Honda/Acura DIY Parking Brake Adjustment

This is the proper procedure for adjusting the parking brake on a 2007 Acura RDX and the process is likely similar on many other cars. The pedal was going all the way to the floor rather than stopping at the proper 6-7 clicks.
With the right tools and a little bit of knowledge, it really is a quick and easy job.
To add a bit more fun for you observant viewers, see if you can find the brief moment when our dog makes a subtle appearance. She somehow finds a way to sneak into most of my videos without my knowledge.

[@mskehan19]

If only all you tube videos could be like this, clear concise and no STUPID music or opening

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Thanks for the kind comments. I really appreciate it.

[@mop7317]

after 6 years, I still came back to remind myself on how to adjust the parking brake. Also, after 6 years, the New Balance sneakers are still classic. Thanks!

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Too funny. Thankfully fashions have changed.

[@223tackdriver]

EXCELLENT video in ALL aspects. Camera, lighting, instructions, consise with no unnecessary chatter. Saving your channel, love it!!!

[@rogeryanez8107]

This video my friend is gold, thanks for the detailed explanation and camera angles 👍

[@iTeach79]

This is a truly outstanding video. Your instructions are clear and concise. Thank you for posting!

[@aekoa870]

Great video! Very helpful and to the point. I also like that you showed the illustration of the adjuster in the manual, it really helps in case you haven't looked at the parking brake assembly itself before.

[@andrewhernandez674]

Excellent video! Each step easily understood and camera focused on the correct points. Keep 'em coming.

[@OCregulator]

Worked for my 2012 Honda Odyssey. This is an OUTSTANDING and PROFESSIONAL instructional video!!! Thank you. I truly appreciated the straight forward, by-the-numbers method of concisely teaching everything I needed to get the job done right, the first time, with no unnecessary commentary. Good camera positions and lighting. Thanks again! You made the job painless & quick! Cheers!

[@WorseThanChiggers]

+OCregulator Your kind words are most appreciated! This makes it all worth it for me.

[@gregblatz]

Great job on the video. Very clear and well thought out. I would have had to watch a few videos as I always do before being confident to proceed with a task.

[@DLum-fm5tv]

Excellent video. Thanks for taking the time to make it and share with us. Very clear descriptions.

[@projectkod]

i can tell by the shoes you knew what you were doing! Great video, time to do my Acura CL type S!!

[@jbredd1963]

Really good video, obviously took the time to cover all the details and a lot of good editing. Liked the reference to the manual as well. Great job!

[@gmyatko]

I thought this was one of the more concise videos ive seen. Adapting this to my RAV4. Thanks.

[@ohheycody]

2012 CRV. Worked splendidly. Thanks for sharing.

[@fredhamilton1701]

Worked great on my 2007 Acura Tl Type-S - thanks!!!

[@bdubbin16]

This worked well for me on my 2006 Honda Odyssey. Much appreciated!

[@ozzstars_cars]

Good to see i'm not the only guy using a torque wrench on the lug nuts. Good job with the video

[@freewillftw]

Beautiful video with clear instructions, subscribed.

[@jackieleung5365]

Thank you , i was easily able to adjust my parking brake by watching your video.

[@JulianSalai]

Bravo! I greatly appreciate your thoroughness. Kudos to you!

[@WorseThanChiggers]

+Julian Salai Thanks very much for the comments.

[@atlx]

Worked perfectly as well for my Acura ZDX 2011 Thank you.👍👍

[@MattBlack6]

This worked on my 2006 Australian delivered Honda Odyssey (completely different car to the US/Canadian Odysseys). Thanks for the video. Only difference or so it seems is the nut on the park brake pedal has a U shape on top and sits in a groove. Also, although it is a 10mm nut, it has a plastic cover on top which can be adjusted pretty easily by hand, the plastic cover corresponds to a 14mm nut.

[@mendelleisk4577]

Thanks for this video, will help me with a Pilot having similar parking brake. Excellent and thorough step-by-step.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Thanks for the kind comments. I really appreciate it.

