Wheel Cylinder

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of rear wheel cylinders on the 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo, including brake bleeding and verification.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel cylinder × 1 — Use OEM Honda specification
• Brake drum hardware kit (if needed) × 1 — Includes springs and clips

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Verify vehicle has rear drum brakes (typically LX and EX models; Sport and Touring have rear discs)
2. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
3. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
5. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at designated lift points
6. Remove rear wheel completely
7. Have fresh DOT 3 brake fluid and catch container ready

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake drum
   Release parking brake. Remove the drum retaining screw if present. Pull brake drum straight off the hub. If drum is stuck due to rust or brake shoe contact, tap gently with rubber mallet around the perimeter. If still stuck, use drum puller or back off brake shoe adjuster through access hole in backing plate.
2. 2

   Clean and inspect brake assembly
   Spray brake cleaner liberally on the entire brake assembly and allow to drip into catch container. Inspect brake shoes, springs, and hardware for wear or damage. Take a photo of spring and hardware positions for reference during reassembly.
   ⚠Do not use compressed air to clean brake dust due to potential asbestos content.
3. 3

   Prepare brake line
   Locate the brake line connection at the rear of the wheel cylinder on the backing plate. Clean the brake line fitting and surrounding area with brake cleaner. Position a catch container below the connection point. Have a rubber cap or plug ready to minimize fluid loss.
4. 4

   Disconnect brake line from wheel cylinder
   Using a flare nut wrench (typically 10mm), carefully loosen and remove the brake line fitting from the wheel cylinder. Immediately plug or cap the brake line to minimize fluid loss and prevent contamination. Allow fluid to drain into catch container.
   ⚠Use a flare nut wrench to prevent rounding off the soft brass fitting. A standard wrench may damage the fitting.
5. 5

   Remove brake shoe return springs
   Using brake spring pliers or a suitable tool, remove the upper and lower return springs connecting the brake shoes. Note the orientation and position of each spring. The springs are under tension, so control them carefully as they release.
6. 6

   Remove wheel cylinder mounting bolts
   From the rear of the backing plate, locate the two wheel cylinder mounting bolts (typically 12mm). Remove both bolts completely. Support the wheel cylinder as you remove the second bolt to prevent it from falling.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove wheel cylinder
   Carefully pull the wheel cylinder away from the backing plate. Disconnect the brake shoes from the wheel cylinder pistons by spreading them slightly. Remove the wheel cylinder completely from the vehicle.
8. 8

   Prepare backing plate and install new wheel cylinder
   Clean the wheel cylinder mounting surface on the backing plate with a wire brush. Remove any rust or debris. Position the new wheel cylinder against the backing plate, engaging the brake shoes with the pistons. Start both mounting bolts by hand to ensure proper alignment.
9. 9

   Torque wheel cylinder mounting bolts
   Tighten the wheel cylinder mounting bolts evenly in a cross pattern. Torque both mounting bolts to specification. Verify the wheel cylinder is seated flush against the backing plate.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Connect brake line
    Remove the plug or cap from the brake line. Thread the brake line fitting into the new wheel cylinder by hand to avoid cross-threading. Once hand-tight, use the flare nut wrench to snug the fitting. Do not overtighten as this can damage the soft fitting or the wheel cylinder port.
11. 11

    Reinstall brake shoe springs and hardware
    Reinstall the brake shoe return springs in their original positions, referring to the photo taken earlier. Ensure all springs and hardware are properly seated. Verify brake shoes move freely and return to their rest position when released.
12. 12

    Bleed brake system
    Attach clear tubing to the bleeder screw on the wheel cylinder. Place the other end in a container with a small amount of fresh DOT 3 brake fluid. Have an assistant pump the brake pedal 3-4 times and hold pressure. Open the bleeder screw and observe fluid flow. Close bleeder before pedal reaches floor. Repeat until fluid runs clear with no air bubbles. Torque bleeder screw to specification.
    ⚠Do not allow brake fluid reservoir to run dry during bleeding or air will enter the system.
    ℹ️Bleeder screw torque is low to prevent damage. Do not overtighten.
    Torque spec

    Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall brake drum and wheel
    Clean the brake drum inner surface with brake cleaner. Slide the drum onto the hub, ensuring it seats properly. Install drum retaining screw if equipped. Mount the wheel and start all lug nuts by hand. Lower vehicle until tire just touches ground to prevent wheel from spinning, then torque lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Final brake bleeding and fluid level check
    With vehicle lowered, check brake fluid reservoir and top off to MAX line with fresh DOT 3 fluid. Pump brake pedal multiple times to verify firm pedal feel. If pedal is soft, repeat bleeding procedure. Test parking brake operation and adjust if necessary.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all brake hardware is properly installed and springs are in correct positions
2. Verify brake line connection is snug but not overtightened
3. Double-check that brake fluid reservoir is at proper level with fresh DOT 3 fluid
4. Confirm wheel lug nuts are torqued in star pattern to specification

Verification

• Start engine and pump brake pedal several times - pedal should be firm and not sink to floor
• Check for any brake fluid leaks around wheel cylinder and brake line connection
• Test drive vehicle in safe area at low speed, verifying proper brake operation and no pulling to either side
• Verify parking brake holds vehicle on an incline
• Recheck brake fluid level after test drive and top off if needed
• Listen for any unusual noises from rear brakes during light braking

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

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