How to Replace Rear Brake Pads and Rotors on a 2017 Honda Accord
Step-by-step instructions with tools, torque specs, safety tips, and installation guidance for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
How to Replace Rear Brake Pads and Rotors on a 2017 Honda Accord
Step-by-step instructions with tools, torque specs, safety tips, and installation guidance for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
🔧 Rear Brakes and Rotors - Replacement
Replacing the rear pads and rotors on your Accord restores braking feel, reduces noise, and helps prevent rotor damage from worn pads. This job is straightforward if you take your time and keep the brake hardware clean.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- Work on a level surface and chock the front wheels before lifting the car.
- Use jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
- Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
- Keep grease off the rotor and pad friction surfaces.
- Open the brake fluid reservoir cap slowly before compressing the caliper piston so fluid can return.
- If your car has a standard mechanical parking brake, fully release it before starting. If equipped with an electronic parking brake, put it in service mode first.
🔧 Required Tools
You'll need the following tools for this repair:
- Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
- Jack stands (pair, rated for vehicle weight)
- Wheel chocks
- 19mm socket
- 3/8-inch ratchet
- 1/2-inch breaker bar
- 14mm socket
- 17mm socket
- Torque wrench
- C-clamp
- Flat-blade screwdriver
- Bungee cord or mechanic’s wire
- Wire brush
- Brake cleaner
- Shop rags
- Safety glasses
- Nitrile gloves
🔩 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
- Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
- Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
- Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
đź“‹ Before You Begin
- Park on level ground and engage the parking brake.
- Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts before lifting the car.
- If the brake fluid reservoir is full, remove a small amount before pushing the pistons back.
- If your rear brake setup uses an electronic parking brake, switch to brake service mode before removing the calipers.
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Loosen and lift the rear
- Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear lug nuts while the car is still on the ground.
- Lift the rear of the car with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support it with jack stands (pair, rated for vehicle weight).
- Remove the rear wheels.
Step 2: Remove the caliper
- Use a 14mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
- Lift the caliper off the bracket.
- Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or mechanic’s wire; do not let it hang by the brake hose.
Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware
- Pull the old brake pads out of the bracket.
- Remove the pad clips and any anti-rattle hardware.
- Clean the bracket with brake cleaner and a wire brush.
- Clean metal parts help prevent brake squeal.
Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket
- Use a 17mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
- Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
Step 5: Remove the rotor
- Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
- If it is stuck, tap the rotor hat area with a rubber mallet or apply light penetrating force through the service holes if present.
- Clean the hub face with brake cleaner and a wire brush.
Step 6: Install the new rotor
- Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove protective oil.
- Install the rotor on the hub.
- If the rotor has a retaining screw, install it and tighten snugly.
Step 7: Reinstall the bracket
- Reinstall the caliper bracket using the 17mm socket.
- Torque to 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs).
Step 8: Prepare the new pads
- Install the new pad clips into the bracket.
- Apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease to the pad contact points and slide pins.
- Do not get grease on the rotor or pad friction material.
Step 9: Compress the caliper piston
- Use a C-clamp to slowly push the caliper piston back in.
- Make sure the piston goes in straight.
- Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston.
Step 10: Install the pads and caliper
- Install the new pads into the bracket.
- Set the caliper back over the pads.
- Use the 14mm socket to install the slide pin bolts.
- Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).
Step 11: Reinstall the wheel
- Put the wheel back on and hand-start the lug nuts.
- Lower the car and use a torque wrench with a 19mm socket to tighten the lug nuts.
- Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs) in a star pattern.
Step 12: Repeat on the other side
- Replace the rear brakes and rotors on both sides together.
- This keeps braking balanced.
âś… After Repair
- Press the brake pedal several times before moving the car.
- Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
- Test the brakes at low speed first.
- Listen for rubbing or squealing and recheck bolt torque if needed.
- For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops unless needed for safety.