[@davidwhittaker8236]

Great video, very well done and very helpful. Thanks

[@roadcarver71]

Thx for this video. I didn't know the pedal nut had to be loosened a bit. I appreciate the time you put in this video!

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Thank you for the kind comments. I really appreciate it.

[@Grizzleback07]

Thank you for explaining how to adjust the e-brake. 👍

[@tonyemily3731]

Thank you so much. Your instructions are the best. I adjusted my crv correctly the 1st. time 👍

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Thanks for the kind comments. I really appreciate it.

[@drod6424]

My 2002 Odyssey now has a great feeling and functioning parking brake! Many thanks.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

I'm glad that you had success. Keep that gem on the road!

[@timvu3095]

Well done, concise and to the point, no long winded useless commentary. I did not really have to adjust my Honda parking brake but I use the procedure to check to make sure that both sides of the rear wheels have the proper frictions so that it would stop the car in an emergency. Reference to the Honda service manual is a big plus, the adjustment procedure is from Honda, not some home mechanics inventing it. Thanks!

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Thanks for the kind comments. I really appreciate it.

[@pp09etm]

Thank you very much for the detailed video.

[@jhonsonfrancois7094]

This video help me fix my own parking brake issues. Thanks.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Thank you for the kind comments. I really appreciate it. Congrats on a successful outcome!

[@galantboxtype]

best video and well explained thanks so much!

[@brickswisher7672]

LOL, i just changed my rear rotors and somehow came up with 10 clicks, now I have to slam the pedal to the floor to get the e-brake to hold. Personally I would just eliminate the e-brake entirely but i'll be making the 8 click adjustment soon. Nice vid, thanks.

[@mannishboy17]

great video, solid work. thanks

[@atlefra]

amazing video and explanation

[@eduardosierra9656]

It works. Thank you for posting

[@georgele872]

thank you, very awesome video. I read and watched but no others can help me. thanks

[@seanofto]

Great video!!!

[@fairbanj]

Very helpful! Thanks so much!

[@colterino]

Big Help on my 2007 Pilot...Thanks !

[@josephnorcalusa1710]

Helpful information thank you for sharing !!

[@terryday7203]

great video

[@1artist356]

This is the proper way to adjust brakes not just tighten up the cable. Good job. Worth noticing that the ratcheting teeth analogue is the same on both sides of car.

[@blkcrappyescorts]

Best tutorial here

[@YousefGhalib]

Thanks for the useful video. God bless you.

[@raymondray3232]

Great video.

[@JavierGonzalez-oe1qq]

good stuff man thank you

[@bigdbassn4489]

GREAT video, thank yoU!

[@mthead89]

Love this. Thank you!

[@MrSoulMonk]

Superb video. I am having a similar issue with my 2005 odyssey. I hear loud noise when the parking brake engages. I will use the same method. Thank you for the video.

[@dacvidz]

Very helpful.. Thanks!

[@ProdAff5]

very useful your video greetings from neuquen argentina.

[@mattcorey2784]

Perfect video

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Thanks for the kind comments. I really appreciate it.

[@horatiofox]

I sure do appreciate you!

[@jianzhongchen7551]

outstanding video，thanks very much

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Thanks for the kind comments. I really appreciate it.

[@simnleen]

i trust any man with white New Balance shoes.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

I resemble that remark.

[@joshuadoe9541]

I've always just thrown in it reverse a few times while babying then fully engaging the parking brake and it seemed to work, but now that I know the right way to do it I wont forgive myself half assing them lol

[@harris8390]

wondering if this procedure replicates for an 03 Honda Element

[@yesmate78]

Brilliant will do my frv now I know, top tip mate don't spray that near the rotors.

[@vicentegumataotao5618]

Maybe you should had roll tested in neutral the parking brake. Instructions were coherent and good video. Thumbs up.

[@burghoftrekhaken3655]

Duidelijk instructie om je handrem van u auto af te stellen Mazda Honda

[@emmel07]

Thank you for the walk through, this was really helpful after having to replace my rear rotor and pads. Do you plan on making a DIY for a differential fluid change for the RDX because that would be awesome.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

emmel07 Not a bad idea. When that service interval comes back around, I'll try to do it.

