🔧 RX - Front Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

You’ll remove the front wheels, take off the caliper and bracket, replace the rotors, then install new pads and hardware. This restores safe stopping power and fixes vibration/pulsation caused by worn or warped rotors.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

Assumption: OE-style front sliding calipers (most RX setups).

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the RX with jack stands before going under or removing wheels.
• ⚠️ Do not breathe brake dust; use brake cleaner and let parts drip dry.
• ⚠️ Never let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose; support it with a hanger.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid damages paint; keep rags handy and clean spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Keep grease off pad/rotor friction surfaces; it will ruin braking.

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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
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar (1/2" drive)
• Torque wrench (10-200 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set (10mm-22mm, 3/8" and 1/2" drive)
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Flathead screwdriver
• C-clamp (6" minimum) or disc brake piston tool (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Bungee cord or mechanic’s wire
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray
• Catch pan
• Shop rags
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake rotors - Qty: 2
• Front brake hardware kit (clips/shims) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2
• Brake fluid (DOT 3) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, put the shifter in Park, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Loosen front lug nuts 1/2 turn using a 21mm lug nut socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level; it may rise when compressing pistons. Remove some fluid if near MAX.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front end

• Use a floor jack to lift the front at the proper front jacking point.
• Set the RX down onto jack stands under solid frame/support points.
• Give the vehicle a firm push to confirm it’s stable before removing wheels.

Step 2: Remove the front wheels

• Remove lug nuts using a 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet.
• Remove the wheel and slide it under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 3: Locate the caliper, pads, and bracket

• Turn the steering knuckle by hand (or turn the steering wheel slightly) to improve access to the caliper bolts.
• Identify the caliper (the clamp that squeezes the pads) and the caliper bracket (the mount holding the pads).

Step 4: Remove the caliper (do not disconnect the brake hose)

• Remove the caliper slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and ratchet.
• Carefully lift the caliper off the bracket using a flathead screwdriver if needed to gently pry.
• Hang the caliper from the strut spring using a bungee cord or mechanic’s wire.
• When reinstalling, tighten the slide pin bolts to Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the pads and hardware

• Pull the brake pads out by hand. Use a flathead screwdriver if they’re stuck.
• Remove the pad hardware clips from the bracket using needle-nose pliers or a flathead screwdriver.
• Clean the bracket pad “lands” (where clips sit) using a wire brush and brake cleaner spray.

Step 6: Remove the caliper bracket

• Remove the caliper bracket bolts using a 17mm socket or 19mm socket with a breaker bar (bolt head size can vary).
• Remove the bracket and set it aside.
• When reinstalling, tighten the bracket bolts to Torque to 167 Nm (123 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Remove the rotor

• If the rotor is stuck, spray the hub/rotor center with brake cleaner spray and let it soak.
• Tap around the rotor “hat” (the raised center) using a rubber mallet to break it loose.
• Remove the rotor.

Step 8: Clean the hub face and install the new rotor

• Clean rust from the hub face using a wire brush. A clean hub helps prevent brake vibration.
• Clean the new rotor friction surfaces with brake cleaner spray and shop rags (remove packing oil).
• Install the new rotor onto the hub.
• To hold the rotor flat while you work, thread on 1-2 lug nuts by hand using the 21mm lug nut socket (snug only).

Step 9: Service the slide pins (important)

• Pull the caliper slide pins out of the bracket by hand (they slide out like a finger from a glove).
• Wipe old grease off using shop rags and spray with brake cleaner spray if needed.
• Apply a thin coat of brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) and reinstall pins so they move smoothly.

Step 10: Reinstall the caliper bracket and new hardware

• Reinstall the bracket using the 17mm socket or 19mm socket and torque wrench.
• Tighten to Torque to 167 Nm (123 ft-lbs).
• Install the new hardware clips onto the bracket by hand (press until fully seated).

Step 11: Compress the caliper piston

• Place an old brake pad against the piston face.
• Use a C-clamp (6" minimum) to slowly compress the piston until it’s fully seated.
• Check the brake fluid reservoir while compressing; remove excess with a rag if it starts to overflow.
• Go slow—fast compression can damage seals.

Step 12: Install new pads and reinstall the caliper

• Install the new pads into the bracket by hand (match inner/outer orientation as removed).
• Lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Install and tighten slide pin bolts using a 14mm socket and torque wrench.
• Tighten to Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Reinstall wheels

• Reinstall the wheel and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the RX off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench and 21mm lug nut socket.
• Tighten to Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Repeat on the other front side

• Repeat the full procedure on the other front wheel.
• Do one side at a time to avoid mixing parts.

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✅ After Repair

• Pump the brake pedal 10-15 times before driving until it feels firm. This seats the pads against the rotors.
• Check brake fluid level and top off with DOT 3 if needed.
• Check for leaks around the calipers and for any unusual noises on the first short test drive.
• Bed-in (break-in) the pads: make 8-10 moderate stops from ~40 mph down to ~10 mph, allowing 30-60 seconds between stops. Avoid hard stops for the first 200 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $550-$950 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$380 (parts only)

You Save: $370-$570 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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