How to Replace Front Brakes 09-15 Honda Pilot

Difficulty: Advanced · About 75 min · Honda Pilot

Replace the front brake pads and rotors on a 2009–2015 Honda Pilot by supporting the vehicle, servicing both front sides, and verifying firm pedal operation before driving.

Steps

1. Raise the vehicle and remove the wheel

   Park on level ground, chock the rear wheels, and loosen the front lug nuts slightly. Raise the front at approved lift points, support it on jack stands, then remove the wheel and set it aside.

2. Remove the caliper and brake pads

   Remove the caliper guide bolts and lift the caliper off the rotor. Support it with a bungee cord without straining the brake hose, then remove the pad retaining pins and old pads. Do not let the caliper hang by its hose.

3. Remove the caliper bracket and rotor

   Remove the bracket bolts and lift the bracket away. Remove the rotor retaining screw and slide the rotor off the hub; use a suitable method to free a stuck rotor without striking the hub or damaging nearby components.

4. Prepare and install the new rotor

   Clean the hub face with a wire brush and remove protective residue from the new rotor with brake cleaner. Install the rotor and bracket, start all fasteners by hand, and tighten the bracket hardware to the vehicle's specification.

5. Install the new pads and caliper

   Clean and lubricate the caliper slide points with brake-compatible grease. Retract the caliper pistons evenly with a clamp and an old pad, then fit the new pads and retaining pins. Reinstall the caliper and tighten its guide bolts to the vehicle's specification.

6. Reinstall the wheel and bed the brakes

   Mount the wheel and start the lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to the vehicle's specification. Before moving, pump the brake pedal until firm, check the fluid level, then test the brakes gently at low speed in a safe area.

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