How to Change Rear Brakes on a Honda Accord

Changing the rear brakes on your Honda Accord can be a little tricky but not difficult; however, you must pay attention to detail. If this is the first time you are changing rear or drum brakes, it is a good idea to have both rear brake assemblies exposed-drums off. This way you can work on one set and, as you are ready to assemble the brake components, and look at the assembly on the other wheel so you know how the components are set in place. The following steps are based on a 2003 Accord with a 2.4L engine, which is similar to most rear, drum brake models.

Park your car in a safe place and level surface.

Loose the wheel lugs on both rear tires. Raise the rear of the vehicle using a floor jack and safely support it on jack stands.

Remove the back tires, release the parking brake and remove the rear brake drums from the wheel assemblies. At this point, work on just one set of brakes and use the other set as a reference point to guide you, if necessary, as you get ready to install the new brake shoes on the opposite brake assembly.

Remove the upper spring holding both brake shoes together. You can use a brake spring tool or a regular screwdriver.

Push the button-like retainer springs in and release the tension pins. Drop the upper section of the brake shoes assembly down. Disconnect the lower return spring.

Lift the brake-shoe assembly slightly off their mounting back plate. Disengage the parking brake cable from the lever. Remove the brake shoe and then remove the parking brake lever form the brake shoe by removing the small U-clip.

Clean the brake mounting assembly plate and brake components with brake parts cleaner and a clean shop rag.

Connect the parking brake lever to the new brake shoe using a new U-clip and close the clip using a pair of pliers. Install the parking brake cable to the rear brake shoe. Make sure to identify the rear and front brake shoe by comparing the new units with the opposite brake assembly.

Coat the sliding surfaces on the back plate with Molykote 44MA or similar grease.

Assemble the self-adjuster lever spring on the front brake, and then assemble both brake shoes with their upper and lower springs and adjuster bolt. Install the assembly on the back plate, secure it with the tension spring pin and hook the upper return spring to the rear shoe.

Change the brake shoes on the opposite wheel and then install both brake drums and tires.

Lower the vehicle and depress the brake pedal several times to allow the self-adjusting spring bolt on the rear brake assemblies to adjust the rear brakes.