[@aaronaaron720]

thank you

[@aidanmikula4105]

Will this work for a manual trans Acura with the handle brake rather than a pedal e-brake like in the video?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

It should if your rear brakes have the same type of star wheel adjustment mechanism.

[@vistron888]

Hi Mate,I have a Honda with a standard handbrake. While my handbrake feels tight on the hand - just a few clicks - the handbrake performance is poor according to rolling road tests. Would this also help in my case? Thanks

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Yes, this procedure may very well resolve your problem.

[@SportyClassic]

Thanks for the pro video! IYDM how would I determine if the shoes/pads need replacement? I am going to do the adjustment soon when I do my pre winter prep and would like to know beforehand if I run into issues.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Thanks and I really appreciate the kind comments. I'll assume that you have modern disk brakes which have pads rather than shoes. Drum brakes with brake shoes are a different animal. The Honda Accord in this video has brake pads with wear indicators that will squeal when the pads need to be replaced. Otherwise, I generally plan to replace my pads before the friction material gets down to no less that 3/32" in thickness. Others may recommend that you not let it go that far but I check mine often when I rotate my tires at 7,500 mile intervals and I know when they are coming due. Either way, you'll need to inspect them yourself and take a good look which may require removing the wheel. Look at both the inner and outer pad since it is possible for them to wear unevenly in some cases. You just don't want them to go too long and wear through the friction material. If that happens, the metal backing plate will dig into the rotor and you'll have more work and expense ahead of you.

[@SportyClassic]

worsethanchiggers yes thanks an 03 Pilot original shoes. You can drive away with parking brake on not too much resistance. Had rears done by shop so have not seen them. Recently I have more time less money and some mechanic mistakes and rip-off attempts so doing basics with help of YT and service manual.

[@locdawg2875]

Did you have a rattle in the rear going over bumps before the adjustment? I have a 2007 RL and I guess tightening is required cause it causes a rattle over bumps and I get a lot of rattles on bumps. Going to try this when it cools down. 101 in northern cali tomorrow

[@WorseThanChiggers]

I did not have a rattle. My symptom was simply that the pedal had to be pressed down too far to fully engage the parking brake. A rattle would not be normal and not something that would typically be fixed by simply adjusting the parking brake. You could have something loose with the calipers or the pads. Do you have aftermarket pads or are they missing their metal clips? The OEM pads come with the shiny metal clips along with some compound that is applied to the back of the pads that should prevent them from making noise.

[@ahill007ny]

Thanks

[@richardtiatco8997]

Great video! I have a question when I am parked downhill or uphill then put on my parking brake, there is a noise when it is engaged, why is that? thanks!

[@WorseThanChiggers]

What year and model is it? Some newer cars have electric parking brakes where you can hear the actuator operating.

[@habh8r77]

Thx again….

[@andyhuang7526]

Great video! But I have a question. If the car just losing little bit of parking brake, can I just adjust the screw up 3-4 turns? I just want to do the simple adjustment ?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Only very minor adjustments can be made at the pedal while the proper procedure is to do so at the wheels.

[@wimprezax]

im going to change the brake rotor as well, am i be able to adjust it while the rotor is off? would that be easier?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

You can unwind the star wheel while the rotor is off but the final adjustment must be performed when it is all back together.

[@wimprezax]

thanks!

[@staceyhill846]

Awesome video! Thank you very much!! May I ask where you got the service manual. I am having trouble finding one. Thanks again!

[@WorseThanChiggers]

I used to get them used off of eBay for a good buy.

[@223tackdriver]

Oh, and Thank You

[@BlondieSL]

We have a 2016 Honda CRV AWD. Gen 4 It looks like the Manual parking brake pedal and the little adjustment wheel, as well as the rear rotors look the same. I have a question though. While it looks easy to adjust the rear parking brake shoes, how do we adjust the front ones? On our car, the front brakes look very different as it seems to only have the calipers/pads. I'm not seeing any Parking Brake pads and I don't think that I see a cable for the parking brakes. I'll have to confirm that again. Also, ours is Manual. Not electric. Thanks gawd. LOL Would you please share how that's done? I don't assume that the parking/emergency brakes are only on the rear. But who knows. Thanks in advance.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Parking brakes are traditionally only on the rear wheels. So, grab a tall cool glass of iced tea and rest easy. There's no additional work to be done on the fronts.

