🔧 Juke - Front Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the front wheels, unbolt the front brake calipers, replace the pads, and swap the rotors. New rotors give the pads a flat, clean surface, which helps stopping power and prevents vibration.

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

Assumption: Factory single-piston front calipers; torque specs listed are best-fit service ranges.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🧯 Work on level ground and support the Juke with jack stands (never rely on a jack).
• 🧤 Brake dust is harmful—avoid blowing it with compressed air; use brake cleaner.
• 🔥 Brakes get extremely hot—let everything cool before touching.
• 🧪 Brake fluid can damage paint—wipe spills immediately.
• 🔒 Do not press the brake pedal while the caliper is off the rotor.

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🔧 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 lug socket
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 3/8"
• Torque wrench 1/2"
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• Ratchet 3/8"
• Ratchet 1/2"
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• C-clamp 6"
• Wire hook or bungee cord
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Rubber mallet
• High-temperature brake grease
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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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 - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front brake hardware/clip kit - Qty: 1
• Brake pad wear shims (if not included with pads) - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3 or DOT 4) - Qty: 1 quart
• Brake caliper slide pin boots (if torn) - Qty: 1 set

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🧱 Park on level ground, put the transmission in 1st gear, and chock the rear wheels.
• 🛞 Break the front lug nuts loose 1/2 turn using a 21mm lug socket and breaker bar 1/2" before lifting.
• 🧴 Pop the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level; fluid may rise when you compress the pistons.
• 🪝 Set out a wire hook or bungee cord so you can hang the caliper (never let it dangle by the brake hose).
• 🧰 If using a brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty): it’s a tool that pushes the piston back evenly without cocking it.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the front wheels

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front and place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under safe lift points.
• Remove lug nuts with a 21mm lug socket and ratchet 1/2".

Step 2: Locate the caliper and remove the caliper bolts

• Turn the steering to give yourself room.
• Remove the caliper slide bolts using a 14mm socket and ratchet 3/8".
• Lift the caliper off and hang it using a wire hook or bungee cord.
• Tip: Don’t twist the rubber brake hose.

Step 3: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the brake pads out of the bracket by hand; use a flat-blade screwdriver gently if stuck.
• Remove the pad abutment clips (hardware) from the bracket.
• Clean the bracket pad “tracks” with a wire brush and brake cleaner spray.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Remove the bracket bolts using a 17mm socket or 19mm socket with a breaker bar 1/2".
• Set the bracket aside.
• During reassembly: Torque to 95-115 Nm (70-85 ft-lbs) (caliper bracket bolts).

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• Spray the rotor-to-hub area with brake cleaner spray.
• If the rotor is stuck, tap the rotor hat with a rubber mallet to break it loose.
• Clean the hub face until shiny using a wire brush (this helps prevent brake shake).

Step 6: Install the new rotor

• Clean the new rotor friction surfaces with brake cleaner spray (removes shipping oil).
• Place the rotor on the hub and hold it in place with 1-2 lug nuts hand-tight (use the old lug nuts by hand only).

Step 7: Service slide pins and reinstall the caliper bracket

• Pull the slide pins out of the bracket and wipe them clean (they should move smoothly).
• Apply a thin coat of high-temperature brake grease to the slide pin (not on threads).
• Reinstall the bracket bolts using a 17mm socket or 19mm socket and ratchet 1/2".
• Torque to 95-115 Nm (70-85 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Install new pad hardware and pads

• Install new abutment clips from the hardware kit into the bracket.
• Apply a very small amount of high-temperature brake grease where the pad ears touch the clips.
• Install the new pads into the bracket.
• Tip: Keep grease off pad and rotor surfaces.

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Before compressing, check the reservoir level under the hood so it doesn’t overflow.
• Use a brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty) or C-clamp 6" to slowly press the piston back in.
• Go slowly and keep it straight; if it binds, stop and reset.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper over the new pads/rotor.
• Install slide bolts using a 14mm socket and ratchet 3/8".
• Torque to 22-30 Nm (16-22 ft-lbs) (caliper slide bolts).

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall the wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts.
• Lower the Juke and torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench 1/2".
• Torque to 110-115 Nm (81-85 ft-lbs) (lug nuts).

Step 12: Restore pedal feel

• With the engine OFF, press the brake pedal 10-15 times until it feels firm.
• Recheck brake fluid level and top off with Brake fluid (DOT 3 or DOT 4) if needed.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Test in the driveway: hold the brake pedal firmly for 30 seconds; it should not sink.
• 🛣️ Road test at low speed first; verify no pulling, grinding, or vibration.
• 🧯 Bedding-in (common pad procedure): make 6-8 moderate stops from 40→10 mph, then drive 5-10 minutes without heavy braking to cool.
• 🔍 Recheck for leaks, and recheck lug torque after 50-100 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $180-$450 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$400 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.