🔧 CR-V - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rear brake rotors on your CR-V. The rear calipers use an electronic parking brake, so the parking brake motor must be put into maintenance mode before pushing the caliper piston back.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the rear calipers are removed.
• ⚠️ Your CR-V has an electronic parking brake, also called EPB. EPB means the parking brake is controlled by an electric motor on each rear caliper.
• ⚠️ The EPB must be placed in maintenance mode before compressing the rear caliper pistons.
• ⚠️ Never twist the rear caliper piston with pliers. On this CR-V, the piston should be pressed straight back only after EPB maintenance mode is active.
• ⚠️ Support the CR-V with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and do not blow dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair if using the EPB service procedure correctly.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 3-ton floor jack
• 3-ton jack stands
• 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 screwdriver
• Hand impact screwdriver (specialty)
• Brake caliper compression tool (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger
• Small flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake parts cleaning brush
• Rubber mallet
• Micrometer or brake rotor gauge
• OBD-II scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty)
• Brake cleaner spray
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• 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 - Qty: 2
• Rear brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Rear brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1-2 cans
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle
• Rotor retaining screws - Qty: 2, if damaged during removal

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your CR-V on a flat, solid surface.
• 🅿️ Leave the transmission in Park and chock the front wheels with wheel chocks.
• 🔋 Keep the battery charged. The EPB motor needs good voltage to enter and exit maintenance mode.
• 🧰 Use an OBD-II scan tool with EPB service mode. This is a tool that plugs into the diagnostic port and commands the parking brake motors to retract safely.
• 🧼 Open the brake fluid reservoir cap before compressing the caliper pistons. Place a clean rag around it to catch overflow.
• ⚠️ Do not set the parking brake once the rear brakes are apart.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Electronic Parking Brake Into Maintenance Mode

• Use the OBD-II scan tool with EPB service mode and plug it into the diagnostic port under the driver side dash.
• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• On the scan tool, select Honda > CR-V > Parking Brake / EPB > Maintenance Mode / Pad Replacement Mode.
• Follow the scan tool prompts until it says the rear parking brake motors are retracted.
• Turn the ignition OFF after the scan tool confirms service mode is active.
• Listen for both rear motors.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the rear wheels are still touching the ground.

Step 3: Raise and Support the Rear of the CR-V

• Use the 3-ton floor jack to lift the rear of your CR-V at the rear center jacking point.
• Place 3-ton jack stands under the rear side pinch weld jack points.
• Slowly lower the CR-V 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 and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the side of the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use the 14mm socket to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• If the slide pin spins, hold it with the 17mm wrench while removing the bolt with the 14mm socket.
• Lift the caliper off the pads.
• Support the caliper with the brake caliper hanger.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Rear Brake Pads

• Use your hands or a small flat-blade screwdriver to slide the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Note where the inner pad and outer pad are positioned before removal.
• Remove the old metal pad clips from the bracket using the small flat-blade screwdriver.

Step 7: Remove the Rear Caliper Bracket

• Use the 12mm socket or 14mm socket, depending on bolt head size, to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket and set it on a clean surface.
• Clean the bracket pad contact areas with the wire brush and brake parts cleaning brush.

Step 8: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Use the Phillips #3 screwdriver to remove the rotor retaining screw.
• If the screw is stuck, use the hand impact screwdriver with a Phillips #3 bit.
• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If the rotor is stuck from rust, tap around the rotor hat with the rubber mallet.
• Do not strike the wheel studs.

Step 9: Clean the Hub Face

• Use the wire brush to clean rust from the wheel hub face.
• Use brake cleaner spray to clean the area after brushing.
• The new rotor must sit flat against the hub to prevent brake vibration.
• Clean metal makes smooth brakes.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Rotor

• Clean both sides of the new rotor using brake cleaner spray.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• Install the rotor retaining screw using the Phillips #3 screwdriver.
• Torque to 10 Nm (7 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Service the Caliper Bracket and Slide Pins

• Pull the slide pins out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Slide pins are small moving pins that let the caliper move evenly as the brakes apply.
• Wipe the pins clean with a shop towel and inspect for rust or damage.
• Apply a thin coat of rear brake caliper slide pin grease to each pin.
• Push the pins back into the bracket and make sure they move smoothly.
• Install the new pad hardware clips by hand into the bracket.

Step 12: Reinstall the Rear Caliper Bracket

• Place the caliper bracket over the new rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 14mm socket or 12mm socket to tighten the bracket bolts.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Install the new rear brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pad ears sit inside the new metal clips.
• The friction material should face the rotor.
• Apply a very thin layer of brake grease only where the pad ears touch the clips.
• Do not get grease on the rotor or pad friction surface.

Step 14: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Use the brake caliper compression tool to press the caliper piston straight back into the caliper bore.
• A brake caliper compression tool slowly pushes the piston back so the thicker new pads will fit.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston. Remove excess fluid only if it approaches the top.
• Do not twist the piston.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Start both slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use the 17mm wrench to hold the slide pin if needed.
• Use the 14mm socket to tighten the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 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 the rear wheels by hand.
• Start all lug nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 18: Lower the CR-V and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the 3-ton floor jack to lift the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the 3-ton jack stands.
• Lower the CR-V until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 19mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 19: Exit EPB Maintenance Mode

• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Use the OBD-II scan tool with EPB service mode.
• Select Honda > CR-V > Parking Brake / EPB > Exit Maintenance Mode / Apply Parking Brake.
• Follow the scan tool prompts until both parking brake motors finish cycling.
• Turn the ignition OFF.

Step 20: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly 5-10 times.
• The pedal should become firm before driving.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your CR-V and confirm the brake warning light and parking brake light turn off normally.
• ✅ Test the electronic parking brake switch several times while parked.
• ✅ Check around both rear calipers for leaks.
• ✅ Drive slowly in a safe area and confirm the brake pedal feels firm.
• ✅ Perform a gentle bedding procedure: make 8-10 moderate stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, allowing the brakes to cool between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive: Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $160-$320 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$430 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 hours.

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