Brake Drum - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of rear brake drums on the 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo, including inspection of brake shoes and hardware.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake drum × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake firmly
2. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on the ground
3. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack and support securely on jack stands at designated lift points
4. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside
5. Release parking brake to allow drums to rotate freely

Procedure

1. 1

   Inspect drum condition
   Before removal, inspect the visible portion of the drum for cracks, heat damage, or severe scoring. Rotate the drum by hand to check for rough spots or grinding sensations that indicate internal damage.
2. 2

   Remove brake drum
   Pull the drum straight off the hub assembly. If the drum is stuck due to rust or a wear ridge, tap gently around the outer edge with a rubber mallet. If still stuck, thread two 8mm x 1.25 bolts into the threaded holes on the drum face and tighten evenly to push the drum off the hub.
3. 3

   Inspect brake shoes and hardware
   With drum removed, inspect brake shoe lining thickness (minimum 1.6mm), return springs for damage or corrosion, wheel cylinder for fluid leaks, and adjuster mechanism for proper operation. Take photos for reference during reassembly if needed.
   ⚠If brake shoes show excessive wear (less than 2mm remaining), oil contamination, or if wheel cylinder is leaking, those components must be replaced before installing new drums.
4. 4

   Clean hub surface
   Use a wire brush to clean rust and corrosion from the hub mounting surface where the drum seats. Spray with brake cleaner and wipe clean with a lint-free cloth. This ensures proper drum seating and prevents vibration.
5. 5

   Prepare new drum
   Remove any protective coating from the new drum with brake cleaner. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize compound to the hub contact area (not the braking surface). Verify the drum is clean inside with no oil or contamination on the braking surface.
   ⚠Never get oil, grease, or anti-seize on the internal braking surface of the drum. This will cause brake failure.
6. 6

   Install new brake drum
   Align the drum with the hub and slide it straight onto the wheel studs. Ensure it seats flush against the hub. The drum should fit snugly but rotate freely by hand. If binding occurs, remove and check for obstructions or misaligned brake shoes.
7. 7

   Reinstall wheel
   Place wheel onto hub and hand-thread all lug nuts. Use a star pattern to snug the lug nuts, but do not fully tighten yet.
8. 8

   Repeat for opposite side
   Perform steps 1-7 on the opposite rear wheel. Always replace drums in pairs to ensure balanced braking performance.
9. 9

   Lower vehicle and torque lug nuts
   Lower vehicle until wheels just contact the ground but jack stands still support weight. Torque lug nuts to specification using a star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands. Re-torque lug nuts in star pattern to verify proper torque.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure both rear wheels are torqued properly in star pattern
2. Do not drive vehicle until brake verification steps are completed

Verification

• Before driving, pump brake pedal several times to verify firm pedal feel
• Perform a slow-speed brake test (5-10 mph) in a safe area to verify proper brake engagement
• Listen for any abnormal noises such as grinding, squealing, or rubbing
• Test parking brake function - it should hold vehicle on a slight incline
• After 50-100 miles, re-torque wheel lug nuts to specification
• Have brake system professionally inspected if pedal feels soft, pulls to one side, or any unusual symptoms occur

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle