Paul's Travel Pictures

Honda Pilot Rear Disc Brake Pads Replacement Guide
How to change the rear disc brake pads on a 2nd generation 2009 to 2015 Honda Pilot SUV with photo illustrated steps.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-001
2012 Pilot Rear Wheel
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-002
Slightly Loosen 5 Lug Nuts
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-003
Raise Rear of Vehicle
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015) Honda Pilot SUV in changing the rear disc brake pads and lubricate the caliper slider pins.

Owner's of other Honda or Acura vehicles such as the Odyssey, Insight, Ridgeline, CR-V, Fit, Civic, CR-Z, Crosstour, Accord, MDX, RDX, RLX, TL, TSX and ILX may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools needed to complete this procedure include a lug nut wrench, a floor jack, two jack stands, a 12mm socket, a 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench, a "C" or "F" clamp and a tube of synthetic high temperature brake parts lubricant grease.

A few compatible sets of new rear brake pads with their part numbers are as follows: Akebono ACT1281, Wagner ThermoQuiet QC1585, Bosch BC1281, Raybestos PGD1281C, ACDelco 17D1281C, Honda 43022-SZA-A10, Prime Choice SCD1281, Dura International BP1281 MS, TRW TPC1585 and Monroe CX1585.



 
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-004
Spin Off 5 Lug Nuts
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-005
Five Lug Nuts Removed
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-006
Rear Caliper & Rotor
The first few steps are to park the SUV on a level surface, turn off the engine and make sure that the parking / emergency brake is NOT engaged.

Then chock both sides of the front wheels to prevent the car from moving while you are replacing the brake pads.

Slightly loosen the five lug nuts in the counterclockwise direction.

Raise the rear of the SUV with the floor jack and securely support it with two jack stands.

I prefer to work on one side of the car at a time to keep three wheels on the ground for extra safety.

Spin off the five lug nuts and set them aside in a safe place.

Pull off the rear wheel to reveal the rear brake caliper, bracket, rotor and suspension.

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-007
Rear Caliper
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-008
Loosen Upper Caliper Bolt
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-009
Loosen Lower Caliper Bolt
The rear caliper is held in place to the bracket by two bolts on the back side of the caliper with the bolt heads facing in towards the passenger compartment.

Loosen the upper caliper bolt by turning it clockwise, as seen from the outside of the vehicle, with the 12mm socket and 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench.

Then loosen the lower 12mm caliper bolt by turning it clockwise (as seen from the outside of the SUV).

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-010
Spin Out Top Caliper Bolt
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-011
Remove Bottom Caliper Bolt
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-012
Two Caliper Bolts Removed
Spin out the two caliper bolts and set them aside in a safe place.
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-013
Pull Off Rear Brake Caliper
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-014
Rest Caliper On Suspension
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-015
Two Metal "V" Springs
Gently pull the rear brake caliper out of the bracket and rest it on the suspension or suspend it from the spring with a bungee cord.

Pull off the two "V" shaped metal spring clips from the outer edge of the old brake pads.

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-016
"V" Springs Removed
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-017
Wear Bar - Bottom Inner Pad
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-018
Remove Old Outer Pad
Pull the old inner and outer brake pads out of the bracket.

Make a mental note of where the wear indicator or "squeal" bar is situated on the old pads.

On this 2012 Pilot, the wear indicator bar was located at the bottom of the old inner brake pad.

I recommend buying the Akebono ACT1281 brake pads since they have excellent reviews on Amazon.

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-019
Replace Anti-Rattle Clips
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-020
Pull Out Caliper Slider Pins
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-021
Lubricate & Replace Pins
If your new set of rear brake pads included replacement brake hardware, pull the old metal pad abutment or "anti-rattle" clips out of the top and bottom of the bracket.

Apply a thin layer of brake parts lubricant to the bracket before pushing the new pad abutment clips in to place.

Spread a thin layer of brake caliper grease on the part of the new pad abutment clips that will come in contact with the brake pads.

Pull the caliper slider pins out of their rubber dust boots and lubricate them so that the caliper will operate smoothly.

Push the caliper slider pins back in to the bracket.

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-022
Attach "F" Clamp To Piston
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-023
Twist Off Brake Fluid Cap
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-024
Tighten Handle Clockwise
Attach the "C" or "F" clamp to the caliper by using the back of an old brake pad to evenly distribute the pressure across the piston.

Move to the right rear area of the engine bay and twist off the black plastic brake fluid reservoir cap in the counterclockwise direction.

Removing the reservoir cap will allow the brake fluid to more easily travel back through the line when you compress the piston.

Slowly turn the "F" clamp handle in the clockwise direction until the piston is flush with the rubber dust boot surrounding it.

