🔧 Pilot - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This job replaces the rear brake pads and rear rotors on your Pilot. The rear brakes use an electronic parking brake, so the parking brake motors must be placed into service mode before the calipers are removed.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Your Pilot uses an electronic parking brake, also called EPB. EPB means the parking brake is controlled by small electric motors at the rear calipers.
• ⚠️ Do not force the rear caliper piston back without putting the EPB into service mode first. This can damage the parking brake motor.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands. Never work under or beside a vehicle held only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and use brake cleaner instead of compressed air.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required if using a scan tool EPB service mode, but keep the ignition sequence controlled and do not operate the parking brake during the repair.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid may rise in the reservoir when compressing the caliper pistons. Check the level before pushing pistons back.

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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 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 socket
• Phillips #3 impact screwdriver
• Dead blow hammer
• C-clamp brake piston compressor
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaning brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Honda-compatible scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty)
• 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 caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle
• Rotor retaining screws - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Pilot on level ground.
• Leave the transmission in Park.
• Do not set the parking brake before starting the repair.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level. If it is near MAX, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the calipers.
• Use a Honda-compatible scan tool to enter EPB Maintenance Mode / Rear Brake Pad Replacement Mode before removing the rear calipers.
• A scan tool is an electronic service tool that talks to the vehicle’s brake control module and safely retracts the parking brake motors.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the EPB into service mode

• Use the Honda-compatible scan tool with EPB service mode.
• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Follow the scan tool menu for Electronic Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode > Rear Brake Pad Replacement.
• Wait until the scan tool confirms the EPB motors are retracted.
• Turn the ignition OFF after the scan tool confirms service mode is active.
• Do not touch the EPB switch.

Step 2: Loosen the rear lug nuts

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar.
• Loosen each rear lug nut about 1/2 turn while the tires are still on the ground.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.

Step 3: Raise and support the rear of the vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of your Pilot at the rear center jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the proper rear side support points.
• Lower the vehicle slowly onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 4: Remove the rear wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels.
• Slide one wheel under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 5: Remove the rear caliper

• Use the 12mm socket or 14mm socket, depending on the installed caliper slide bolt head size.
• Remove the two rear caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with the brake caliper hanger hook.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the old brake pads and hardware

• Use your hands with nitrile gloves to slide the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Use the brake parts cleaning brush to remove loose dust from the bracket area.
• Remove the old stainless pad clips from the caliper bracket.
• These clips are called abutment hardware. They let the pads slide smoothly as the brakes apply and release.

Step 7: Remove the rear caliper bracket

• Use the 17mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet or 1/2-inch drive breaker bar.
• Remove the two caliper bracket mounting bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket from the knuckle.

Step 8: Remove the rear rotor

• Use the Phillips #3 impact screwdriver to remove the rotor retaining screw.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap the rotor hat area with the dead blow hammer.
• Do not hit the wheel studs.
• Remove the rotor from the hub.
• Rust can make rotors stubborn.

Step 9: Clean the hub face

• Use the wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face.
• Use brake cleaner spray to wash away dust and debris.
• The new rotor must sit flat against the hub.
• A dirty hub can cause brake pulsation later.

Step 10: Install the new rear rotor

• Clean both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner spray.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• Install a new rotor retaining screw with the Phillips #3 impact screwdriver.
• Tighten the rotor retaining screw snugly. Do not over-tighten it.

Step 11: Service the caliper bracket

• Use the wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Install the new rear brake pad hardware clips by hand.
• Remove the caliper slide pins by hand and inspect them.
• Apply a light coat of brake caliper slide pin grease to the slide pins.
• Reinstall the slide pins into the bracket.
• Slide pins are small guide pins that allow the caliper to move evenly as the brakes apply.

Step 12: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 17mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Compress the rear caliper piston

• Confirm again that the EPB is in service mode before compressing the piston.
• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use the C-clamp brake piston compressor to slowly push the 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 before continuing.
• Compress slowly. Rushing can damage seals.

Step 14: Install the new rear brake pads

• Apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease only to the pad ears where they touch the hardware clips.
• Do not get grease on the pad friction surface or rotor face.
• Slide the new inner and outer pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• The pads should move freely in the clips without binding.

Step 15: Reinstall the rear caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both caliper slide bolts by hand.
• Use the 12mm socket or 14mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench.
• Torque to 23 Nm (17 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Repeat on the other rear side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 15 on the opposite rear brake.
• Always replace rear brake pads and rotors in pairs.

Step 17: Reinstall the rear wheels

• Install both rear wheels by hand.
• Thread the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Pilot to the ground.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench.
• Torque to 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs).

Step 18: Exit EPB service mode

• Use the Honda-compatible scan tool with EPB service mode.
• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Follow the scan tool menu for Electronic Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode > Exit / End Brake Pad Replacement.
• Wait for the scan tool to confirm normal EPB operation is restored.
• Turn the ignition OFF.

Step 19: Pump the brake pedal

• Sit in the driver seat.
• Press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the pedal feels firm.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• Start your Pilot and confirm the brake warning light turns off.
• Apply and release the electronic parking brake 2-3 times to confirm normal operation.
• Perform a slow test drive in a safe area before normal driving.
• Listen for scraping, grinding, clicking, or dragging noises.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive: 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs).
• Bed in the new pads with 8-10 moderate stops from about 35 mph to 10 mph. Let the brakes cool between stops.
• Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$750 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (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 1.5-2.5 hours.

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