🔧 Kona - Front Brake Pad Replacement

You’ll remove the front calipers, swap in new pads, and reassemble with proper lubrication and torque. This restores braking performance and prevents uneven wear and noise.

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

Quick check (so I can give you exact factory torque specs):

• ❓ Are your wheels 18-inch or 16/17-inch?
• ❓ Do you have OEM (stock) front calipers/rotors, or any aftermarket brake kit?

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Work on level ground and use jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• 🧤 Brake dust is irritating—wear gloves and a dust mask; avoid blowing dust with compressed air.
• 🔥 Brakes can be hot—let everything cool before touching calipers/rotors.
• 🚫 Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• 🧪 Keep brake fluid off paint; it damages finishes.

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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
• Lug nut socket (21mm)
• Breaker bar (1/2-inch drive)
• Torque wrench (10–200 Nm range)
• Ratchet (3/8-inch drive)
• Socket set (10mm–19mm)
• Wrench set (10mm–19mm)
• C-clamp (6-inch)
• Disc brake piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Trim hook pick
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Bungee cord
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone-based) - Qty: 1
• Brake anti-squeal compound - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Kona on level ground and shift to P.
• Apply the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Open the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir; keep the cap loosely set on top (don’t remove it fully unless needed).
• Check brake fluid level now—when you compress the pistons, the level can rise.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen lug nuts and lift the front

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and breaker bar to loosen the front wheel lug nuts about 1/2 turn.
• Use a floor jack to lift the front, then support with jack stands.
• Remove the lug nuts with the 21mm lug nut socket and remove the wheel.
• Reinstall later: Torque to TBD Nm (TBD ft-lbs) (I’ll give exact spec after your wheel-size reply).

Step 2: Inspect the caliper and identify bolts

• Look at the front caliper: it’s a floating caliper with two slide pin bolts (top and bottom).
• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently pry the caliper outward a few mm to create a little pad clearance.
• Tip: Pry on the old pad, not the rotor.

Step 3: Remove the caliper

• Use a ratchet with the correct socket (commonly 14mm) to remove the upper and lower slide pin bolts.
• Lift the caliper off the bracket.
• Support the caliper with a bungee cord so it hangs from the strut spring—do not let it hang by the brake hose.
• Reinstall later: Torque slide pin bolts to TBD Nm (TBD ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove old pads and hardware

• Pull the old pads out of the bracket by hand.
• Remove the stainless pad clips (hardware) using a flathead screwdriver or trim hook pick.
• Spray the bracket pad lands with brake cleaner spray and scrub with a wire brush until the pad clips sit flat.

Step 5: Compress the caliper piston

• Place an old pad against the piston face.
• Use a C-clamp or disc brake piston compressor tool (specialty) to slowly press the piston fully back into the caliper.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing; if it gets close to the top, remove a little fluid (don’t overflow).
• Tip: Go slow to protect seals.

Step 6: Install new pad hardware and pads

• Install the new stainless pad clips from the pad hardware kit into the bracket by hand.
• Apply a thin film of brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone-based) to the clip contact points only (where the pad “ears” touch).
• Install the new pads into the bracket (inner/outer as designed by the pad set).
• If your new pads include a wear indicator tab, match it to the same side/location as the original setup.

Step 7: Service the slide pins and reinstall the caliper

• Pull each slide pin out one at a time using your hands or a trim hook pick.
• Wipe old grease off, then apply fresh brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone-based) evenly.
• Reinsert the slide pins and confirm they move smoothly.
• Set the caliper over the new pads and align the bolt holes.
• Install the slide pin bolts by hand first, then tighten with a ratchet.
• Final tighten: Torque slide pin bolts to TBD Nm (TBD ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall wheel

• Put the wheel back on and hand-thread the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle with the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench: Torque to TBD Nm (TBD ft-lbs).

Step 9: Repeat on the other front side

• Repeat Steps 1–8 on the other front wheel.
• Tip: Replace pads on both front wheels.

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine off, press the brake pedal slowly 10–15 times until it feels firm.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed.
• Start the engine and confirm the pedal feel is normal (it will sink slightly with brake booster assist).
• Road test at low speed first, then do a careful brake check.
• If your pads specify a bedding procedure, follow the pad maker’s instructions (it reduces squeal and improves bite).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $60-$160 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$290 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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