🔧 Odyssey - Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This job replaces the rear brake pads and rear brake rotors on your Odyssey. The rear brakes use an electronic parking brake, so the parking brake motors must be placed into maintenance mode before pushing the caliper pistons back.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Your Odyssey has an electronic parking brake, also called EPB. Do not force the rear caliper pistons back unless the parking brake is in maintenance mode.
• ⚠️ Work on level ground only. Support the van with jack stands before removing any wheel.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can irritate your lungs. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and use brake cleaner instead of compressed air.
• ⚠️ Keep brake grease off the pad friction surface and rotor face.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not normally required, but keep the ignition off after EPB maintenance mode is set.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• Phillips #3 impact screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• OBD-II scan tool with EPB service function (specialty)
• Torque wrench rated 10-150 ft-lbs
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Flat pry bar
• Rubber mallet
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Floor jack rated 3-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 3-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• 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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1-2 cans
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle
• Rotor retaining screws - Qty: 2-4

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Odyssey on level ground, shift to Park, and chock the front wheels.
• Release the parking brake before starting.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If it is full, remove a small amount with a clean syringe so it does not overflow when the pistons are compressed.
• Set the rear electronic parking brake into maintenance mode using an OBD-II scan tool with EPB service function. A scan tool is a plug-in diagnostic device that can command the parking brake motors to retract safely.
• Typical scan tool path: Honda > Odyssey > ABS/VSA > Electronic Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode / Pad Replacement Mode > Retract.
• If your scan tool gives a confirmation message, wait until it says the EPB motors are fully retracted before turning the ignition off.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen each rear lug nut about 1/2 turn while the tires are still on the ground.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Tip: Break them loose before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Van

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum at the proper rear jacking point to raise the rear of your Odyssey.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the rear support points.
• Gently lower the van onto the jack stands.
• Shake the van lightly by hand to confirm it is stable before working underneath or beside it.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use a 19mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Caliper

• Use a 12mm socket or 14mm socket to remove the two rear caliper slide pin bolts, depending on the bolt head fitted.
• Slide the caliper off the brake pads.
• Use a brake caliper hanger hook to hang the caliper from the suspension.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.
• A caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.

Step 5: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Use a flat pry bar to gently remove the old brake pads from the caliper bracket.
• Remove the stainless pad clips from the bracket by hand or with the flat pry bar.
• Use a wire brush to clean the pad contact areas on the bracket.
• Spray the bracket lightly with brake cleaner spray and let it dry.

Step 6: Remove the Rear Caliper Bracket

• Use a 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 7: Remove the Rear Rotor

• Use a Phillips #3 impact screwdriver to remove the rotor retaining screw if installed.
• An impact screwdriver is a hand tool you strike or twist to loosen tight screws without stripping them.
• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap the rotor hat area with a rubber mallet until it loosens.
• Do not hit the wheel studs.

Step 8: Clean the Hub Face

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and debris from the wheel hub face.
• Spray the hub with brake cleaner spray and wipe it dry.
• This helps the new rotor sit flat and prevents brake vibration.

Step 9: Install the New Rotor

• Clean both faces of the new rotor with brake cleaner spray to remove shipping oil.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• Install the rotor retaining screw with a Phillips #3 impact screwdriver.
• Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs) if using a torque-capable driver.

Step 10: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 17mm socket and torque wrench rated 10-150 ft-lbs to tighten the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Install New Pad Hardware and Pads

• Snap the new stainless pad clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the pad ears where they touch the clips.
• Do not put grease on the pad friction material.
• Install the inner and outer rear brake pads into the bracket.
• The pad ears are the small metal tabs on the ends of each brake pad.

Step 12: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Confirm the EPB is still in maintenance mode before compressing the piston.
• Use a brake caliper piston compression tool to slowly push the caliper piston straight back into the caliper body.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston so it does not overflow.
• If the piston will not move smoothly, stop and recheck EPB maintenance mode.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use a 12mm socket or 14mm socket and torque wrench rated 10-150 ft-lbs to tighten the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 13 on the opposite rear brake.
• 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 a 19mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Raise the van slightly with the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum, remove the jack stands, and lower the van to the ground.
• Use a 19mm socket and torque wrench rated 10-150 ft-lbs to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Exit EPB Maintenance Mode

• Turn the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Use the OBD-II scan tool with EPB service function.
• Select Honda > Odyssey > ABS/VSA > Electronic Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode / Pad Replacement Mode > Exit / Apply.
• Wait until the scan tool confirms the EPB has been applied or calibrated.

Step 17: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Use your foot to slowly press the brake pedal 5-10 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 Odyssey and confirm the brake warning light and EPB warning light turn off.
• ✅ Test the parking brake switch. Apply and release it once while parked.
• ✅ Perform a slow test drive in a safe area. Make several gentle stops from low speed.
• ✅ Bed in the pads with 6-8 moderate stops from about 30 mph, allowing cooling time 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 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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