- New pads need a short break-in period.
đź’° DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)
DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)
You Save: $270-$500 by doing it yourself!
Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.
🎯 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.
🔧 Rear Brake Pads and Rotors - Replacement
Replacing the rear pads and rotors will restore braking performance, reduce noise, and prevent rotor damage from worn pads. I’m assuming your Accord has a standard rear disc brake setup with a mechanical parking brake. If yours has an electronic parking brake, the rear calipers must be put into service mode first.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- Work on level ground and chock the front wheels before lifting the rear.
- Use jack stands. Never rely on the floor jack alone.
- Brake dust can be harmful. Do not use compressed air to clean parts.
- Keep grease off the rotor and pad friction surfaces.
- If the brake fluid reservoir is full, remove a little fluid before compressing the piston.
- Release the parking brake before removing the rear calipers.
🔧 Required Tools
You'll need the following tools for this repair:
- Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
- Jack stands (pair, rated for vehicle weight)
- Wheel chocks
- 19mm socket
- 14mm socket
- 17mm socket
- 3/8-inch ratchet
- 1/2-inch breaker bar
- Torque wrench
- C-clamp
- Flat-blade screwdriver
- Wire brush
- Brake cleaner
- Shop rags
- Bungee cord or mechanic’s wire
- Safety glasses
- Nitrile gloves
🔩 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
- Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
- Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
- Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
đź“‹ Before You Begin
- Park on level ground and chock the front wheels.
- Loosen the rear lug nuts before lifting the car.
- Set the parking brake only when you are ready to work, then release it before caliper removal.
- If your rear brake system uses an electronic parking brake, put it into service mode before starting.
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Loosen the rear wheels and raise the car
- Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the rear lug nuts while the vehicle is still on the ground.
- Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
- Support the car with jack stands (pair, rated for vehicle weight).
- Remove both rear wheels.
Step 2: Remove the caliper
- Use a 14mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
- Lift the caliper off the bracket.
- Hang it with bungee cord or mechanic’s wire. Do not let it hang from the brake hose.
Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware
- Pull out the old brake pads.
- Remove the pad clips and any anti-rattle hardware.
- Clean the bracket and contact points with brake cleaner and a wire brush.
- Clean contact points help prevent squeaks.
Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket
- Use a 17mm socket to remove the bracket bolts.
- Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
Step 5: Remove the rotor
- Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
- If it is stuck, tap the rotor hat area lightly or use the service holes if present.
- Clean the hub face with brake cleaner and a wire brush.
Step 6: Install the new rotor
- Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove the protective oil.
- Install the rotor on the hub.
- If the rotor has a retaining screw, reinstall it snugly.
Step 7: Reinstall the caliper bracket
- Install the bracket using the 17mm socket.
- Torque to 80 Nm (59 ft-lbs).
Step 8: Install the new pads and hardware
- Install the new pad clips into the bracket.
- Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the slide pins and pad contact points.
- Do not grease the pad friction material or rotor.
Step 9: Compress the caliper piston
- Use a C-clamp to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
- Make sure it goes in straight.
- Watch the brake fluid reservoir as you compress the piston.
Step 10: Reinstall the caliper
- Set the caliper back over the new pads.
- Use the 14mm socket to install the slide pin bolts.
- Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).
Step 11: Reinstall the wheel
- Put the wheel back on and hand-start the lug nuts.
- Lower the car.
- Use a torque wrench and 19mm socket to tighten the lug nuts.
- Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs) in a star pattern.
Step 12: Repeat on the other side
- Replace both rear sides together.
- This keeps braking balanced.
âś… After Repair
- Press the brake pedal several times before driving.
- Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
- Test the brakes at low speed first.
- Listen for noise and recheck your work if needed.
- Break in the new pads with several gentle stops before hard braking.
đź’° DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)
DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)
You Save: $270-$500 by doing it yourself!
Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.
🎯 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.
