🔧 Front Brakes & Rotors - Replacement

Your front pads and rotors wear together, so replacing both at the same time helps restore smooth stopping and prevents brake shake. On your Accord, this is a standard front brake job, but the caliper must be supported and all fasteners torqued correctly.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on level ground and chock the rear wheels.
• Use jack stands. Do not work under a car supported only by a jack.
• Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• Support the caliper so the brake hose is not stretched.
• Brake dust is harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
• No battery disconnect is required.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for vehicle weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 12mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or mechanic's wire
• C-clamp or disc brake piston compressor
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Microfiber towels
• 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 rotors - Qty: 2
• Brake hardware clips - Qty: 1 set
• Brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels.
• Break the front lug nuts loose before lifting the car.
• Have the new pads and rotors ready.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the front lug nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen each front lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Raise and secure the vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift the front end at a safe lift point.
• Set the car on jack stands and lower it carefully onto them.
• Remove both front wheels with the 21mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use a 12mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang it with a bungee cord or mechanic's wire.

Step 4: Remove the brake pads

• Pull the old pads out of the caliper bracket.
• If they are stuck, use a flat blade screwdriver carefully.
• Remove the old hardware clips from the bracket.

Step 5: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 19mm socket to remove the two bracket bolts.
• Remove the bracket from the knuckle.
• Torque on installation: 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs)

Step 6: Remove the rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it is stuck, use a flat blade screwdriver through the service hole if needed.
• If necessary, tap the rotor lightly from the back side.

Step 7: Clean the hub

• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the hub face.
• Spray the hub with brake cleaner and wipe it dry.
• Clean hub = smoother rotor fit.

Step 8: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor with brake cleaner before installing.
• Slide the rotor onto the hub.
• If equipped, reinstall the rotor retaining screw.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Install the bracket with a 19mm socket.
• Start both bolts by hand first.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs)

Step 10: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp or disc brake piston compressor to push the piston back in slowly.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir so it does not overflow.
• Go slow to protect the seal.

Step 11: Install the new pads

• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad ears and contact points only.
• Install the pads into the bracket with the friction material facing the rotor.
• Make sure the pads sit fully in the clips.

Step 12: Reinstall the caliper

• Slide the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts with a 12mm socket.
• Torque to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs)

Step 13: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the car to the ground.
• Use a 21mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs)

Step 14: Repeat on the other side

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

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Make sure the wheels spin freely without rubbing.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• Avoid hard stops for the first 200 miles to bed in the pads.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$500 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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