🔧 Front Brake Pads - Replacement

Replace the front brake pads and inspect the rotors, clips, and caliper hardware at the same time. This restores braking performance and helps prevent noise, pulling, and uneven pad wear.

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

Assumption: standard front disc brakes with no electronic parking brake service mode required.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a flat surface and chock the rear wheels before lifting.
• Use jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air.
• Do not press the brake pedal with the caliper removed.
• If the brake fluid reservoir is very full, watch for overflow when compressing the caliper piston.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for vehicle weight)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 17mm lug wrench or socket
• 14mm socket
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• C-clamp
• Brake caliper hanger (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Brake pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1 can
• Brake grease - Qty: 1 tube

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level before compressing the caliper.
• Have the new pads and hardware ready before disassembly.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen and lift the front of the vehicle

• Use a 17mm lug wrench or socket to loosen the front wheel lug nuts about one turn each.
• Lift the front of the vehicle with a floor jack.
• Support it securely with jack stands.
• Remove the wheel and set it aside.

Step 2: Remove the caliper

• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to remove the caliper guide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the rotor.
• Hang the caliper with a brake caliper hanger so the hose is not stretched.

Step 3: Remove the old pads and hardware

• Slide the old pads out of the bracket.
• Remove the pad clips and any anti-rattle hardware.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver if the pads are stuck.
• Clean the bracket contact points with a wire brush and brake cleaner.

Step 4: Compress the caliper piston

• Use a C-clamp to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing.
• Move slowly so the fluid does not spill.

Step 5: Install the new pads and hardware

• Install the new pad clips from the brake pad hardware kit.
• Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the pad ears and contact points only.
• Install the new front brake pads into the bracket.

Step 6: Reinstall the caliper

• Place the caliper back over the new pads.
• Install the guide pin bolts with a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle with the floor jack.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 107 Nm (79 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Pump the brake pedal

• Before driving, pump the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off if needed.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the vehicle and confirm the brake warning lights are off.
• Test the brakes at very low speed first.
• Listen for rubbing or squealing noises.
• For the first 200 miles, avoid hard stops to help the pads bed in properly.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $70-$160 (parts only)

You Save: $180-$290 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.