🔧 Odyssey - Rear Brake Pads & Rotors Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads and rear brake rotors on your Odyssey. The rear calipers must be moved out of the way, the old rotors removed, and the caliper piston compressed before the new pads are installed.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool vehicle. Brake parts can get very hot after driving.
• ⚠️ Support your Odyssey with jack stands. Never work under or around a vehicle held only by a jack.
• ⚠️ The rear brakes on your Odyssey use a standard parking-brake cable system, not an electronic parking brake.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake before removing the rear rotors.
• ⚠️ Do one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air; use brake cleaner.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

---

🔧 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
• Ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• 12mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Phillips #3 impact screwdriver (specialty)
• Hammer
• Flathead screwdriver medium
• C-clamp 6-inch
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop towels
• Brake grease packet
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Dust mask

---

🔩 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 hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1-2 cans
• Brake grease packet - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Odyssey on level ground.
• Shift the transmission to Park.
• Release the parking brake completely.
• Place wheel chocks in front of both front tires.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If it is full, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the calipers.
• A caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor to stop the vehicle.
• A rotor is the round metal disc behind the wheel that the brake pads press against.
• A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct tightness so they are not too loose or too tight.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

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

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear of your Odyssey at the rear center jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the proper rear support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently push the vehicle to confirm it is stable before removing the wheels.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat away from your work area.

Step 4: Remove the Caliper Slide Pin Bolts

• Work on one side first.
• Use the 12mm socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts.
• The slide pins are the small bolts that let the caliper move slightly as the brakes apply and release.
• If a slide pin spins, hold the pin steady with a suitable wrench while using the 12mm socket.

Step 5: Lift Off and Support the Caliper

• Use the flathead screwdriver medium to gently wiggle the caliper loose if it is stuck.
• Lift the caliper off the pads and bracket.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension using the brake caliper hanger hook.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 6: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Use your gloved hands or the flathead screwdriver medium to remove the old inner and outer brake pads from the bracket.
• Note the position of any wear indicator tab before removal.
• The wear indicator is a small metal tab that squeals when pads are worn out.

Step 7: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use the 17mm socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to remove the two rear caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket from the knuckle.
• Set the bracket on a clean surface.

Step 8: Remove the Rotor Retaining Screws

• Use the Phillips #3 impact screwdriver (specialty) and hammer to loosen the rotor retaining screws.
• An impact screwdriver turns when struck with a hammer and helps remove tight Honda rotor screws without stripping them.
• Remove the screws and set them aside if reusable.
• Press firmly to avoid stripping.

Step 9: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap around the rotor hat using the hammer.
• Do not strike the wheel studs.
• If the parking brake shoes are holding the rotor, confirm the parking brake is fully released.

Step 10: Clean the Hub Face

• Use the wire brush to clean rust from the hub face where the rotor sits.
• Use brake cleaner spray and shop towels to wipe the area clean.
• The hub face must be clean so the new rotor sits flat.

Step 11: Install the New Rotor

• Clean both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner spray and shop towels.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• Install the rotor retaining screws using the Phillips #3 impact screwdriver (specialty).
• Tighten the rotor screws snugly by hand tool only. Do not overtighten them.
• One lug nut can hold the rotor steady.

Step 12: Service the Caliper Bracket

• Remove the old pad hardware clips from the caliper bracket by hand or with the flathead screwdriver medium.
• Use the wire brush to clean the bracket areas where the clips sit.
• Install the new hardware clips from the rear brake hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease packet only where the brake pad ears touch the hardware clips.
• Do not get grease on the pad friction material or rotor face.

Step 13: 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 torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the caliper bracket bolts to Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use the C-clamp 6-inch or brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston fully into the caliper.
• Go slowly and check the brake fluid reservoir under the hood while compressing.
• If fluid approaches the top, remove a small amount before continuing.

Step 15: Install the New Brake Pads

• Install the new inner and outer pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pad ears sit fully inside the new hardware clips.
• Apply a small amount of brake grease packet to the pad backing plate contact points only.
• Do not grease the front friction surface of the pads.

Step 16: Reinstall the Caliper

• Remove the caliper from the brake caliper hanger hook.
• Slide the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Start both slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use the 12mm socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the slide pin bolts to Torque to 23 Nm (17 ft-lbs).

Step 17: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 16 on the opposite rear brake.
• Use the same tools and same torque specs.
• Keep old and new parts separated so you do not mix them up.

Step 18: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install each rear wheel by hand.
• Thread all lug nuts on by hand first.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 19: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

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

Step 20: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before driving, press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back against the new pads.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed with the correct brake fluid listed on the reservoir cap.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Odyssey and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm, not soft or sinking.
• ✅ Check behind both rear wheels for brake fluid leaks.
• ✅ Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with several gentle stops from 30-35 mph, allowing time between stops for cooling.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless it is an emergency.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles: Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

---

💰 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 1.5-2.0 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.