🔧 RDX - Front Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the front wheels, unbolt the brake caliper and bracket, replace the pads and rotors, then reassemble with the correct torque. New rotors are recommended when pads are worn or if you feel vibration/pulsation while braking.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat surface; support the RDX with jack stands before going under it.
• ⚠️ Do not breathe brake dust; use brake cleaner and wear a mask.
• ⚠️ Never let the caliper hang by the brake hose; support it with a hanger.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Keep grease/oil off pad and rotor friction surfaces.

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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
• 22mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (30-150 ft-lbs range)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set (12mm, 14mm, 17mm)
• Phillips #3 screwdriver
• Impact driver (specialty)
• C-clamp (6")
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Flat trim tool
• Catch pan
• Brake cleaner spray
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

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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 (replace in pairs)
• Front brake hardware kit (abutment clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• High-temp brake lubricant (pad ears/backing plates) - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 quart

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, wheels straight, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires using wheel chocks.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir. Do not remove it yet, just note the fluid level.
• C-clamp = a screw clamp used to slowly press the caliper piston back in.
• Impact driver = a tool you strike to break loose stubborn screws without stripping them.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen lug nuts and lift the front

• Use a 22mm socket and breaker bar to crack the front lug nuts loose 1/2 turn (do not remove yet).
• Lift the front using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the front jack point.
• Set the RDX onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) and keep the floor jack as a backup support.
• Remove the lug nuts with the 22mm socket and take off both front wheels.

Step 2: Remove the caliper (do not stress the hose)

• Turn the steering wheel to give yourself more room (left for right side, right for left side).
• Use a 12mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the two caliper slide bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket and support it using a brake caliper hanger hook.
• Never hang the caliper by the hose.

Step 3: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the old pads out by hand. If stuck, use a flat trim tool gently.
• Remove the stainless pad clips/abutments from the bracket (these are the “hardware”).
• Clean the bracket pad lands with a wire brush and spray with brake cleaner spray.

Step 4: Remove the caliper bracket

• Use a 17mm socket with a breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket bolts (they’re tight).
• Set the bracket aside.
• On reassembly, Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the rotor

• If your rotor has retaining screws, use a Phillips #3 screwdriver.
• If the screws are stuck, use an impact driver (specialty) to avoid stripping them.
• Pull the rotor off. If it’s stuck, tap around the hat (center area) with a rubber mallet until it pops free.

Step 6: Prep and install the new rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner spray and wipe clean (removes shipping oil).
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush so the rotor sits flat.
• Install the new rotor onto the hub. If you re-use retaining screws, snug them with the Phillips #3 screwdriver (do not over-tighten).

Step 7: Service slide pins and reinstall the bracket

• Pull the slide pins out of the bracket by hand.
• Wipe old grease off, then apply fresh brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone).
• Reinstall the slide pins and make sure they move smoothly.
• Reinstall the caliper bracket and tighten bolts with a 17mm socket.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new abutment clips/hardware into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin film of high-temp brake lubricant where the pad “ears” touch the hardware (metal-to-metal contact points only).
• Slide the new pads into place.
• Keep lube off pad friction material.

Step 9: Compress the caliper piston

• Check the brake fluid reservoir. If it’s near “MAX,” remove a small amount using the catch pan ready underneath (fluid rises when you compress pistons).
• Place an old pad against the piston face, then use the C-clamp (6") to slowly press the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Go slowly and keep the piston straight.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper

• Position the caliper over the new pads and bracket.
• Install the slide bolts using a 12mm socket and 3/8" drive torque wrench.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Put the wheels back on and hand-thread the lug nuts.
• Lower the RDX off the stands using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a 22mm socket and 1/2" drive torque wrench: Torque to 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Restore pedal feel (critical)

• Before driving, pump the brake pedal 10-15 times until it feels firm.
• Recheck the brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 if needed.

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine on, hold the brake pedal firmly for 15 seconds to confirm it does not sink.
• Test at low speed first; confirm no pulling, grinding, or warning lights.
• Bed-in the pads: make 8-10 medium stops from ~40 mph down to ~10 mph, with light driving between stops to cool.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a 22mm socket and 1/2" drive torque wrench: Torque to 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $160-$380 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$520 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?

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.

Assumption: Standard factory front brake setup for your RDX (single-piston front calipers).