🔧 Odyssey - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the rear brake pads on your Odyssey. The rear brakes use an electric parking brake, so the parking brake motor must be placed in service/maintenance mode before the caliper is pushed back.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Your Odyssey has an electric parking brake. Do not force the rear caliper piston back unless the EPB is fully retracted.
• ⚠️ Use a compatible scan tool with EPB service function. A scan tool is a handheld electronic tool that talks to the vehicle’s brake control system.
• ⚠️ Support the van with jack stands. Never work under or beside a vehicle held only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask, and do not blow dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid may rise in the reservoir when the pistons are compressed. Wipe spills immediately because brake fluid damages paint.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Compatible scan tool with EPB service function (specialty)
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug nut socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 17mm wrench
• 13mm socket
• Rear disc brake caliper piston compressor (specialty)
• Torque wrench 10-150 ft-lb
• Small flathead screwdriver
• Brake parts cleaner
• Shop towels
• Mechanic 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
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Odyssey on level ground.
• Place the transmission in Park.
• Release the parking brake before starting EPB service mode.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level. If it is near MAX, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the calipers.
• Use the scan tool to enter EPB Maintenance Mode / Rear Brake Pad Replacement Mode before removing the rear calipers.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Put the Electric Parking Brake in Service Mode

• Connect the compatible scan tool with EPB service function to the diagnostic port under the driver-side dashboard.
• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• On the scan tool, select Honda > Odyssey > Parking Brake / EPB > Maintenance Mode / Pad Replacement Mode.
• Follow the scan tool prompts until it confirms the rear parking brake motors are fully retracted.
• Turn the ignition OFF after the scan tool confirms service mode is active.
• Listen for both rear motors.

Step 2: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to loosen each rear lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.

Step 3: Lift and Support the Rear of the Van

• Use the floor jack at the rear jacking point to raise the rear of your Odyssey.
• Place jack stands under the proper rear support points.
• Lower the van gently onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack lightly touching the jacking point as a backup.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and place them flat under the side of the van as an added safety backup.

Step 5: Remove the Rear Caliper Lower Bolt

• Use the 17mm wrench to hold the caliper slide pin steady.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the lower caliper bolt.
• A slide pin is the smooth pin the caliper moves on as the brake pads wear.

Step 6: Swing the Caliper Up

• Carefully swing the caliper upward by hand.
• Do not pull, twist, or stretch the rubber brake hose.
• If the caliper is tight, use the small flathead screwdriver gently between the old pad and rotor to create a little movement.
• Be gentle with brake hoses.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Slide the old inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use the small flathead screwdriver to remove the old stainless pad clips from the bracket.
• Spray the bracket contact areas with brake parts cleaner and wipe with shop towels.

Step 8: Install the New Pad Hardware

• Install the new clips from the rear brake pad hardware kit by hand.
• Make sure each clip sits fully flat in the caliper bracket.
• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant only where the pad ears touch the clips.
• Do not get lubricant on the pad friction surface or rotor face.

Step 9: Compress the Rear Caliper Piston

• Use the rear disc brake caliper piston compressor to slowly push the caliper piston straight back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston.
• If fluid approaches the top, remove a small amount carefully with a clean suction tool.
• Do not twist the piston unless your compressor tool requires light alignment pressure only.
• Slow pressure prevents damage.

Step 10: Install the New Rear Brake Pads

• Install the new inner and outer pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.
• The pads should slide smoothly in the clips without forcing them.

Step 11: Reinstall the Caliper

• Swing the caliper down over the new pads by hand.
• Use the 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to install the lower caliper bolt.
• Use the 17mm wrench to hold the slide pin while tightening.
• Use the torque wrench to tighten the caliper bolt to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Rear Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 11 on the opposite rear brake using the same tools.
• Always replace rear brake pads in pairs so braking stays even.

Step 13: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Place each wheel back onto the hub by hand.
• Install the lug nuts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 14: Lower the Van and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise the rear slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the van until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the torque wrench and 19mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Exit EPB Service Mode

• Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine.
• Use the compatible scan tool with EPB service function to select EPB > Exit Maintenance Mode / Apply Parking Brake.
• Follow the scan tool prompts until the EPB motors cycle and the tool confirms normal mode.
• Turn the ignition OFF.

Step 16: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly 5-10 times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back out 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 only if needed.
• Start your Odyssey and confirm the brake warning light and parking brake warning light turn off normally.
• Apply and release the electric parking brake 2-3 times to confirm proper operation.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area before normal driving.
• Bed in the new pads with 8-10 gentle stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph. Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles unless needed for safety.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive: 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $275-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $55-$120 (parts only)

You Save: $220-$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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