🔧 Edge - Front Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll be removing the front wheels, swapping the brake pads, and replacing the front rotors (the flat metal discs the pads squeeze). This restores safe stopping power and fixes pulsation/shaking from warped rotors.

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

Assumption: factory front single-piston calipers and stock-size rotors.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the SUV with jack stands; never rely on a jack.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and gloves; brake dust and rust can irritate eyes/skin.
• 🔥 Brakes get extremely hot; let everything cool fully before starting.
• 🧷 Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose; support it with a hanger/strap.
• 🧴 Brake fluid can overflow when compressing the piston; keep rags handy and don’t spill on paint.
• 🔒 Keep the parking brake on (rear wheels), and chock the rear wheels.

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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 socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (20-250 Nm range)
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• C-clamp or brake caliper piston compressor (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord or mechanics wire
• Brake parts cleaner spray
• Shop rags
• 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 caliper grease (silicone-based) - Qty: 1
• DOT 4 LV brake fluid - Qty: 1 (small bottle for top-off)

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on flat ground, turn the engine off, and keep the steering wheel straight.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind both rear tires.
• Pop the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; check the level now so you can watch for overflow later.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn while the tires are still on the ground using a 21mm socket and breaker bar.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front end

• Lift one front corner with a floor jack at the proper front jacking point.
• Set the vehicle down onto jack stands and gently shake the SUV to confirm it’s stable.
• Remove the wheel using a 21mm socket and ratchet.

Step 2: Remove the caliper (the part that squeezes the pads)

• Turn the steering slightly to give yourself room to work (left side: turn wheel right; right side: turn wheel left).
• Pry the caliper slightly outward with a flat-blade screwdriver to create a little pad clearance.
• Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts using a 13mm socket and ratchet.
• Lift the caliper off and hang it from the strut spring using a bungee cord or mechanics wire.

Step 3: Remove old pads and the caliper bracket

• Slide the old brake pads out by hand.
• Remove the caliper bracket bolts using an 18mm socket and breaker bar.
• Remove the bracket and set it aside.
• If bolts are tight, use steady pressure.

Step 4: Remove the old rotor

• Pull the rotor straight off the hub.
• If it’s rust-stuck, spray the hub area with brake parts cleaner spray, then tap around the rotor hat area (not the wheel studs) using the handle of your breaker bar carefully to break rust loose.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush so the new rotor sits perfectly flat.

Step 5: Install the new rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake parts cleaner spray and wipe with shop rags (removes shipping oil).
• Place the new rotor onto the hub.
• Temporarily hold the rotor tight by installing one lug nut backward by hand (flat side against the rotor).

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper bracket and hardware clips

• Install the caliper bracket and start the bolts by hand.
• Tighten bracket bolts using an 18mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 200 Nm (148 ft-lbs).
• Install the new pad hardware clips (from the hardware kit) onto the bracket by hand.
• Clean and lightly grease the pad contact points on the clips using brake caliper grease.

Step 7: Compress the caliper piston

• Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap under the hood to reduce pressure (leave it sitting on top loosely).
• Use a C-clamp or brake caliper piston compressor (specialty) to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• A piston compressor is a tool that presses the piston in evenly so the thicker new pads fit.
• Watch the reservoir level as you compress; remove a little fluid with a rag if it starts to overflow.

Step 8: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper grease to the caliper slide pins (only the smooth pin area, not the threads).
• Set the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 13mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall wheel and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall the wheel and hand-thread all lug nuts.
• Lower the SUV off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a 21mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 203 Nm (150 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Repeat on the other front side

• Repeat Steps 1-9 for the other front wheel.
• Always do brakes in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine off, press the brake pedal slowly 10-15 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons against the new pads).
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 4 LV brake fluid if needed; reinstall the cap snug.
• Start the engine and confirm the pedal stays firm.
• Test at low speed first. Confirm no pulling, grinding, or warning lights.
• Bed-in (break-in) the pads: make 8-10 medium stops from ~50 km/h to 15 km/h, letting brakes cool 30-60 seconds between stops. Avoid hard stops for the first 200 km.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹12,000-₹25,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹7,000-₹18,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹5,000-₹10,000 by doing it yourself!

Local labor rates vary, but this job is typically ~2-3 hours of shop time.

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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.