to help them bed in.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $180-$360 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$490 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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