🔧 Pilot - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads on your Pilot. The rear brakes use an electronic parking brake, so the caliper piston must be retracted correctly before the pads are removed.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the rear calipers are removed.
• ⚠️ Your Pilot has an electronic parking brake, also called EPB. EPB means the parking brake is applied by a small electric motor instead of a hand lever or foot pedal.
• ⚠️ The EPB must be released before starting. The vehicle must be secured with wheel chocks because the parking brake will be off.
• ⚠️ Always support the vehicle with jack stands. Never work under or beside a vehicle held only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can irritate your lungs. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Replace rear brake pads in pairs. Do both rear wheels during the same repair.

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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
• Ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive
• 12mm socket
• 17mm open-end wrench
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Brake cleaner spray
• Nylon brake brush
• Bungee cord
• Disposable 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 pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner spray - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Pilot on a flat, solid surface.
• Put the transmission in Park.
• Make sure the electronic parking brake is released. The red parking brake light should be off.
• Place wheel chocks in front of and behind the front wheels.
• Do not open the driver door or switch the ignition on while the rear calipers are removed.
• If the brake fluid reservoir is very full, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the pistons. This prevents overflow.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar or torque wrench to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about one turn.
• Do this while the tires are still on the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Break loose, do not remove yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use the floor jack at the rear center jacking point or approved rear lift point.
• Raise the rear of your Pilot high enough for both rear wheels to come off the ground.
• Place jack stands under the approved rear support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Give the vehicle a light push by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

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

Step 4: Inspect the Rear Brake Layout

• Look at the rear caliper, pads, rotor, and the small electric parking brake motor on the back of the caliper.
• Do not unplug or remove the electronic parking brake motor for a basic pad replacement.
• Use brake cleaner spray and a nylon brake brush to lightly clean loose dust around the caliper area.

Step 5: Remove the Lower Caliper Bolt

• Use a 17mm open-end wrench to hold the caliper slide pin steady. The slide pin is the smooth pin the caliper moves on.
• Use a 12mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet wrench to remove the lower caliper bolt.
• If the upper caliper bolt needs extra movement, remove it the same way using the 12mm socket and 17mm open-end wrench.

Step 6: Swing the Caliper Up or Remove It

• If only the lower bolt was removed, gently swing the caliper upward by hand.
• If both bolts were removed, lift the caliper off carefully.
• Use a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension spring or control arm.
• Do not let the caliper hang from the rubber brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Rear Brake Pads

• Use your hands or a flat-blade screwdriver to slide the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Note the position of any wear indicator tab before removing the pads.
• The wear indicator is a small metal tab that squeals when the pad gets too thin.

Step 8: Remove and Replace the Pad Hardware

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry the old stainless pad clips out of the caliper bracket.
• Clean the bracket contact areas with brake cleaner spray and a nylon brake brush.
• Install the new clips from the rear brake pad hardware kit by pressing them into the same positions.
• Clean clips help prevent squeaks.

Step 9: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Use the brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly push the caliper piston straight back into the caliper bore.
• Go slowly and watch the brake fluid reservoir under the hood so it does not overflow.
• Do not force the piston. If it will not move, stop and verify the electronic parking brake is fully released.
• The piston must sit fully retracted so the new thicker pads fit over the rotor.

Step 10: Lubricate the Pad Contact Points

• Use brake lubricant on the small metal ears of the new brake pads where they touch the clips.
• Apply a thin layer only. Do not get lubricant on the pad friction surface or rotor.
• The friction surface is the rough pad material that touches the brake rotor.

Step 11: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Slide the new inner and outer pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads move smoothly in the clips.
• If a pad is tight, remove it and recheck the clip seating. Do not hammer the pads in.

Step 12: Reinstall the Caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads by hand.
• Use the 12mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet wrench to start the caliper bolt by hand first.
• Use the 17mm open-end wrench to hold the slide pin while tightening the caliper bolt.
• Use the 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the rear caliper slide pin bolts to Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Move to the opposite rear wheel.
• Repeat Steps 4 through 12 using the same 12mm socket, 17mm open-end wrench, brake caliper piston compressor tool, and cleaning tools.
• Always complete both rear sides so braking stays balanced.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each rear wheel back on the hub by hand.
• Install the lug nuts finger-tight first.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 15: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise the rear slightly and remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Pilot until the tires touch the ground and cannot spin.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 19mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).
• Fully lower the vehicle and remove the jack.

Step 16: Seat the Brake Pads

• Before driving, press the brake pedal slowly 5-10 times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back out against the new pads.
• Switch the ignition on and apply then release the electronic parking brake using the parking brake switch.
• Confirm the brake pedal feels normal before moving the vehicle.

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✅ After Repair

• Check the brake fluid level and set it between the MIN and MAX marks if needed.
• Start your Pilot and make sure no brake warning lights stay on.
• Test the electronic parking brake by applying and releasing it once while parked.
• Take a slow test drive in a safe area. Make several gentle stops from low speed.
• Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• After the test drive, check for fluid leaks and recheck that the rear wheels are secure.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$110 (parts only)

You Save: $140-$340 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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