🔧 Kicks - Front Brake Pad Replacement

This repair replaces the front disc brake pads on your Kicks. The pads clamp against the front brake rotors to slow the vehicle, so replacing worn pads helps restore safe braking and prevent rotor damage.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, solid surface only. Never rely on a jack alone; use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Brake dust can irritate your lungs. Do not blow it with compressed air; use brake cleaner.
• ⚠️ Brake fluid can damage paint. Wipe spills immediately with a clean rag.
• ⚠️ Front brakes get very hot after driving. Let the brakes cool before starting.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for this front brake pad replacement.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 21mm lug nut socket
• 14mm socket
• Ratchet wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Brake caliper piston compressor (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver medium
• Needle-nose pliers
• Wire brush small
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Brake cleaner aerosol
• Drain pan small
• Clean 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 pad hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Brake caliper slide pin grease - Qty: 1
• DOT 3 brake fluid - Qty: 1 small bottle

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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 both rear wheels. Wheel chocks are wedges that stop the vehicle from rolling.
• 🧪 Open the hood and check the brake fluid reservoir. If it is at the MAX line, remove a little fluid with a clean suction tool before compressing the caliper piston.
• 🧼 Keep brake grease off the pad friction surface and rotor face. The friction surface is the rough pad material that touches the rotor.
• 🔁 Replace front pads as a complete axle set, meaning both left and right front sides.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench or breaker bar to loosen the front lug nuts about half a turn while the tires are still on the ground.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loose first, lift second.

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 pinch weld lift point.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the approved front support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands, then give the vehicle a light shake to confirm it is stable.
• Keep the floor jack lightly touching the lift point as a backup, but do not use it as the main support.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and place them flat under the side of the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use brake cleaner aerosol and a drain pan small to rinse dust from the caliper, pads, and rotor area.
• Look for deep rotor grooves, heavy rust, fluid leaks, or torn rubber slide pin boots.
• The caliper is the clamp-shaped part that holds the brake pads around the rotor.

Step 5: Remove the Lower Caliper Slide Pin Bolt

• Turn the steering wheel slightly toward the side you are working on for better access.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet wrench to remove the lower caliper slide pin bolt.
• A slide pin lets the caliper move smoothly as the pads wear.
• Keep the bolt clean and set it aside.

Step 6: Swing the Caliper Up

• Use the flat-blade screwdriver medium gently between the old pad and rotor to create a little space.
• Lift the caliper upward like a hinged lid.
• Do not let the caliper hang by the rubber brake hose.
• If needed, use needle-nose pliers to help guide any spring clips while lifting.

Step 7: Remove the Old Brake Pads and Hardware

• Use your hands or the flat-blade screwdriver medium to slide the old inner and outer brake pads out of the caliper bracket.
• Remove the old stainless pad hardware clips from the bracket.
• Hardware clips are thin metal guides that help the pads slide quietly and evenly.
• Use the wire brush small to clean the pad contact areas on the caliper bracket.

Step 8: Compress the Caliper Piston

• Check the brake fluid reservoir again before compressing the piston.
• Place an old brake pad against the caliper piston.
• Use the brake caliper piston compressor to slowly push the piston fully back into the caliper.
• A piston is the round metal part that pushes the brake pad when you press the brake pedal.
• Watch the brake fluid level while compressing. Use clean shop rags immediately if any fluid spills.
• Go slow to protect seals.

Step 9: Lubricate the Contact Points

• Apply a very thin layer of brake caliper slide pin grease to the cleaned pad contact points on the bracket.
• Use only a small amount. Too much grease can attract dirt.
• Do not put grease on the rotor face or pad friction material.

Step 10: Install the New Pad Hardware and Pads

• Snap the new front brake pad hardware kit clips into the caliper bracket by hand.
• Slide the new front brake pad set pads into the bracket.
• Make sure each pad moves freely in the hardware clips without binding.
• If the pad has a wear indicator tab, install it in the same general position as the old pad.

Step 11: Lower the Caliper and Tighten the Bolt

• Lower the caliper over the new pads by hand.
• Install the lower caliper slide pin bolt by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the caliper slide pin bolt to Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Repeat on the Other Front Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 11 on the opposite front wheel.
• Use the same 14mm socket, flat-blade screwdriver medium, brake caliper piston compressor, wire brush small, and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench.
• Always finish both front sides before driving.

Step 13: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Put each wheel back onto the hub.
• Install the lug nuts by hand first.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• A star pattern means you tighten across the wheel instead of going around in a circle.

Step 14: 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 the vehicle until the tires touch the ground fully.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Pump the Brake Pedal

• Before starting the engine, press the brake pedal slowly several times until it feels firm.
• This moves the caliper pistons back out against the new pads.
• Do not drive until the pedal feels firm.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Check the brake fluid reservoir and top off with DOT 3 brake fluid if needed. Do not overfill past MAX.
• ✅ Start your Kicks and press the brake pedal again. It should feel firm, not spongy.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area. Confirm the vehicle stops straight and there are no scraping or grinding noises.
• ✅ Bed in the new pads with several gentle stops from about 30 mph to 5 mph. Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles when possible.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive using the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench: Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$380 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$110 (parts only)

You Save: $175-$270 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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