🔧 Civic - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Replacing the rear brake pads on your Civic restores safe stopping power and prevents damage to the rear rotors. This Civic uses an electric parking brake, so the rear calipers must be put into maintenance mode before the pads are removed.

Assumption: Your Civic is stock and equipped with rear disc brakes and an electric parking brake.

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 caliper is removed.
• ⚠️ The electric parking brake must be released and placed in maintenance mode before compressing the rear caliper piston.
• ⚠️ Support the Civic with jack stands; never work under a car held only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful; wear safety glasses and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Work on one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not normally required for this repair when using the proper maintenance mode procedure.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 12mm socket
• 14mm wrench
• 19mm socket
• Torque wrench 10-100 ft-lbs
• Floor jack 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Disc brake piston compressor tool
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Brake cleaner spray
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• OBD-II scan tool with EPB service mode (specialty)

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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 caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• Brake pad anti-squeal compound - Qty: 1
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Civic on a flat, solid surface.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels.
• 🔓 Make sure the parking brake is released before starting.
• 🛠️ A scan tool is a handheld diagnostic tool that plugs into the vehicle and can command the electric parking brake motors to retract safely.
• 📲 Using the OBD-II scan tool with EPB service mode, select Honda > Civic > Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode / Pad Replacement Mode > Enter.
• 👂 Listen for the rear parking brake motors to retract before removing the calipers.
• 🧴 Open the brake fluid reservoir cap under the hood and cover the area with a clean rag in case the fluid level rises.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use the 19mm socket and ratchet to loosen each rear wheel lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Loosen first, lift second.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear of the Civic

• Use the floor jack 2-ton minimum at the rear center jacking point or approved side jacking point.
• Place jack stands 2-ton minimum under the approved rear pinch weld support points.
• Gently lower the Civic onto the jack stands.
• Give the car a light shake to confirm it is stable before removing the wheels.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm socket to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat away from your work area.

Step 4: Inspect the Rear Brake Assembly

• Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use brake cleaner spray to lightly clean dust from the caliper and pad area.
• Do not spray directly onto rubber boots for a long time because strong cleaner can dry rubber.
• Look at how the pads, clips, and wear indicators are positioned before removal.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper Lower Bolt

• Use the 14mm wrench to hold the slide pin if it spins.
• Use the 12mm socket and ratchet to remove the lower rear caliper bolt.
• A slide pin is the small guide pin that lets the caliper move in and out smoothly.

Step 6: Swing the Caliper Up

• Carefully swing the caliper upward by hand.
• Use the brake caliper hanger hook to support the caliper if needed.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.
• Protect the brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Rear Brake Pads

• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry the old pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the old brake pad hardware clips by hand or with the flat-blade screwdriver.
• Compare the old pads to the new pads to confirm shape and friction material match.

Step 8: Clean the Caliper Bracket

• Use brake cleaner spray to clean the pad contact areas on the bracket.
• Use the flat-blade screwdriver carefully to lift away stuck dirt or rust under the hardware clips.
• Do not gouge the metal bracket.

Step 9: Install the New Pad Hardware

• Install the new rear brake pad hardware kit clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure each clip sits fully flat and locked into place.
• Apply a very thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease only where the pad ears contact the clips.
• Do not get grease on the rotor or pad friction surface.

Step 10: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Use the disc brake piston compressor tool to slowly push the caliper piston straight back into the caliper.
• Because the EPB has already been placed in service mode, the piston should compress smoothly.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston. Remove excess fluid only if it rises near the top.
• If the piston will not move, stop and recheck EPB maintenance mode with the OBD-II scan tool with EPB service mode.

Step 11: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Apply a thin layer of brake pad anti-squeal compound to the metal backing plates only.
• Install the inner and outer pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pads slide freely in the new hardware clips.
• Do not touch the pad friction material with greasy hands.

Step 12: Reinstall the Rear Caliper

• Swing the caliper back down over the new pads by hand.
• Use the 12mm socket to install the lower caliper bolt.
• Use the 14mm wrench to hold the slide pin if needed.
• Use the torque wrench 10-100 ft-lbs to tighten the caliper bolt to Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 12 on the opposite rear wheel.
• Use the same 12mm socket, 14mm wrench, flat-blade screwdriver, and disc brake piston compressor tool.
• Replace rear brake pads in pairs so braking stays even.

Step 14: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each rear wheel back onto the hub by hand.
• Use the 19mm socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Do not fully torque the lug nuts until the wheels are on the ground.

Step 15: Lower the Civic and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack 2-ton minimum to raise the Civic slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands 2-ton minimum.
• Lower the Civic until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the torque wrench 10-100 ft-lbs and 19mm socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 16: Exit EPB Maintenance Mode

• Use the OBD-II scan tool with EPB service mode to select Honda > Civic > Parking Brake > Maintenance Mode / Pad Replacement Mode > Exit.
• Wait for the rear electric parking brake motors to cycle.
• Apply and release the parking brake once using the parking brake switch.

Step 17: Seat the Brake Pads

• Before moving the Civic, press the brake pedal slowly 5-10 times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• Reinstall the brake fluid reservoir cap by hand.
• Firm pedal before driving.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the Civic and confirm no brake warning messages remain on the dash.
• ✅ Test the electric parking brake several times to confirm it applies and releases normally.
• ✅ Perform a low-speed brake test in a safe area before driving in traffic.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with 8-10 moderate stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph, allowing a short cool-down between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard panic stops for the first 100-200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive using the torque wrench 10-100 ft-lbs and 19mm socket.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $45-$120 (parts only)

You Save: $130-$330 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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🎯 Ready to get started?

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