🔧 Front Brakes and Rotors - Replacement

Your front brake pads and rotors wear together, so replacing both restores stopping power and helps prevent noise and vibration. On your hybrid, the brake system can behave differently than a regular gas-only vehicle, so make sure the car is fully off before you start.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Make sure the vehicle is fully OFF and not in READY mode. A hybrid can move unexpectedly if it powers up.
• Chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• Support the vehicle with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle held only by a jack.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air. Use brake cleaner instead.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or mechanic’s wire
• C-clamp or brake piston tool
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Drain pan or catch tray
• Gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Shift to Park and power the vehicle completely OFF.
• Confirm the dash is dark and the hybrid system is not active.
• Loosen the front wheel nuts before lifting the vehicle.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the wheel nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the front wheel nuts 1/4 turn while the tires are still on the ground.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Lift and support the front end

• Use the floor jack to lift the front of the vehicle at the proper lift point.
• Set the vehicle securely on jack stands.
• Remove the front wheels with the 21mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with a bungee cord or mechanic’s wire.
• Torque on reassembly: 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the brake pads and hardware

• Slide the brake pads out of the bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and shims if they are being replaced.
• Use a flat-head screwdriver if the pads are stuck.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 17mm socket and breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Torque on reassembly: 107 Nm (79 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, use a flat-head screwdriver through the access hole to help free it.
• If needed, tap the rotor hat lightly with a rubber mallet.

Step 7: Clean the hub and install the new rotor

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and debris from the hub surface.
• Spray the hub and rotor face with brake cleaner.
• Install the new rotor and make sure it sits flush.
• Clean hub surfaces prevent brake shake.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Reinstall the caliper bracket over the rotor.
• Use the 17mm socket to tighten the bracket bolts.
• Torque to 107 Nm (79 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Prepare the caliper and install the new pads

• Inspect the caliper slide pins and boots.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad contact points and slide areas.
• Install the new pad clips, shims, and brake pads.
• Use only a thin coat of grease.

Step 10: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp or brake piston tool to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid level in the master cylinder so it does not overflow.
• Compress the piston fully before reinstalling the caliper.

Step 11: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Install the slide pin bolts with the 14mm socket.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle to the ground.
• Use the 21mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the wheel nuts in a crisscross pattern.
• Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Repeat on the other side

• Perform the same steps on the opposite front wheel.
• Replace rotors and pads in pairs.

---

✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the vehicle. This seats the pads against the rotors.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Start the vehicle and verify the brake warning lights are off.
• Test drive slowly at first and confirm smooth stopping with no pulling or grinding.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard braking unless needed. This helps seat the new pads and rotors.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $180-$380 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$520 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.