🔧 Accord - Front Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the front wheels, take off the brake caliper and bracket, replace the pads, and swap the rotor. Worn pads/rotors reduce stopping power and can cause vibration, noise, or longer stopping distances.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• 🛑 Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• 🛑 Brake dust is unhealthy—wear a dust mask and avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• 🛑 Brake fluid can damage paint—wipe spills immediately.
• 🛑 Let brakes cool before starting; parts can be very hot.
• 🛑 Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Dust mask
• Breaker bar (1/2-inch drive)
• Torque wrench (1/2-inch drive)
• 19mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8-inch drive)
• Ratchet (1/2-inch drive)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver #3
• Brake caliper piston tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray
• Drain pan

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake rotors - Qty: 2 Replace in pairs
• Front brake hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake quiet / anti-squeal compound - Qty: 1
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 quart

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn using a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir. Plan to watch the fluid level when compressing pistons so it doesn’t overflow.
• Lay out new pads/rotors/hardware. Spray new rotors with brake cleaner spray to remove protective oil.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front end

• Use a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift the front at the proper front jacking point.
• Set the car on jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Remove the wheels using a 19mm socket.

Step 2: Inspect and prep the caliper

• Turn the steering wheel to give yourself room (left for right side, right for left side).
• Check the rubber brake hose for cracks and leaks.
• Place a drain pan under the work area in case of cleaner/fluid drips.

Step 3: Remove the brake caliper

• Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts using a 12mm socket and ratchet (3/8-inch drive).
• Carefully lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper from the suspension using a bungee cord. Never let it hang by the hose.

Step 4: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Slide the pads out of the bracket by hand; use a flat-blade screwdriver gently if stuck.
• Remove the stainless hardware clips from the bracket.
• Clean the bracket pad “rails” (where clips sit) using brake cleaner spray and a wire brush.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Remove the two caliper bracket bolts using a 17mm socket and breaker bar (1/2-inch drive).
• Set the bracket aside.
• During reassembly: Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• If your rotor has retaining screws, remove them with a Phillips screwdriver #3. Press hard to avoid stripping.
• Pull the rotor straight off. If stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet to break rust loose.
• Clean the wheel hub face using a wire brush and brake cleaner spray so the new rotor sits flat.

Step 7: Install the new rotor

• Spray both rotor faces with brake cleaner spray and wipe clean.
• Install the rotor onto the hub.
• If you have rotor screws, reinstall them using a Phillips screwdriver #3 (snug only).

Step 8: Reinstall the bracket with new hardware clips

• Install the new hardware clips onto the bracket.
• Reinstall the bracket using a 17mm socket and ratchet (1/2-inch drive).
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Service slide pins (important for even braking)

• Pull the slide pins out of the bracket by hand.
• Wipe them clean, then apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone).
• Reinsert pins and make sure they move smoothly.
• Slide pins are the “guide rods” the caliper glides on.

Step 10: Install the new pads

• Apply a thin layer of brake quiet / anti-squeal compound to the pad backing plates (not the friction material).
• Install the inner and outer pads into the bracket by hand.

Step 11: Compress the caliper piston

• Check the brake fluid reservoir level first; remove some fluid with a clean towel if it’s near “MAX.”
• Use a brake caliper piston tool (specialty) to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
• Go slow so fluid doesn’t overflow.

Step 12: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the two slide pin bolts using a 12mm socket and ratchet (3/8-inch drive).
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Reinstall wheels

• Reinstall the wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the car off the stands using the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench (1/2-inch drive) and 19mm socket.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Restore pedal feel and check fluid

• Before moving the car, pump the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed.
• Look for leaks around both front calipers.

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✅ After Repair

• Test at low speed first: confirm normal stopping, no pulling, no grinding.
• Bed-in (break-in) the pads and rotors: make 8–10 moderate stops from 40 mph down to 10 mph, with 30 seconds between stops, then drive 5–10 minutes to cool.
• Re-check lug nut torque after 25–50 miles using a torque wrench (1/2-inch drive).
• If the pedal feels spongy, you may need a brake bleed (air in system).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $160-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$550 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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