🔧 Edge - Front Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the front brake pads and front brake rotors on your Edge. New pads and rotors restore braking performance, reduce vibration, and help prevent noise from worn or uneven brake surfaces.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface and never rely on a jack alone. Always support your Edge with jack stands.
• ⚠️ Front brakes do not require Electronic Parking Brake service mode, but keep the parking brake released while working on the front wheels.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it off with compressed air. Use brake cleaner and a drain pan.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint. Cover nearby painted surfaces and wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ If the brake pedal feels soft after repair, do not drive until the brake system is checked.

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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
• 19mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 13mm socket
• 18mm socket
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Bungee cord
• Wire brush
• Brake cleaner spray
• Drain pan
• Shop towels
• 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 brake rotors - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake parts cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Edge on level ground, shift to Park, and turn the ignition off.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Wheel chocks are blocks that stop the vehicle from rolling.
• 🧤 Put on safety glasses, gloves, and a dust mask before opening the brake area.
• 🛞 Slightly loosen the front lug nuts before lifting the vehicle. Do not remove them yet.
• 🧪 Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir level. If it is very full, remove a small amount with a clean suction tool before compressing the calipers.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each front lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still touching the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Tip: Loosen, do not remove yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum at the front jacking point to lift your Edge.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the approved front support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Lightly shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before working underneath or around the wheels.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and place them flat under the vehicle as an added safety backup.

Step 4: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Look at the brake caliper, pads, rotor, rubber brake hose, and caliper bracket before removing anything.
• The caliper is the clamp-shaped part that squeezes the pads against the rotor.
• The rotor is the large round metal disc behind the wheel.
• Use brake cleaner spray and a drain pan to wet down dust before cleaning.

Step 5: Remove the Caliper Slide Bolts

• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the two front caliper slide bolts.
• Slide bolts allow the caliper to move evenly as the pads wear.
• Do not disconnect the brake hose.

Step 6: Lift Off and Support the Caliper

• Use a flathead screwdriver gently between the old pad and rotor to create a little space if the caliper is tight.
• Lift the caliper off the rotor by hand.
• Use a bungee cord to hang the caliper from the strut spring or suspension area.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads

• Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use a flathead screwdriver only if the pads are stuck.
• Note the pad position before removal so the new pads go in the same way.

Step 8: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use an 18mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• Remove the caliper bracket from the steering knuckle.
• The steering knuckle is the heavy metal part that the brake and wheel hub attach to.

Step 9: Remove the Old Rotor

• Pull the old rotor straight off the wheel hub by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck from rust, tap around the rotor hat gently with the handle end of a tool while pulling outward.
• Do not strike the wheel studs.

Step 10: Clean the Hub Face

• Use a wire brush to clean rust and scale from the wheel hub face.
• Use brake cleaner spray, shop towels, and a drain pan to clean the area.
• A clean hub helps the new rotor sit flat and prevents brake pedal vibration.
• Tip: Clean until the surface feels smooth.

Step 11: Install the New Rotor

• Spray both sides of the new rotor friction surface with brake cleaner spray and wipe with shop towels.
• Install the new rotor onto the wheel hub by hand.
• Thread one lug nut on by hand using the 19mm lug nut socket to hold the rotor flat while you work.

Step 12: Prepare the Caliper Bracket

• Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the old brake pad hardware clips from the caliper bracket.
• Use a wire brush and brake cleaner spray to clean the areas where the clips sit.
• Install the new hardware clips from the front brake hardware kit by hand.
• Apply a thin layer of brake caliper slide pin lubricant only where the pad ears touch the clips.

Step 13: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Position the caliper bracket over the new rotor.
• Start both bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use an 18mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs)

Step 14: Install the New Brake Pads

• Slide the new brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the pad friction material faces the rotor.
• If your pad set has a wear indicator tab, match its position to the old pad layout.
• The wear indicator is a small metal tab that makes noise when pads get low.

Step 15: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Place one old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use a brake caliper piston compressor tool to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• The piston is the round part inside the caliper that pushes the brake pad.
• Watch the brake fluid reservoir while compressing. Stop if fluid gets close to overflowing.
• Tip: Compress slowly to protect seals.

Step 16: Reinstall the Caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and carefully place the caliper over the new pads and rotor.
• Start both caliper slide bolts by hand.
• Use a 13mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the bolts.
• Use a 13mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to finish tightening.
• Torque to 35 Nm (26 ft-lbs)

Step 17: Repeat on the Other Front Side

• Repeat Steps 5 through 16 on the other front brake.
• Always replace front pads and rotors in pairs so braking stays even.

Step 18: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Remove the temporary lug nut holding each rotor using the 19mm lug nut socket.
• Install each front wheel by hand.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 19: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your Edge until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 204 Nm (150 ft-lbs)

Step 20: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back into position against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the brake pedal feels firm.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid reservoir and top off only if needed with the correct brake fluid listed on the reservoir cap.
• ✅ Start your Edge and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm and steady.
• ✅ Look behind both front wheels for brake fluid leaks before driving.
• ✅ Perform a slow test drive in a safe area. Check that the vehicle stops straight and quietly.
• ✅ Bed in the new brakes by making several moderate stops from about 30-40 mph, allowing cooling time between stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using the 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$750 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$400 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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