🔧 Front Brake Pads and Rotors - Replacement

Your front brake pads and rotors wear together, so replacing them as a set restores braking power and helps prevent noise, vibration, and pulling. On your CR-V, the job is straightforward, but you need to support the vehicle safely and torque everything correctly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and keep the transmission in P with the parking brake engaged.
• Use jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
• Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• Support the caliper with a hanger or wire so the hose is not stretched.
• If a brake hose or caliper is damaged, replace it before driving.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 14mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Bungee cord or mechanic’s wire
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake rotor - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If it is already full, do not force the caliper pistons back too fast.
• Have the new pads, rotors, and hardware ready before removing the first side.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the front wheels

• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the front lug nuts about one turn each.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Raise and secure the vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift the front of the vehicle at the proper front lift point.
• Place jack stands under the front support points and lower the vehicle onto them.
• Remove the front wheels with the 19mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the brake caliper

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and hang it with bungee cord or mechanic’s wire.
• Do not let the hose carry the weight.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 17mm socket to remove the caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Torque spec on installation: 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs)

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• Remove the rotor retaining screw if equipped using a Phillips screwdriver or impact driver.
• Pull the rotor off the hub.
• If stuck, tap the rotor hat area lightly with a rubber mallet.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and brake cleaner.

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Spray the new rotor with brake cleaner and wipe it dry.
• Install the rotor on the hub.
• Reinstall the rotor retaining screw if used.
• Clean the rotor before assembly.

Step 7: Install the caliper bracket

• Reinstall the bracket using the 17mm socket.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Install new pads and hardware

• Remove the old pad clips and install the new brake hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the slide pins and pad contact points only.
• Install the new brake pads in the bracket.
• Do not get grease on pad friction material.

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
• Make sure the old pad or a flat block is against the piston face while compressing it.
• Stop if the brake fluid reservoir starts to overflow.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper

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

Step 11: Reinstall the wheel

• Mount the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts with the 19mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands with the floor jack.
• Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the other side

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

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✅ After Repair

• Before moving the vehicle, pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed first.
• Listen for rubbing or clicking noises.
• Bed the brakes in gently for the first 200 miles: avoid hard stops unless needed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $140-$280 (parts only)

You Save: $210-$370 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 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.