To replace the front brake pads on your Civic it couldnt’ be easier. You’ll need to open the hood, lift the vehicle, retract the piston as well as carry out a few other steps. You can carry out this tutorial of 15 chapters in 45 minutes. Take your ratchet and your 12 mm socket and let’s get started!
45 minutes
15
2
$50
Open the brake fluid reservoir
Turn off your vehicle’s ignition, set the parking brake, pull the hood release handle and open the hood.
Open the brake fluid reservoir.
Lift the vehicle
Loosen the stud bolts on the front wheels.
Lift the front of your vehicle. Place the vehicle on the jack stands.
Don’t forget to put the wheels under the vehicle!
Retract the piston
Turn the disc outwards, this will facilitate the following steps.
Insert a flat head screwdriver into the opening of the brake caliper.
Lift it off using the screwdriver as a lever by pulling it towards you. This will cause the piston to retract, so that the caliper can be removed more easily for the next steps.
Remove the brake caliper
With a socket wrench and a 12mm socket, unscrew the lower slide pin. Sometimes you have to keep the locknut from turning by holding it with your fingers or a 21 mm wrench.
Repeat this process with the upper slide pin. Finish unscrewing by hand.
Hang the brake caliper on the strut
Tip: attach a piece of electrical cable, or a hook, to one of the strut spring coils
You can now remove the brake caliper and hand it to the previously installed hook.
Remove the brake pads
Remove the brake pads. You can use a screwdriver to help you.
Using a flat head screwdriver, remove the anti-rattle clips.
Clean the brake caliper mount
Using a wire brush, clean the caliper mount to remove any excess rust that could prevent the pads from sliding.
Install the new anti-rattle clips
Get hold of the anti-rattle clips supplied in the kit.
Place the new anti-rattle clips on the caliper mount.
Place the new brake pads
Grab the new pads, and lightly coat the ends with copper grease to help them slide more easily.
Insert the new pads into the caliper mount by sliding them in.
You need to check the sliding of the brake caliper slide pins and the condition of the Caliper slide pin boots. If they look worn, you are advised to replace them with new ones.
Put the brake caliper back
Grab the brake caliper.
Put the brake caliper back in place and screw in the slide pins, by hand at first.
Screw them in using a socket wrench and a 12mm socket. You can use a 21mm wrench to prevent the bolts from rotating.
Finish tightening using a torque wrench.
Tips
Don’t forget to remove the cable that you used to hold the caliper.
Clean
Clean both sides of the disc with brake cleaner and a cloth to remove the grease from the new pads.
Passenger side
You can now repeat the same process on the other side.
Put the vehicle back on the ground
Then, you will be able to put the wheels back on your vehicle.
Put the car back on the ground and block the wheels properly.
Don’t forget to screw the brake fluid cap back on before starting the car.
Safety tips
Attention! Before using your vehicle again, start your car, and pump the brake pedal a few times to push the brake pads together again.
Try to drive smoothly and avoid sudden braking for the first 30 miles or so, to avoid glazing the new pads.
Operation complete.