How to Replace Front Brake Pads and Rotors 01-05 Honda Civic

Difficulty: Advanced · About 90 min · Honda Civic

Replace the front brake pads and rotors on a 2001-2005 Honda Civic, from inspection through bedding in the new pads.

Steps

1. Raise the car and remove the wheel

   Loosen the 19mm lug nuts with the car on the ground, then raise and support the car and pull the wheel.

2. Inspect before replacing anything

   Spin the rotor by hand, check the remaining pad thickness against the wear indicator, and look over both faces of the rotor for gouges.

3. Remove the old pads

   Push the pistons back into the caliper with a screwdriver, remove the two 12mm caliper bolts, swing the caliper aside, then pry the old pads off.

4. Remove the caliper bracket and rotor

   Remove the 17mm bracket bolts and pull the bracket off, then back out the two Phillips retaining screws with a #3 bit and pull the rotor off, threading M8 bolts into its puller holes if it's stuck.

5. Fit the new rotor and bracket

   Slide the new rotor on, tighten its Phillips retaining screws, refit the bracket, and torque its bolts to about 80 ft-lb.

6. Install the new pads

   Compress the piston with a C-clamp against an old pad, grease the pad backs, seat the new pads, refit the caliper, torque its bolts to about 25 ft-lb, then clean the rotor face with brake cleaner before driving.

7. Reinstall the wheel

   Lower the car and torque the lug nuts to about 80 ft-lb in a crossing pattern.

8. Bed the brakes in

   Pump the pedal until firm, test stopping gently at 5 and 10 mph, then road test before driving normally.

Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.