How to Install a Rear Brake in a 1995 Honda Civic DX

The rear disc brake assembly in your 1995 Honda Civic DX has pretty much the same configuration as the front assembly. Thus, installing new rear brake pads is much like installing new front pads except for the way you handle the caliper piston. However, even if you are not familiar with the front disc brake assembly, you still can replace those worn-out rear pads. With attention to detail and a few tools, you can restore braking power to the rear assemblies in your Civic DX in about an hour. This procedure applies to rear disc brake-equipped models.

Instructions

Removing the Brake Pads

1

Open the hood and locate the brake master cylinder. This is the assembly mounted on the brake booster, a drum-like component on the driver's side of the engine compartment. Remove the cap off the master cylinder reservoir, which is on top of the cylinder, and pump half the brake fluid with a hand siphon pump into a sealable container for later recycling.

2

Loosen the lug nuts on both rear wheels with a lug wrench.

3

Jack up the rear of your Honda Civic with a floor jack and support the vehicle with a jack stand under each side.

4

Remove both rear wheels and start the brake pad replacement on one of the brake assemblies and leave the other one as a visual reference in case you forget how a particular component fits into the assembly.

5

Unfasten and remove the two brake caliper mounting bolts from the back of the caliper with a ratchet and socket.

6

Work the brake caliper off the caliper bracket and brake rotor and secure the caliper to the suspension with heavy wire to avoid damage to the brake hose connected to the caliper.

7

Make a note of the position and mounting direction of each component as you remove the brake pads, shims and brake pad retainers from the caliper bracket.

Installing the New Brake Pads

8

Spray the caliper, bracket and rotor assembly with brake parts cleaner. Wipe the assemblies clean with lint-free towels.

9

Replace the pad retainers and coat both sides of each shim with disc brake pad lubricant and the brake pads mounting board. Install the shims and brake pads in position.

10

Set the caliper piston into the caliper cylinder by turning the piston clockwise with a disc brake piston tool. Notice the position of the tab on the back of the inner brake pad so that you align the cutout on the caliper piston with the brake pad tab.

11

Apply silicone grease to the rubber boot on the caliper piston and carefully lower the caliper piston over the caliper bracket, aligning the piston cutout with the tab on the back of the inner brake pad.

12

Install the two brake caliper mounting bolts finger tight and then tighten the bolts with the ratchet and socket.

13

Install the new brake pad set on the opposite wheel assembly following Step 5 from the previous section through Step 5 of this section.

14

Replace both rear wheel assemblies and install the lug nuts. Lower your vehicle and finish tightening the lug nuts with the lug wrench.

15

Add new brake fluid to the master cylinder reservoir to bring the level up to the "Full" mark, if necessary, and replace the cap.

16

Pump the brake pedal slowly to help seat the new brake pads on the brake rotor. Check the fluid level again in the master cylinder reservoir and add if necessary. Close the hood.