🔧 Kicks - Front Brake Pads & Rotor Replacement

On your Kicks, replacing the front brake pads and rotors means removing the front wheels, taking the caliper off, swapping the rotor, then reinstalling everything with the correct torque. The “correct torque” (tightening force) and bolt sizes matter a lot here for safety and to prevent brake noise or loosening.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal with a caliper removed.
• ⚠️ Avoid breathing brake dust; use brake cleaner, not compressed air.
• ⚠️ Hang the caliper with a hook; don’t let it dangle by the brake hose.
• ⚠️ Keep grease off rotor/pad friction surfaces.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (pair, rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (3/8" drive)
• Torque wrench (1/2" drive)
• Socket set (metric, 10mm-21mm)
• Ratchet (3/8")
• Ratchet (1/2")
• Open-end wrench set (metric, 10mm-19mm)
• C-clamp (6")
• Brake caliper hanger hook
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Rubber mallet
• Dial indicator with magnetic base (specialty)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front brake pad set - Qty: 1
• Front brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front brake hardware kit (abutment clips) - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease (silicone) - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1
• Medium-strength threadlocker - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the front lug nuts 1/2 turn before lifting (use the breaker bar and your lug socket).
• Turn the steering wheel so the caliper you’re working on faces outward (gives more room).
• Two quick checks so I can give you exact bolt sizes + OEM torque specs:
  • Are your wheel lug nuts a 21mm hex, or a different size?
  • Can you upload a clear photo of the front caliper/bracket bolts (side view), or tell me which socket fits the caliper slide pin bolts and the caliper bracket bolts?
• “Caliper bracket” is the heavy mount behind the caliper.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front end

• Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
• Lift the front at the proper jack point using a floor jack.
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands and give it a shake test.

Step 2: Remove the front wheels

• Remove lug nuts using your lug socket and 1/2" ratchet.
• Set wheels aside.
• Torque to OEM spec will be provided after you confirm lug size/spec.

Step 3: Confirm fastener sizes (so everything stays OEM-correct)

• Test-fit metric sockets from your socket set (metric, 10mm-21mm) onto:
  • The caliper slide pin bolts (smaller bolts).
  • The caliper bracket bolts (larger bolts to the knuckle).
• Once confirmed, I’ll give you the exact torque specs for each fastener on your Kicks.

Step 4: Clean and inspect (while you’re there)

• Spray the area lightly with brake cleaner spray and wipe.
• Check the brake hose for cracks and the caliper for fluid leaks.
• Don’t soak rubber boots with cleaner.

---

✅ After Repair

• After the pads/rotors are installed later, you must pump the brake pedal until it feels firm before driving.
• Perform a careful low-speed test stop in a safe area.
• I’ll give you the correct pad bedding (break-in) procedure once we confirm your pad type.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$450 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$450 by doing it yourself!

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