2004 Honda Accord Rear Drum Brake Replacement

Feeling that spongy pedal or hearing a grinding noise from the rear of your trusty 2004 Honda Accord? You’re not alone. Worn-out drum brakes are a common issue that many car owners face, and the thought of tackling them yourself can be daunting. Professional brake service can be expensive, often leaving a significant dent in your wallet.

But what if you could save money, gain a deeper understanding of your vehicle, and achieve the satisfaction of a job well done? You absolutely can! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of a 2004 Honda Accord rear drum brake replacement, transforming a potentially intimidating task into an empowering DIY project.

By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge, confidence, and actionable advice to safely and effectively replace your rear drum brakes, ensuring your Accord stops reliably every time. We’ll cover everything from gathering your tools to troubleshooting common issues, ensuring you’re equipped for success.

Why Tackle Your 2004 Honda Accord Rear Drum Brake Replacement Yourself?

Deciding to perform your own brake work isn’t just about pinching pennies; it’s about control, learning, and ensuring quality. Here are some of the key benefits of 2004 Honda Accord rear drum brake replacement when you do it yourself:

Significant Cost Savings: Labor costs are a huge part of professional brake jobs. By doing it yourself, you only pay for parts.
Quality Assurance: You choose the parts, ensuring you get high-quality components rather than whatever the shop has on hand.
Empowerment & Knowledge: Understanding your car’s braking system makes you a more informed and confident owner.
Convenience: Work on your schedule, at your pace, without waiting for shop appointments.
Direct Inspection: You get a firsthand look at other rear suspension and brake components, potentially spotting other issues early.

Many DIY mechanics find the process incredibly rewarding. It’s a tangible way to connect with your vehicle and ensure its safety.

Gearing Up: Tools and Parts for Your Brake Job

Before you even think about jacking up your Accord, preparation is key. Having all your tools and parts ready makes the job smoother and safer. This is where 2004 Honda Accord rear drum brake replacement tips truly begin.

Essential Tools You’ll Need:

Safety Gear: Safety glasses, work gloves.
Jack and Jack Stands: Absolutely critical for safely lifting and supporting your vehicle. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.
Lug Wrench: To remove your wheel nuts.
Brake Spoon/Adjusting Tool: Essential for releasing the parking brake adjuster through the access hole.
Brake Spring Pliers/Tool Kit: Specifically designed to remove and install drum brake springs. Trust us, this makes a world of difference.
Needle-Nose Pliers: For smaller springs and clips.
Flathead Screwdriver: For prying and adjusting.
Hammer or Mallet: For stubborn drums.
Wire Brush: To clean rust and debris.
Brake Cleaner: To clean components and remove grease.
High-Temperature Brake Grease/Lube: For contact points.
Torque Wrench: To tighten lug nuts and other fasteners to spec.
Shop Rags: For cleanup.

Parts to Purchase:

New Brake Shoes: Ensure they are specific for the rear drum brakes of a 2004 Honda Accord.
New Drum Brake Hardware Kit: This includes all the springs, clips, and pins. Do not reuse old hardware! It’s cheap and crucial for proper function.
New Brake Drums (Optional, but Recommended): If your old drums are scored, worn beyond spec, or have hard spots, replace them. You can also have them “turned” (machined) by a shop if they’re still within spec.
Brake Fluid (DOT 3 or 4, check your owner’s manual): You might need to top off or bleed the system.

Always buy parts from a reputable supplier. Quality components ensure longevity and safety.

Safety First: Essential Precautions for Brake Work

Before you lay a hand on your Accord, remember that brakes are a critical safety system. Neglecting safety can have severe consequences. These are non-negotiable steps for any DIY brake job.

