Replacing the rear brake pads on your 1998 Honda Prelude can be done safely yourself and can save you money over what an auto shop would charge for the job. Brake pads get worn down after time, especially if you do a lot of driving and quick stops. Brake pads become thin and can start squealing during braking. This is a sign that they might need replaced. Brake pads should be checked frequently for safety.
Instructions
Instructions
- 1
Loosen the lug nuts on your Honda's rear wheels but do not remove them. Place the jack under the center of the rear end of the car, making sure it's under the frame to prevent damage to anything under the car. Jack the rear end up so both tires are off the ground. Slide the jack stands under each side in front of the rear tires. Release the jack a bit to lower the car onto the jack stands.
2Remove the lug nuts from one wheel and pull it off the axle. Examine the rotor, caliper and brake pads. Use the wrench to unbolt the caliper from the brake pads. The caliper is still connected to the brake lines, so set it down gently. You don't want to damage the brake lines.
3Put on the gloves and mask to avoid exposure to the brake pad dust. Remove the brake pads carefully. Apply the C-clamp and tighten it to retract the brake piston. This will reset the brake system since you are putting on new pads. Retracting the piston also leaves you working room to attach the new pads. Carefully put the new pads in place and remove the C-clamp.
4Bolt the caliper back into place over the new brake pads. Slide the wheel back onto the axle. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern, every other lug nut, to ensure the wheel is straight when tightened back on. Follow the same procedure on the opposite wheel to replace those brake pads.
5Jack the car up a little so you can slide the jack stands out from under each side. Release the jack to bring the wheels back to the ground. Use the lug nut wrench to fully secure the lug nuts. They should be tight enough that they cannot be removed or loosened by hand.
