🔧 Trax - Front Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll be removing the front wheels, swapping the front brake pads, and replacing the front rotors. This restores braking performance and fixes issues like vibration (warped rotors) or squealing/grinding (worn pads).

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support your Trax with jack stands on solid ground; never rely on a jack alone.
• 🔥 Brakes get extremely hot; let everything cool before touching rotors/calipers.
• 🧤 Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed; the piston can pop out.
• 🧪 Avoid inhaling brake dust; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• 🧴 Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing the piston; fluid can overflow and damage paint.

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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
• 19mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10-200 Nm range)
• 14mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Torx T30 bit
• C-clamp (6")
• Bungee cord
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray
• Disposable 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 - Qty: 2
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1 bottle

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the engine off, and set the parking brake.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; keep the cap sitting loosely on top.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle (do not remove them yet).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the front wheels

• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Use a floor jack to lift the front and support with jack stands.
• Remove lug nuts using a 19mm socket and take off both front wheels.

Step 2: Remove the front brake caliper

• Turn the steering wheel to give yourself room to work on the caliper.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8" ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket, then hang it from the strut using a bungee cord.
• Never let the caliper hang by the hose.

Step 3: Remove the pads and caliper bracket

• Slide the old brake pads out of the bracket.
• Use an 18mm socket and breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket.

Step 4: Remove the old rotor

• If equipped with a rotor retaining screw, remove it using a Torx T30 bit.
• Pull the rotor off. If it’s stuck, tap around the rotor “hat” with a rubber mallet.
• Clean the hub face with a wire brush and spray with brake cleaner so the new rotor sits flat.

Step 5: Install the new rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner to remove packing oil.
• Place the new rotor onto the hub.
• If equipped, install the retaining screw with a Torx T30 bit and Torque to 8 Nm (71 in-lbs).

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper bracket

• Position the bracket over the new rotor.
• Install the two bracket bolts using an 18mm socket.
• Torque to 125 Nm (92 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Compress the caliper piston

• Place an old brake pad against the caliper piston face.
• Use a C-clamp (6") to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir level as you compress; remove fluid if it approaches the top.
• Go slow to avoid damaging the caliper.

Step 8: Install new hardware and pads

• Install the new pad clips/hardware onto the bracket (from your brake hardware kit).
• Apply a thin film of brake caliper grease (silicone) where the pad “ears” contact the clips.
• Slide the new pads into place in the bracket.

Step 9: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall the wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Trax off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench and 19mm socket.
• Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine off, pump the brake pedal 10–15 times until it feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 only if needed.
• Start the engine and confirm the pedal stays firm.
• Do a low-speed test in a safe area; confirm no pulling, grinding, or warning lights.
• Pad/rotor break-in: do 6–10 moderate stops from 35–5 mph, with cool-down driving between stops.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$750 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $160-$320 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$430 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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