🔧 Front Brake Pads - Replacement

Your front brake pads wear down over time and need to be replaced in pairs to keep braking even and safe. On your CR-V, this is a straightforward home repair if you work carefully and keep the pad contact points clean.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.5-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Park on level ground and chock the rear wheels.
• Use jack stands. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• Brake dust may be present. Do not use compressed air to clean it.
• Keep grease off the rotor and pad friction surfaces.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 14mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• C-clamp
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake caliper hanger hook (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Brake grease
• 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 hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• Brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Shift into Park.
• Loosen the front lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• Raise the front end and support it securely on jack stands.
• Replace pads on both front wheels at the same time.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the front wheel

• Use a 19mm socket to loosen the lug nuts, then remove the wheel.
• Set the wheel aside flat and out of the work area.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket carefully.
• Hang the caliper with a brake caliper hanger hook (specialty).
• Never let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Pull the old pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the old hardware clips from the bracket.
• If the pads are stuck, use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently work them free.

Step 4: Clean and prep the bracket

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and buildup from the pad contact points.
• Spray the bracket with brake cleaner.
• Install the new hardware clips from the front brake hardware kit.
• Apply a thin film of brake grease only where the pad ears contact the hardware.

Step 5: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp to slowly push the piston back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir under the hood as the piston retracts.
• Move slowly to protect the caliper seal.

Step 6: Install the new pads

• Install the new pads into the bracket the same way the old ones came out.
• Make sure any shims or wear indicators are in the correct position.
• Apply a small amount of brake grease to the pad ears where they slide in the hardware.

Step 7: Reinstall the caliper

• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Install the caliper slide pin bolts with a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle until the tire touches the ground.
• Use a torque wrench with a 19mm socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Repeat for the other side

• Replace the pads on the opposite front wheel the same way.
• Always replace brake pads in pairs.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the vehicle.
• Confirm the pedal feels firm.
• Check brake fluid level and top off if needed.
• Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops unless needed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$310 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 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.