🔧 Front Brake Pads - Replacement

Replacing the front brake pads on your Accord means removing the front caliper, installing new pads and hardware, then reassembling everything with the correct lubrication and torque. This job is very doable at home, but brake work must be clean and precise.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a cool brake system. Rotors and calipers can stay hot after driving.
• Use jack stands. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.
• Do not press the brake pedal while the caliper is removed.
• Keep grease and brake fluid off the pad friction surface and rotor face.
• If the brake fluid reservoir is full, watch it closely while pushing the caliper piston back.
• Your Accord does not need electronic parking brake service mode for front pads.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (pair, rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 14mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord or mechanic's wire
• Brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Shop towels
• High-temperature 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 grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground.
• Set the parking brake.
• Put the transmission in gear and chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts before lifting the car.
• Keep the ignition off while you work.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen and lift the front of the car

• Use a 19mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the front wheel lug nuts about one turn each.
• Use a floor jack to lift the front of the car at the proper lift point.
• Support the car with jack stands at the correct front support points.
• Remove the lug nuts and take off the wheel.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 14mm socket to remove the caliper slide pin bolts.
• Carefully lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Hang the caliper with a bungee cord or mechanic's wire. Do not let it hang from the brake hose.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Slide the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the pad springs, shims, and clips if included in your new kit.
• Use a wire brush to clean rust from the pad contact points.
• Use brake cleaner and shop towels to clean the bracket area.

Step 4: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a brake caliper piston compression tool (specialty) to push the piston all the way back into the caliper.
• Go slowly and keep the piston straight.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir as you compress the piston.
• Slow pressure prevents damage.

Step 5: Install the new hardware and pads

• Install the new clips and hardware from the pad kit.
• Apply a thin layer of high-temperature brake grease to the pad ears and contact points only.
• Install the new front brake pads into the bracket.
• Make sure the pads move freely without binding.

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper

• Set the caliper back over the new pads.
• Use a 14mm socket to reinstall the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).
• Tighten by hand first.

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel

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

Step 8: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the pads on the opposite front wheel the same way.
• Replace in pairs so braking stays even.

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before driving until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level.
• Test the brakes at very low speed first.
• Listen for rubbing, scraping, or warning lights.
• New pads need a break-in period. Avoid hard stops for the first 200 miles if possible.

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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 1.5-2.0 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.