🔧 Civic - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rear brake rotors on your Civic. Rear pads wear down over time, and rotors should be replaced if they are grooved, warped, rust-pitted, or below minimum thickness.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Your Civic uses an electronic parking brake, so the rear caliper motors must be placed into maintenance mode before pushing the pistons back.
• ⚠️ Never compress the rear caliper piston unless the electronic parking brake is released or retracted, or the caliper motor can be damaged.
• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the car with jack stands. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and use brake cleaner instead of compressed air.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the calipers are removed.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair if using the scan-tool EPB maintenance procedure.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• OBD2 scan tool with electronic parking brake service function (specialty)
• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• Phillips #3 impact screwdriver
• Dead blow hammer
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Disc brake piston compression tool (specialty)
• Small flathead screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray nozzle
• Shop towels
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Dust mask

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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 pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• Synthetic brake grease - Qty: 1 tube
• Brake fluid DOT 3 - Qty: 1 small bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Civic on level ground.
• Shift to Park and chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• Release the parking brake before starting.
• Use an OBD2 scan tool with electronic parking brake service function. This tool talks to the parking brake computer and retracts the rear caliper motors safely.
• Open the brake fluid reservoir cap under the hood. Lay a shop towel around it in case fluid rises when the rear pistons are compressed.
• If brake fluid is already at the MAX line, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the pistons.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Electronic Parking Brake in Maintenance Mode

• Use the OBD2 scan tool with electronic parking brake service function and connect it to the OBD port under the driver-side dashboard.
• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Select Honda > Civic > Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode / Pad Replacement Mode > Enter.
• Wait until the scan tool says the electronic parking brake has retracted or service mode is active.
• Listen for the rear motors.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.

Step 3: Raise and Support the Rear of the Car

• Use the floor jack at the rear center jacking point or approved side pinch weld jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear support points.
• Lower the car gently onto the jack stands.
• Give the car a light shake by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the side of the car as an extra safety backup.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Work on one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.
• Use a 12mm socket to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it with a 17mm wrench while removing the bolt with the 12mm socket.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a brake caliper hanger hook. A caliper hanger hook supports the caliper so the brake hose is not stretched.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Use your hands or a small flathead screwdriver to slide the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Use the small flathead screwdriver to remove the old metal pad clips from the bracket.
• These clips are called abutment hardware. They let the pads slide smoothly.

Step 7: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the two rear caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket and set it on a clean surface.
• Clean the pad contact areas on the bracket with a wire brush and brake cleaner spray nozzle.

Step 8: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Use a Phillips #3 impact screwdriver to remove the rotor retaining screw if equipped.
• An impact screwdriver is struck with a hammer to loosen tight screws without stripping them.
• If the rotor is stuck from rust, tap the rotor hat area with a dead blow hammer.
• Remove the rotor from the hub.
• Clean the wheel hub face with a wire brush and brake cleaner spray nozzle.
• A clean hub prevents brake vibration.

Step 9: Install the New Rear Rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner and wipe it dry with shop towels.
• Install the new rotor onto the hub.
• If your rotor uses a retaining screw, install it with the Phillips #3 impact screwdriver and tighten it snugly.

Step 10: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Place the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Use the 14mm socket to install the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Tighten the caliper bracket bolts with the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to Torque to 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Install New Pad Hardware and Pads

• Snap the new rear brake pad hardware into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of synthetic brake grease to the metal pad ears only.
• Do not put grease on the pad friction surface or rotor face.
• Slide the new rear brake pads into the bracket by hand.
• The pad should move smoothly in the hardware without forcing it.

Step 12: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Confirm the electronic parking brake is still in maintenance mode using the OBD2 scan tool with electronic parking brake service function.
• Use the disc brake piston compression tool to slowly push the rear caliper piston straight back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston.
• If fluid gets close to overflowing, remove a small amount and keep the area clean.
• Go slow to protect seals.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Use the 12mm socket to install the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• If the slide pin turns, hold it with the 17mm wrench.
• Tighten the caliper slide pin bolts with the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 13 on the opposite rear wheel.
• Use the same tools and torque specs.
• Always replace rear pads and rotors in pairs.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install both rear wheels by hand.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Raise the car slightly with the floor jack, remove the jack stands, and lower the car to the ground.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 19mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Exit Electronic Parking Brake Maintenance Mode

• Use the OBD2 scan tool with electronic parking brake service function.
• Select Honda > Civic > Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode / Pad Replacement Mode > Exit.
• Wait for the scan tool to confirm the parking brake has returned to normal operation.
• Turn the ignition OFF, then ON again.

Step 17: Seat the Brake Pads Before Moving

• Press the brake pedal slowly 5-10 times until it feels firm.
• Use your eyes to check the brake fluid reservoir level.
• Add DOT 3 brake fluid if needed to bring the level between MIN and MAX.
• Reinstall the brake fluid reservoir cap by hand.

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✅ After Repair

• Start your Civic and confirm the brake pedal feels firm.
• Apply and release the electronic parking brake several times to confirm it works normally.
• Check for warning lights on the dash.
• Perform a slow test drive in a safe area. Stop gently several times from low speed.
• For bedding-in, make 8-10 moderate stops from about 30-35 mph, allowing the brakes to cool slightly between stops.
• Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles with the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 19mm lug nut socket.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$260 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$390 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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