🔧 Kicks - Front Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement

This repair replaces the front brake pads and front brake rotors on your Kicks. The pads create the friction that stops the vehicle, and the rotors are the metal discs the pads clamp onto.

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 Kicks with jack stands.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and gloves. Brake dust and rust particles can irritate your eyes and skin.
• 🔥 Let the brakes cool fully before starting. Rotors and calipers can stay hot after driving.
• 🛑 Do not press the brake pedal while a caliper is removed. This can push the piston out of the caliper.
• 🧪 Avoid breathing brake dust. Use brake cleaner, not compressed air, to clean brake parts.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this front brake job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 21mm lug nut socket
• 14mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty)
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Bungee cord
• Brake cleaner aerosol can
• Catch pan
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• 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 - Qty: 1
• Brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Kicks on level ground, shift to Park, and apply the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels so the vehicle cannot roll.
• 🧰 A caliper is the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor.
• 🧰 A rotor is the round metal disc behind the wheel.
• 🧰 A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct tightness so they are not too loose or too tight.
• 📱 No infotainment menu or scan-tool brake service mode is required for the front brakes on your Kicks.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each front wheel lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still on the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front of the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the front of your Kicks at the front center jacking point or approved front side pinch weld point.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the approved front pinch weld support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to make sure it is stable before working near the brakes.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and set them flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Look at the caliper, brake hose, pads, and rotor before taking anything apart.
• Use the brake cleaner aerosol can and catch pan to rinse heavy brake dust from the area.
• Check that the brake hose is not cracked, twisted, or leaking.

Step 5: Remove the Caliper Slide Pin Bolts

• Turn the steering wheel slightly to give yourself better access to the caliper bolts on the side you are working on.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the two caliper slide pin bolts.
• Slide pin bolts hold the moving part of the caliper to the caliper bracket.
• Save the bolts if your new hardware kit does not include replacements.

Step 6: Lift Off and Support the Caliper

• Use the flathead screwdriver to gently wiggle the caliper away from the rotor if it feels stuck.
• Lift the caliper off the brake pads.
• Use the 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 and Hardware

• Pull the old brake pads out of the caliper bracket by hand.
• Use the flathead screwdriver to remove the old metal pad clips from the caliper bracket.
• Pad clips are thin metal guides that let the brake pads slide smoothly.
• Note the position of any wear indicator tabs before removing the pads.

Step 8: Remove the Caliper Bracket

• Use the 19mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to remove the two caliper bracket bolts.
• The caliper bracket is the larger metal mount that surrounds the rotor.
• Remove the caliper bracket and set it on a clean surface.

Step 9: Remove the Old Rotor

• Pull the old rotor straight off the hub by hand.
• If the rotor is stuck from rust, use the rubber mallet to tap the rotor hat area between the wheel studs.
• Do not hit the wheel studs with the mallet.
• Rust can hold rotors tightly.

Step 10: Clean the Hub Face

• Use the wire brush to clean rust and debris from the wheel hub face.
• The hub face is the flat surface the rotor sits against.
• Use the brake cleaner aerosol can and catch pan to rinse the hub clean.
• This helps prevent brake vibration after the repair.

Step 11: Install the New Rotor

• Use the brake cleaner aerosol can and catch pan to clean both sides of the new rotor.
• Slide the new rotor onto the hub.
• Thread one lug nut on by hand to hold the rotor flat while you finish the brake assembly.

Step 12: Clean and Prepare the Caliper Bracket

• Use the wire brush to clean the pad clip contact areas on the caliper bracket.
• Install the new pad clips from the front brake hardware kit by hand.
• Apply a very thin layer of brake lubricant to the areas where the pad ears slide in the clips.
• Do not get lubricant on the rotor or pad friction material.

Step 13: Reinstall the Caliper Bracket

• Place the caliper bracket over the new rotor.
• Start both caliper bracket bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 19mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the caliper bracket bolts.
• Torque to 109 Nm (80 ft-lbs)

Step 14: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Open the hood and check the brake fluid level in the reservoir.
• If it is near the top, remove a small amount with a clean suitable suction tool before compressing the piston.
• Use the brake caliper piston compressor tool (specialty) to slowly push the caliper piston fully back into the caliper.
• The piston is the round part inside the caliper that pushes the brake pad.
• Compress it slowly so brake fluid does not overflow from the reservoir.

Step 15: Install the New Brake Pads

• Apply a thin layer of brake lubricant to the metal backing plate contact points only.
• Install the new brake pads into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Make sure the friction material faces the rotor.
• If one pad has a wear indicator, place it in the same general position as the original pad.

Step 16: Reinstall the Caliper

• Remove the bungee cord and lower the caliper over the new pads.
• Start both slide pin bolts by hand.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the slide pin bolts.
• Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs)

Step 17: Repeat on the Other Front Side

• Use the same tools and repeat Steps 4 through 16 on the opposite 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.
• Install each wheel by hand.
• Use the 21mm 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 2-ton minimum to lift the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower your Kicks until the tires touch the ground.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs)

Step 20: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before moving the vehicle, press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back into position against the new pads.
• Check the brake fluid level and top off only if needed with the correct brake fluid listed on the reservoir cap.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Kicks and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm, not sink to the floor.
• 🔍 Check around both front calipers for leaks or loose parts.
• 🛞 Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive using the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench.
• 🧪 Do a slow parking-lot brake test before normal driving.
• 🔥 Bed in the new pads and rotors if the pad manufacturer requires it. A common method is several moderate stops from about 30-40 mph, allowing cooling time between stops.
• 🚫 Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles unless it is an emergency.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$260 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$390 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 hours.

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