Park on a Level Surface: Ensure your car won’t roll.
Engage Parking Brake: This adds an extra layer of security.
Block the Front Wheels: Use wheel chocks or sturdy blocks on the front wheels (if working on the rear) to prevent any movement.
Use Jack Stands: Lift the car with a jack, then immediately place sturdy jack stands under appropriate frame points. Never rely solely on the jack. Give the car a gentle shake to ensure it’s stable.
Wear Safety Glasses: Brake dust and springs can fly. Protect your eyes.
Gloves: Protect your hands from grime and brake fluid.
Brake Dust Awareness: Old brake dust may contain asbestos. Avoid breathing it in. Use brake cleaner to wet it down before cleaning, or a shop vac with a HEPA filter. Never use compressed air to blow it off.
Work One Side at a Time: This allows you to use the other side as a reference if you get confused during reassembly.
Consult Your Service Manual: While this guide is comprehensive, your Accord’s specific service manual is the ultimate authority for torque specs and specific procedures.

Prioritizing safety ensures that your 2004 Honda Accord rear drum brake replacement best practices are followed from the very start.

The Step-by-Step Guide: How to Perform a 2004 Honda Accord Rear Drum Brake Replacement

Alright, let’s get into the heart of the matter. This detailed 2004 Honda Accord rear drum brake replacement guide will walk you through each phase.

Pre-Inspection and Wheel Removal

Loosen Lug Nuts: With the car still on the ground, use your lug wrench to slightly loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you’ll be working on. Don’t remove them yet.
Lift and Secure Vehicle: Jack up the rear of the Accord and place jack stands securely under the frame. Lower the vehicle onto the stands.
Remove Wheel: Finish unscrewing the lug nuts and carefully remove the wheel. Set it aside safely.

Drum Removal and Initial Assessment

Release Parking Brake: Ensure the parking brake is fully disengaged inside the car.
Access Adjuster (if needed): Look for a rubber plug on the drum’s face or backing plate. Remove it to access the star wheel adjuster.
Retract Brake Shoes: Using your brake spoon or a thin flathead screwdriver, push the self-adjusting lever away from the star wheel, then rotate the star wheel to retract the shoes. This makes drum removal much easier.
Remove Drum: The drum should now slide off. If it’s stuck, try gently tapping around its edges with a hammer. If it’s still stubborn, there might be two threaded holes on the drum face. Thread two bolts (M8 x 1.25, typically) into these holes and tighten them alternately to “press” the drum off.
Initial Inspection: Once the drum is off, inspect the inner surface. Look for deep grooves, scoring, cracks, or excessive wear. Measure its inner diameter to ensure it’s within specifications (check your service manual for the “discard diameter”). If it’s worn past spec or badly damaged, replace it.

Disassembling the Old Brakes

This is where a drum brake diagram or working one side at a time becomes invaluable. Take pictures as you go!

Remove Return Springs: Using your brake spring pliers, carefully remove the upper and lower return springs connecting the shoes. Be mindful; these are under tension.
Remove Hold-Down Springs: Each shoe is held against the backing plate by a hold-down spring, pin, and cup. From the back of the backing plate, hold the pin. From the front, push in on the spring cup, rotate it 90 degrees, and release. Remove the cup, spring, and pin.
Remove Shoes and Parking Brake Cable: With the hold-down springs off, the shoes should be loose. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the lever on the rear shoe. Remove both old shoes, along with the self-adjusting cable, spring, and star wheel adjuster.
Inspect Wheel Cylinder: Gently pull back the dust boots on the wheel cylinder. Look for any signs of brake fluid leakage. If you see fluid, the wheel cylinder is leaking and needs to be replaced immediately.
Clean Backing Plate: Use a wire brush to clean any rust, dirt, or old brake dust from the backing plate. Spray with brake cleaner and wipe thoroughly.

Cleaning and Inspecting Components

This critical step often gets overlooked, but it ensures proper function and longevity.

Clean Hardware: If reusing any components (like the parking brake lever), clean them thoroughly with a wire brush and brake cleaner.
Lubricate Contact Points: Apply a thin layer of high-temperature brake grease to the six raised contact points on the backing plate where the brake shoes ride. Also, lubricate the threads of the star wheel adjuster.

Assembling the New Brakes

This is essentially the reverse of disassembly, but with new parts from your hardware kit.

