🔧 Kicks - Front Brake Pad Replacement

You’ll be removing the front wheels, swinging the front brake calipers out of the way, swapping in new pads, and reassembling everything with the correct torque. This restores braking performance and prevents metal-to-metal damage when pads are worn.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and chock the rear wheels.
• ⚠️ Support your Kicks on jack stands—never rely on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful; wear a mask and use brake cleaner (don’t blow dust with compressed air).
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is off the rotor.
• ⚠️ Watch the brake fluid level while compressing the piston; fluid can overflow.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for front pads on your Kicks.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum, pair)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm socket
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (10–200 Nm range)
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8" or 1/2")
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp (6")
• Bungee cord or mechanic wire
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake pad hardware kit (abutment clips) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 🧰 Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 🧰 Loosen the front lug nuts 1/2 turn with a 21mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• 🧰 Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; keep the cap on, but monitor the fluid level during piston compression.
• 🧰 Know your tools: a C-clamp is a screw clamp used to slowly push the caliper piston back in.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift the front and remove the wheels

• Place the floor jack under the front jacking point and lift the front of your Kicks.
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands at the proper support points and gently lower the jack.
• Remove the lug nuts using a 21mm socket and ratchet, then remove both front wheels.

Step 2: Check pad and rotor condition before disassembly

• Look through the caliper to see the pad thickness; uneven wear may indicate stuck slide pins.
• Inspect the rotor surface for deep grooves or heavy rust lips. If rotors are bad, replace them too.

Step 3: Remove the caliper from the bracket

• Turn the steering wheel to give yourself more room on the side you’re working on.
• Remove the lower and upper caliper slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and ratchet.
• Carefully lift the caliper off the rotor. If it’s tight, gently pry with a flathead screwdriver.
• Hang the caliper from the strut spring using a bungee cord or mechanic wire (never let it hang by the brake hose).

Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware clips

• Slide the inner and outer pads out of the bracket by hand.
• Remove the pad hardware/abutment clips from the bracket.
• Clean the bracket pad “tracks” with a wire brush, then spray with brake cleaner and let dry.

Step 5: Service the caliper slide pins

• Pull the slide pins out (one at a time) from the caliper bracket boots.
• Wipe old grease off and apply a thin, even layer of brake caliper grease (silicone).
• Reinsert pins and confirm they move smoothly.

Step 6: Compress the caliper piston

• Place one old brake pad against the piston face.
• Use a C-clamp (6") to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir as you compress; remove a little fluid if it’s near overflowing.

Step 7: Install new hardware clips and new pads

• Install the new abutment clips onto the bracket in the same positions as removed.
• Apply a very thin film of brake caliper grease (silicone) where the pad “ears” contact the clips (do not get grease on pad friction material).
• Install the new inner and outer pads into the bracket.

Step 8: Reinstall the caliper and torque fasteners

• Position the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Install the slide pin bolts by hand first, then tighten using a 14mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• If you removed the caliper bracket (only needed for rotor replacement), tighten bracket bolts using a 17mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 105 Nm (77 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall both front wheels and hand-thread all lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a 21mm socket and torque wrench: Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Pump the brake pedal 8–12 times until it feels firm (this seats the pistons against the new pads).
• ✅ Check brake fluid level and top off only if needed (use the correct DOT rating shown on the reservoir cap).
• ✅ Start the engine and confirm the pedal feel is normal, then test braking at low speed in a safe area.
• ✅ Bed-in procedure: make 6–10 smooth stops from 30–35 mph down to 5 mph, allowing 30 seconds between stops. Avoid hard stops for 200 miles.
• ✅ Recheck for leaks, odd noises, and that both wheels spin freely with no dragging.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $50-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $110-$400 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.

---

🎯 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.