Check the fluid level in the reservoir to make sure that it doesn't over flow. Clean up any spilled brake fluid immediately since it can easily damage painted surfaces.



 

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-025
Replace Brake Fluid Cap
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-026
Install New Outer Brake Pad
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-027
Wear Bar - Bottom Inner Pad
Replace the brake fluid cap as soon as possible since brake fluid is hygroscopic (easily absorbs moisture from the air).

Thoroughly clean off the brake rotor, caliper bracket, lug nut studs and the brake caliper assembly with brake parts cleaner spray. Do not use compressed air or blow with your mouth to clean off the brake parts since inhaling brake dust can be harmful to your health. Brake dust can be carcinogenic (cancer causing) if inhaled.

If your Pilot previously exhibited shuddering, pulsating, or vibrations in the rear end during braking, you may need to have your rotors "turned" (resurfaced) or just replace them with brand new rotors. If this is the SUV's first rear brake job and the rotors appear to be in excellent condition, you should be able to just change the pads with great results.

To remove the existing rotors and install new ones, remove the two set screws on the front of the rotor and the two bolts on the rear of the caliper bracket that attach it to the steering knuckle. Remove the bracket and set it aside in a safe place. Then loosen the old rotor with a rubber mallet, pull it off, and slide the new one in its place.

Apply a thin layer of brake caliper grease to any area where there is metal to metal contact such as the outer lip of the caliper pistons. Do not apply brake parts lubricant to the friction surface of the new pads or to the rotor.

Install the new brake pads in to the bracket with the wear indicator bar situated at the bottom of the inner pad.

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-028
Push Pads Against Rotor
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-029
Re-Attach Spring Clips
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-030
Two "V" Clips Replaced
Push the two new pads together until they are flush against the rotor.

Re-attach the two "V" shaped metal spring clips to the outer edge of the new pads.

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-031
Replace Rear Caliper
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-032
Spin In Bottom Caliper Bolt
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-033
Replace Top Caliper Bolt
Lower the rear caliper back in to the bracket and over the new pads.

It the caliper won't fit over the new pads, you might need to compress back the piston a bit more.

Spin in the two caliper bolts by hand a few turns in the counterclockwise direction.

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-034
Tighten Top Caliper Bolt
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-035
Tighten Bottom Caliper Bol
t
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-036
Rubber Valve Cap
Tighten the two caliper bolts in the counterclockwise direction with the 12mm socket and 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench to just past hand tight or about 27 ft-lbs of torque.

Double check that both of the caliper bolts are tight before moving on to the next steps.

If your brake pedal previously felt soft or spongy, the brake fluid might be contaminated with water or the brake lines may contain a few air bubbles.

It would be best to bleed the brake lines at this time in order to flush out the old fluid and replace it with fresh DOT3 or DOT4 brake fluid. For more on this topic, check out my Brake Line Fluid Bleeding With An Assistant DIY Guide or alternatively the Brake Line Fluid Bleeding With A Power Bleeder Guide.

The brake fluid bleeder valve is located underneath a rubber cap on the back side of the caliper right next to the top bolt.

2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-037
Brake Fluid Bleeder Valve
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-038
Push On Rear Wheel
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-039
Spin On 5 Lug Nuts
Push the rear wheel back in to place and spin on the 5 lug nuts in the clockwise direction.
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-040
Slightly Tighten Clockwise
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-041
Lower Car From Stands
2009-2015-Honda-Pilot-Rear-Disc-Brake-Pads-Replacement-Guide-042
Torque To 94 ft-lbs
Slightly tighten the five lug nuts in a "star" or "criss cross" pattern.

Carefully lower the car from the jack stands by using the floor jack.

Continue progressively tightening the lug nuts in the clockwise direction in a "star" or "criss cross" pattern to about 1/4 to 1/3 turn past hand tight or about 94 ft-lbs of torque.

It would be best to use a torque wrench or an impact wrench with a torque stick to properly tighten the lug nuts.

Sit in the driver's seat of the car and firmly press the brake pedal a few times to restore the brake line pressure. Check the brake fluid in the reservoir and verify that it is at the proper level. If it is low, add some fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid.

To break in your new rear brake pads, just drive normally for the first few hundred miles while trying to avoid any hard or "panic" stops which may glaze over the new pads and cause them to be noisy or not perform as well.

It's also a good idea to regularly check your driveway for drops of brake fluid which may indicate a leak, check the brake fluid level in the reservoir, and also verify that the lug bolts are still tight.

Be sure to record the brake pad change in your Pilot's service records.

For more, please check out my other 2009-2015 Honda Pilot DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

If you found this guide to be helpful, please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com "Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.)

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info