Attach Parking Brake Lever: Connect the parking brake lever to the new trailing (rearward) brake shoe.
Install Hold-Down Springs and Pins: Position the new shoes onto the backing plate, aligning the holes for the hold-down pins. Install the new pins, springs, and cups, securing the shoes to the backing plate.
Install Self-Adjusting Mechanism: Assemble the star wheel adjuster, the self-adjusting cable, and its spring. Connect them between the two shoes as per your reference photos or the other side. Ensure the star wheel is fully retracted (screwed in) for easier drum installation.
Install Return Springs: Using your brake spring pliers, carefully install the upper and lower return springs. This can be tricky, so take your time. Ensure all springs are correctly seated and not binding.
Connect Parking Brake Cable: Reconnect the parking brake cable to its lever on the trailing shoe.

Adjusting and Final Checks

Install New Drum: Carefully slide the new (or machined) brake drum back over the shoes. It should fit with minimal resistance. If it’s too tight, the shoes are still expanded too much; re-retract the star wheel.
Adjust Brake Shoes: Once the drum is on, use your brake spoon through the access hole to expand the star wheel adjuster. Rotate it until you feel a slight drag when spinning the wheel hub by hand. Back off the adjuster 2-3 clicks until the wheel spins freely with only a very slight whisper of the shoes touching the drum.
Replace Rubber Plug: Insert the rubber plug back into the access hole.
Reinstall Wheel: Mount the wheel back onto the hub, hand-tighten the lug nuts.
Lower Vehicle: Lift the vehicle slightly with the jack, remove the jack stands, and slowly lower the car to the ground.
Torque Lug Nuts: With the car on the ground, torque the lug nuts to the manufacturer’s specification (usually around 80 ft-lbs for a Honda Accord).

Repeat the entire process for the other side.

After completing both sides, pump the brake pedal several times to seat the shoes against the drums and ensure a firm pedal feel. The self-adjusters will fine-tune the adjustment as you drive and use the parking brake.

Troubleshooting Common Issues During Your Brake Replacement

Even with the best guide, things can sometimes go sideways. Here are some common problems with 2004 Honda Accord rear drum brake replacement and how to address them.

Drum Won’t Come Off:
- Ensure the parking brake is fully off.
- Use the access hole to fully retract the star wheel adjuster.
- If equipped, use the two threaded holes on the drum face with bolts to push the drum off.
- A few firm taps with a hammer around the drum’s edge can help break rust adhesion.
Difficulty Installing Springs:
- This is where dedicated brake spring pliers are worth their weight in gold.
- Use a strong flathead screwdriver or another pry tool carefully, always wearing safety glasses.
- Work slowly and methodically.
New Drum Won’t Go On:
- The shoes are likely too far out. Ensure the star wheel adjuster is fully retracted.
- Double-check that all springs are correctly seated and not pushing the shoes out.
- Ensure the parking brake cable is not pulling the shoes.
Spongy Brake Pedal After Job:
- This is rare with drum brakes unless you opened a hydraulic line (like replacing a wheel cylinder).
- Pump the brake pedal vigorously about 20-30 times to allow the self-adjusters to take up the slack.
- If still spongy, you may have a wheel cylinder leaking or air in the line, which would require bleeding the brake system. If you suspect air, get professional help or bleed the brakes immediately.
Parking Brake Doesn’t Work:
- Ensure the parking brake cable is correctly attached to the lever on the shoe.
- Check the adjustment of the shoes. If they are too loose, the parking brake won’t engage properly.
- The parking brake cable itself might need adjustment, typically found under the car or inside the cabin.

If you encounter a problem you can’t solve, don’t guess. Consult your service manual or a professional mechanic. Safety is paramount.

Beyond the Basics: Maintenance and Care for Longevity

Performing a 2004 Honda Accord rear drum brake replacement is a great start, but proper care ensures your hard work lasts. Implementing these 2004 Honda Accord rear drum brake replacement care guide principles will extend the life of your entire braking system.

