How to Replace the Brakes on a Honda Pilot

A large vehicle like the Honda Pilot is as dependent on its brakes as any other vehicle. The key part of the brakes are the brake pads within the calipers, which need to be replaced at a maximum of 60,000 miles and likely sooner under today's intense driving conditions. If you hear any grinding on the brakes, replace them immediately. Also, never replace the brakes on one wheel at a time--always do them in pairs with the wheels on both sides.

Instructions

1

Block the rear wheels on the Pilot with large stone blocks, loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels with a lug wrench or tire iron, raise the front end on jack stands and remove the front wheels.

2

Go to the brake caliper on one side of the vehicle and disconnect the flange bolt located on the lower end of the caliper with a wrench. Grab the caliper and pivot it upward and you'll see the brake pads within the mounting bracket.

3

Reach in and pull the brake pads out of their brackets. There is one on each side of the bracket.

4

Pull the brake shims out of the caliper bracket with your hands and rub an anti-squeal compound like Disc Quiet onto the shims' backing plates, then place the shims back into the bracket. Clean the brackets with brake cleaner and lubricate the sliding pins in the brackets using a high-temperature brake grease.

5

Compress the caliper's piston back into the caliper bore using a C-clamp or similar tool.

6

Install the new brake pads into the shims and retainers, then close the caliper back down and fasten the flange bolt. Repeat the process for the other side of the car.

7

Replace the wheels and lower the vehicle after the brakes on both sides have been replaced.