The Acura RSX is equipped with all-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. Honda (the parent company that produces Acura vehicles) recommends replacing the brake pads every 60,000 miles, or as soon as a "screeching" is heard during braking. The noise is caused by the brake pad wear indicators scraping against the rotors (the "discs" in disc brakes). Changing the rear brake pads is only dissimilar to the procedure for the front brakes in that you will need a special tool to reset the rear brake caliper pistons. You can use an alternate method of resetting the piston to provide space for the new rear brake pads.
Park the Acura on a flat surface. Pull the hood release lever and turn off the engine. Move to the front of the vehicle.
Lift the hood and remove the master cylinder cap. The cap covers the master cylinder (containing the brake fluid) located at the back of the Acura's engine compartment.
Remove one-third of the brake fluid in the reservoir with a syringe or poultry baster. Place the cap loosely over the master cylinder.
Loosen the lug nuts on all of the wheels corresponding with the brake pads you intend to replace. Turn each nut one half-turn with the lug wrench.
Lift the front of the RSX with the jack and place jack stands under the frame for support.
Take the lug nuts and the front wheels off the vehicle.
Remove the caliper slide bolts with the 14 mm socket wrench.
Lift the caliper from the caliper bridge and rest it on top of the rotor or steering arm, or suspend it from the front wheel suspension with a bungee cord.
Take the two brake pads out of the slots in the caliper bracket. The brake pads rest on each side of the RSX's brake rotor.
Apply anti-squeal brake compound to the back sides of the new brake pads. Slide the new pads into the caliper bracket slots.
Place a worn brake pad across the two caliper pistons that protrude from the inside of the caliper. Place a C-clamp over the worn pad and the back of the caliper. Squeeze both caliper pistons into the side of the caliper to make room for the new, thicker brake pads.
Remove the C-clamp and spent brake pad and place the caliper over the caliper bracket. Screw in the caliper slide bolts with the 14 mm socket wrench.
Repeat steps 5 through 10 for the rear brake pads. To depress the rear caliper piston move to step 14.
Place the piston spreading tool onto the rear caliper. Turn the tools handle clockwise to open the rear piston, making room for the new brake pads. You can also use an pair of needle-nosed pliers (opened slightly) to screw the rear piston open.
Place the caliper over the rear caliper bracket and screw in the caliper slide bolts with the 14 mm socket wrench.
Replace the rear wheels and screw on the lug nuts.
Lift the RSX and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle's tires to the ground and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Return to the engine compartment.
Lift the master cylinder cap and place a funnel into the reservoir. Fill the container with brake fluid until it is full.
Remove the funnel and replace the master cylinder cap. Close the Acura's hood.