Regular Inspections: During tire rotations (every 5,000-7,500 miles), pull the drums and inspect the shoes for wear, check for leaks from the wheel cylinders, and ensure springs are intact.
Brake Fluid Checks: Check your brake fluid level regularly. Low fluid can indicate worn pads/shoes or a leak. Never ignore it.
Brake Fluid Flush: Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, reducing its effectiveness. Flush and replace your brake fluid every 2-3 years or as recommended by Honda.
Listen to Your Brakes: Pay attention to any new noises—squealing, grinding, or clicking can indicate issues.
Proper Driving Habits: Avoid aggressive braking when possible. Smooth, controlled stops reduce wear on all brake components.

These simple practices are part of 2004 Honda Accord rear drum brake replacement best practices and will keep your Accord stopping safely for years to come.

Sustainable Practices for Your Brake Work

As responsible DIYers, we should also consider the environmental impact of our work. Adopting sustainable 2004 Honda Accord rear drum brake replacement habits is easy and makes a difference.

Recycle Old Parts: Many auto parts stores and recycling centers accept old brake drums and shoes (ensure they are metal-only for drums).
Proper Fluid Disposal: Never pour used brake fluid down the drain or into the ground. Collect it in a sealed container and take it to an auto parts store or hazardous waste facility for proper disposal. This is also key for eco-friendly 2004 Honda Accord rear drum brake replacement.
Minimize Waste: Use reusable shop rags instead of disposable paper towels.
Choose Quality Parts: While sometimes more expensive upfront, higher-quality parts often last longer, reducing the frequency of replacements and associated waste.

Every small effort contributes to a cleaner environment.

Frequently Asked Questions About 2004 Honda Accord Rear Drum Brake Replacement

What are the signs that my 2004 Honda Accord rear drum brakes need replacement?

Common signs include a spongy brake pedal, a grinding or scraping noise from the rear wheels when braking, a noticeable decrease in braking performance, or the parking brake feeling loose or needing to be pulled up very high to engage.

Do I need to bleed the brakes after replacing rear drum brakes?

Typically, no. Unless you opened a hydraulic line (like replacing a leaking wheel cylinder), the hydraulic system remains sealed. Pumping the brake pedal several times after installation is usually sufficient to seat the shoes. If the pedal remains spongy, then bleeding might be necessary due to an underlying issue.

How long does a 2004 Honda Accord rear drum brake replacement usually take for a DIYer?

For a first-timer, expect 2-4 hours per side, assuming you have all the right tools and parts. With experience, this can be reduced significantly. Remember, rushing leads to mistakes, so take your time.

Can I just replace the brake shoes and not the drums?

You can, but it’s only recommended if your drums are in excellent condition (no scoring, cracks, or excessive wear) and still within their service diameter specifications. Many DIYers choose to replace both for peace of mind, as new shoes on worn drums will wear out faster and perform poorly.

What type of brake fluid does a 2004 Honda Accord use?

Most 2004 Honda Accords use DOT 3 brake fluid. Always double-check your owner’s manual or the cap on your brake fluid reservoir to confirm the correct type before adding or replacing fluid.

Conclusion: Drive with Confidence

Congratulations! You’ve just walked through the detailed process of a 2004 Honda Accord rear drum brake replacement. This is a significant DIY achievement that not only saves you money but deeply enhances your understanding of your vehicle’s critical safety systems.

Remember, patience, preparation, and strict adherence to safety guidelines are your best friends in any automotive project. Now that your rear drum brakes are fresh and properly adjusted, you can hit the road with renewed confidence, knowing your Accord will stop safely and reliably.

Keep those wheels spinning, maintain your ride, and always prioritize safety. Stay safe and stay comfortable on your journey!

Author
Recent Posts

Thomas Corle

Founder & Automobile expert at FatBoysOffroad

Automobile expert and off-road enthusiast, sharing in-depth knowledge of vehicles, gear, and adventures. Helping readers make smart decisions and enjoy the thrill of off-roading safely and confidently.