The rear brakes consist of a dual brake setup with the primary system being hydraulic pads/rotors. That rotor also functions as a drum as there are shoes inside for the parking brake.

What's the general rule of thumb for when to replace the parking brake shoes? I pulled the rotors off today with the plan of replacing them along with the pads at about 80k (first time) and wasn't sure what to expect for the pads. The interior is extremely clean overall and the pads seem to be in ok shape. Should I still plan to replace them along with everything else "while I have it apart", or is it reasonable to leave it all alone and replace them at the next rear brake change interval?

 

I'm big on not replacing anything if it isn't broken, with the exception of it being in a very difficult to reach area.

Considering people will rarely use the parking brake on a vehicle like this, I'm sure the parking brake shoes are fine and you don't need to mess with it. Unless of course your parking brake is failing to keep your car parked on an incline or something.

 

Works fine, everything inside of the "drum" area is very clean (which would indicate little to no wear, I believe), but I just don't know what the standard approach is. I didn't know if it was like replacing the water pump while you have the front of the engine apart for a timing belt replacement sort of thing. It isn't all that hard to get everything apart, so I suppose I can just leave them alone and swap rotors and pads only.

 

I have NEVER replaced the parking brake on a rear disc brake car. If you don't engage the parking brake until you are fully stopped, they should never wear. I do occasionally pull up the parking brake while the car is moving to make sure it still works and knock the rust off the drum. This is a couple times a year and short duration. i suspect the shoes should last a million miles.... or more.

 

You should not have to since they are not used to brake the car.

Unless something in the system is seized and the brake pads are making contact with the drum when the parking brake is disengaged.

 

I do not regularly drive our RDX, but I am on my second Odyssey that has an identical drive train and brakes set up. I have never replaced the rear parking brakes on any Honda?acura I have owned. (I'm on my 10th) I do (and try to get others to as well) use my parking brake anytime I park. Once I come to a stop I shift to N, set the parking brake, take my foot off the brakes so the vehicle settles against the parking brake,
and then shift to Park. When you come back the shifter will come out of Park like butter. I have had to have the parking brake adjusted though. I have a friend who lives in the hills and it is essential (along with my method) there.

 

Thanks, all.

Some additional pieces to the story...

This was an extremely busy summer and some maintenance items for the RDX has popped up that I just couldn't get to (oil and filter change plus diff fluid change). Dropped it with my mechanic and asked him to take care of it (and he did). When I picked it up, he pointed out that the back brakes were pretty much "done" and I should be looking to get them squared away. He went so far as to say "I know you do your brakes, but I wanted to let you know since I saw it when I had the wheels off to rotate them."

Fast forward about a month and things slowed up enough to where I had the time (and the garage space) to tackle the brakes. Picked up the rotors and pads from NAPA, dropped the wife at work, came back home and started in on the job. This is when I discovered the setup using inner shoes for the parking brake and wondered what the "preferred" course was. Put everything back together and came here.

You all helped out with the comments to basically not worry about the parking brake part unless there was clear signs of a problem. Cool. I'll go ahead and do the brakes, then. Driving home one night with my wife and I'm telling her that I'll go ahead and tackle the brakes the next day. As we're pulling up to the driveway, I get the very distinct metal-on-metal sound of a brake wear indicator on one side of the car while I'm slowing to turn into the driveway. I thought it was amusing that the brakes decided to "tell me" that they were in need of replacement literally right after I had committed to my wife to taking care of them the next day.

They're done, and everything has been great for the ~week since I got them swapped out. No squeaks, no squeals, no weird noises, and everything works nicely.

Thanks for the input!

 

I do something similar to not allow my car to rest on the parking gear. Except I don't put it in N. I just come to a complete stop, while holding the brake pedal down, shift to park, then press the E brake. If I'm at any incline/decline, as you say, getting out of park is butter since it's not resting on the parking gear. It's pretty violent getting out of park if you don't do this.. and more so if you're at any incline/decline. That can't be good for the car right? Lol.

 

I replace parts even if they are not broken as part of the preventive maintenance. Of course, I consider their age. Last things I want to happen is a component or part breaks down in the middle of a road trip which will be an expensive pursuit.

I use the parking break all time especially when I have parked on slopped surfaces (like my own driveway). Using the parking brake makes it easier to shift the gear from Park to Reverse. At least that's what I have experienced. But I agree that on flat surfaces using the parking brake has no function.

 

Exactly what I do since my RDX is my first automatic in my 48 years of driving. I would hate to hear that P to D "clunk" when in cars of other people.

I even do the same thing in my Porsche with an Electric Parking Brake even though it is a manual. I let it rest on the brakes.