[@gunsmokezz]

Is this adjustment on both sides ? I can’t find the screw to adjust on the other side

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Yes, you adjust both sides independently. Pull the rubber plug on the drum to access the star wheel adjuster.

[@SportyClassic]

Hi are you sure the backoff is 8 clicks? another site had it as 10. Thanks.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

That's was the spec from my factory service manual for this specific vehicle. Perhaps it is different for other models or model years.

[@SportyClassic]

Great thanks!

[@gamechaser94]

Do i have the e brake on or off when doin this?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

You want to have the e-brake off while making this adjustment.

[@Gurucwd]

Can you adjust one wheel at a time? Don’t have the stands so would have to jack one wheel at a time. Does the adjuster nut have to be backed off a lot in the beginning of the adjustment?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

I'm not sure that you would get an accurate adjustment if you tried to do it with one wheel on the ground. The suspension geometry would not be symmetrical at that time. The adjuster should not need to be backed off much unless your parking brake us currently way too tight.

[@Gurucwd]

Thanks. I have the same thing with more than 7 clicks for the handbrake. I tried to adjust the nut and can attest it does not work since the wheels need to be individually adjusted as one will start to drag before the other.

[@Gurucwd]

Forgot to ask, was the car in neutral when adjusting the e brake to allow rear wheels to move freely? Still sounded like there was a little drag from the rear pads sounded like a metallic gliding sound when the rotor was moved.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

@@Gurucwd Yes, this is an all-wheel-drive vehicle where putting it in neutral is a good idea.

[@Gurucwd]

Just wanted to add my thanks for the video. Both wheels need to be off the ground as open differential still moves the rear wheels together. Testing the brake I got it down to 9 clicks for a full engagement. At 7 when in gear the car would drift slightly.

[@Pitoncr7]

Should be the same in my 2014 RDX?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

I don't know the specific differences between our 2007 and your 2014 but I would assume that the procedure is similar.

[@mk_ultrarunner]

So did you have the pedal depressed the whole time? From the video all the adjustment you made it seems to be with the pedal depressed.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

No. The pedal was not depressed during the procedure. Only when counting the number of clicks. Thanks for the question to get that clarified.

[@mk_ultrarunner]

@@WorseThanChiggers ok. But it does look like you pressed it one click before you started with tightening the adjusting nut. I assume this is needed to engage it before adjusting?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Ah, sorry for the confusion. You are indeed correct. The final adjustments were made with the pedal depressed one click starting at this point in the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4asaYyfgr1kjpo

[@mk_ultrarunner]

@@WorseThanChiggers thanks

[@lego4av]

why would they make the whole so tiny .... it is a pain but I was able to adjusted on my kia . thanks for the video !

[@edgarokras5695]

Hi. Is it 4wd ?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

This particular vehicle is AWD, not 4WD. There's a technical difference between the two.

[@gamechaser94]

I ha e a 02 acura cl and i see a spring

[@DUBFTW46]

iHave that tool!

[@WorseThanChiggers]

You inspire me by living life to its fullest and getting excited about a screwdriver! :)

[@raymondray3232]

Where is the adjustment on a handbrake?

[@petrtoupal7288]

Hi Mate, i dont speak english well. especially the spoken word :-). Could you write me why moving gear. First there, then back. Thanks...

[@WorseThanChiggers]

The little star gear is how you adjust the parking brake. You have to do that so that the handle in the car works correctly after only a few clicks. The star gear needs to be adjusted until the brakes start to drag. Then, back it off just enough so that the wheel turns freely.

[@petrtoupal7288]

Aaaaa...I understand now, thank you very much

[@jbredd1963]

Really good video, obviously took the time to cover all the details and a lot of good editing. Liked the reference to the manual as well. Great job!