How to Replace Rear Brake Pads on a 2018 Honda Odyssey (EPB Service Mode)
Step-by-step DIY instructions with required tools, parts list, safety tips, and torque specs for 2018, 2019, 2020
How to Replace Rear Brake Pads on a 2018 Honda Odyssey (EPB Service Mode)
Step-by-step DIY instructions with required tools, parts list, safety tips, and torque specs for 2018, 2019, 2020
🔧 Odyssey - Rear Brake Pad Replacement
Replacing the rear brake pads means removing the rear wheels, retracting the rear calipers, swapping pads/hardware, and reinstalling everything with correct torque. On your Odyssey, the rear brakes are tied into the electronic parking brake (EPB), so the EPB must be put into a service/maintenance mode before you push the caliper pistons back.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- ⚠️ Support the van with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
- ⚠️ Keep hands clear of pinch points while removing wheels and calipers.
- ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor.
- ⚠️ EPB precaution: you must retract the EPB (service mode) before compressing the rear pistons, or you can damage the EPB actuator.
- ⚠️ If brake fluid is near the MAX line, fluid may rise when pistons are pushed back; clean spills immediately (brake fluid damages paint).
🔧 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 socket
- 3/8" drive ratchet
- 1/2" drive breaker bar
- Torque wrench (10-200 Nm range)
- 12mm socket
- 17mm socket
- Flathead screwdriver
- C-clamp brake piston compressor
- Brake caliper hanger hook
- Wire brush
- Brake parts cleaner spray
- Shop towels
- Nitrile gloves
- Safety glasses
- Scan tool with Honda EPB maintenance mode (specialty)
🔩 Required Parts
HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:
- Rear brake pad set - Qty: 1
- Rear brake pad hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
- Silicone brake grease - Qty: 1
- Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
📋 Before You Begin
- Park on level ground, shift to Park, and use wheel chocks on the front wheels.
- Make sure the EPB is not actively applied before lifting.
- Plan for EPB service mode: you’ll need a scan tool with Honda EPB maintenance mode (this commands the rear EPB motors to retract).
- Pop the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; do not remove the cap yet, just note the fluid level.
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Put the EPB into maintenance (service) mode
- Connect your scan tool with Honda EPB maintenance mode (specialty) to the OBD-II port.
- Turn ignition ON (engine OFF).
- Use the scan tool to command EPB Maintenance/Service Mode > Rear EPB Retract.
- If you can’t retract EPB, stop here.
Step 2: Lift the rear and remove the wheels
- Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to loosen rear lug nuts 1/2 turn (do this before lifting).
- Lift the rear with a floor jack at the proper rear jacking point, then set the van onto jack stands.
- Remove the lug nuts using a 19mm socket and ratchet, then remove both rear wheels.
Step 3: Remove the rear caliper from the bracket
- Turn the steering wheel is not applicable for the rear; position yourself for clear access.
- Use a 12mm socket and ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
- Lift the caliper off the bracket and rotor, then hang it with a brake caliper hanger hook.
- Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.
Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware
- Pull the inner and outer pads out of the bracket by hand; if tight, gently help with a flathead screwdriver.
- Remove the pad clips/hardware from the bracket.
- Clean the bracket pad lands (where the clips sit) using brake parts cleaner spray, shop towels, and a wire brush.
Step 5: Compress the rear caliper piston
- Check the brake fluid reservoir level under the hood; if it’s very full, be ready to soak up overflow with shop towels.
- Place an old pad against the piston face, then use a C-clamp brake piston compressor to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
- Go slowly and smoothly; if it won’t compress, re-check that EPB maintenance mode is active.
Step 6: Install new hardware and pads
- Install new pad clips from the hardware kit into the bracket by hand.
- Apply a thin film of silicone brake grease to the pad ears (the metal “tabs” that slide in the clips).
- Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket in the same orientation as removed.
- Thin grease only; keep off pad friction.
Step 7: Reinstall the caliper
- Set the caliper back over the new pads.
- Install the slide pin bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
- Tighten with a 12mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).
Step 8: Repeat on the other rear side
- Repeat Steps 3 through 7 on the opposite rear wheel.
Step 9: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts
- Reinstall both rear wheels and hand-thread the lug nuts.
- Lower the van off the jack stands using the floor jack.
- Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a 19mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs).
Step 10: Exit EPB maintenance mode
- Use the scan tool with Honda EPB maintenance mode (specialty) to command EPB Maintenance/Service Mode > Return/Close.
- Verify the EPB applies and releases normally using the EPB switch.
✅ After Repair
- Pump the brake pedal 8–12 times until it feels firm (this seats the pads against the rotors).
- Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed (use the correct DOT brake fluid listed on the reservoir cap).
- Test at low speed first: confirm normal braking, no grinding, and EPB holds on a slight incline.
- Bed-in (break-in) pads: make 6–10 gentle stops from 30–40 mph, letting brakes cool a bit between stops.
💰 DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: ₹8,000-₹18,000 (parts + labor)
DIY Cost: ₹3,000-₹9,000 (parts only)
You Save: ₹5,000-₹9,000 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.
🎯 Ready to get started?
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