Brake Pads and Rotors - Front

This procedure covers the replacement of front brake pads and rotors on a 2018-2024 Honda Accord with 1.5L turbo engine, including proper torque specifications and bedding procedures.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front brake pads (set of 4) × 1 — Use OEM Honda or equivalent ceramic pads
• Front brake rotors × 2 — Use OEM specification rotors
• Brake hardware kit (clips and shims) × 1 — Usually included with pad set

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake firmly.
2. Place tire chocks behind rear wheels to prevent rolling.
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is still on ground (do not remove).
4. Remove brake fluid reservoir cap and use turkey baster to remove approximately 1/4 of fluid to prevent overflow when compressing pistons. Dispose of old fluid properly.
5. Lift front of vehicle using floor jack at designated front jacking point and support with jack stands under frame rails.
6. Remove front wheels completely and set aside.
7. Inspect brake system for fluid leaks, damaged brake lines, or worn suspension components before proceeding.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove caliper slide pin bolts
   Locate the two caliper slide pin bolts on the rear of the caliper (17mm hex). Remove the lower bolt completely. Loosen the upper bolt but leave it partially threaded. Pivot the caliper upward on the upper bolt to access the brake pads.
   ⚠Support the caliper to prevent stress on the brake hose. Never let caliper hang by the brake line.
2. 2

   Remove brake pads and support caliper
   Remove the brake pads from the caliper bracket and note the position of any anti-rattle clips or shims. Use wire or bungee cord to hang the caliper from the suspension or chassis, ensuring no tension on the brake hose.
3. 3

   Remove caliper bracket
   Using a 14mm hex socket, remove the two caliper bracket bolts that mount the bracket to the steering knuckle. These bolts are extremely tight (120 Nm). You may need a breaker bar or impact wrench. Remove the caliper bracket completely.
   ⚠These bolts are torqued to 88 lb-ft and may require significant force to remove. Ensure socket is fully seated to avoid rounding.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts97 Nm (71 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove old rotors
   Remove the rotor from the wheel hub. If rotor is stuck due to corrosion, use penetrating oil and tap with a rubber mallet from behind. Some rotors have threaded holes for bolts to push the rotor off the hub. Do not hit the rotor face or braking surface.
5. 5

   Clean hub and prepare surfaces
   Use a wire brush to clean the wheel hub face, removing all rust and corrosion. Clean the hub pilot area where the rotor centers. Spray with brake parts cleaner and wipe dry. Clean the caliper bracket mounting surface on the knuckle.
6. 6

   Install new rotors
   Remove any protective coating from new rotors using brake parts cleaner (rotors are shipped with oil coating). Wipe completely dry. Slide the new rotor onto the hub, ensuring it sits flat against the hub face. Use a lug nut to temporarily hold rotor in place if needed.
   ⚠Failure to remove protective coating will cause brake contamination and reduced braking performance.
7. 7

   Reinstall caliper bracket with thread locker
   Apply medium-strength thread locker to the caliper bracket bolt threads. Position the bracket over the rotor and align with mounting holes. Install both bracket bolts and torque to 120 Nm (88 lb-ft) using a torque wrench. Torque in an alternating pattern.
   ⚠️Thread locker is required on these bolts. Failure to use thread locker or incorrect torque can result in bracket detachment and complete brake failure.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts97 Nm (71 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Compress caliper piston
   Before installing new pads, the caliper piston must be compressed fully into the caliper bore. Use a C-clamp or brake piston tool, placing it between the piston and the back of the caliper body. Slowly compress the piston completely. Monitor the brake fluid reservoir to ensure it does not overflow.
   ⚠If brake fluid is old or contaminated, consider opening the bleeder screw and capturing fluid rather than pushing contamination back into the ABS system.
9. 9

   Install brake pad hardware and new pads
   Install new anti-rattle clips and shims onto the caliper bracket according to the hardware kit instructions. Apply a thin layer of silicone brake grease to the pad backing plates where they contact the caliper bracket (not on friction material). Install the inner and outer brake pads into the bracket, ensuring proper orientation.
10. 10

    Reinstall caliper with lubricated slide pins
    Inspect the caliper slide pins for damage or excessive wear. Clean slide pins with brake parts cleaner and apply silicone brake grease to the pins (not to the bolts). Swing the caliper down over the new pads. Install both slide pin bolts and torque to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft).
    ⚠Slide pins must move freely. Seized pins cause uneven pad wear and reduced braking. Replace pins if damaged or corroded.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Repeat for opposite side
    Repeat steps 1-10 for the opposite front wheel. Ensure both sides are completed with identical parts and procedures.
12. 12

    Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts
    Reinstall both front wheels. Hand-tighten all lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until wheels just contact the ground but vehicle weight is still on jack stands. Torque lug nuts to 108 Nm (80 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands.
    ⚠️Improper lug nut torque can cause wheel detachment while driving. Always use a torque wrench and star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts108 Nm (80 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Pump brake pedal and check fluid level
    Before moving the vehicle, pump the brake pedal firmly 10-15 times until it becomes firm. The pedal should not go to the floor. Check brake fluid reservoir and top off to MAX line with DOT 3 brake fluid if necessary. Reinstall reservoir cap.
    ⚠️Do not attempt to move the vehicle until brake pedal is firm. The first pedal press will have no resistance as pistons extend to contact new pads.

Reassembly

1. Verify all tools have been removed from wheel wells and under vehicle.
2. Test brake pedal feel with vehicle stationary. Pedal should be firm within 2-3 pumps and hold steady pressure.
3. Perform initial brake test at low speed (under 5 mph) in a safe area to verify brakes engage properly before normal driving.

Verification

• Pump brake pedal firmly 10-15 times. Pedal should become firm and not sink to floor with sustained pressure.
• Check brake fluid reservoir level - should be between MIN and MAX lines.
• Test drive vehicle in safe area at low speeds (under 15 mph) and verify brakes engage smoothly without pulling to one side.
• Perform 5-10 moderate stops from 30 mph with adequate cooling time between stops to begin bedding process.
• After 50 miles, re-torque wheel lug nuts to 108 Nm (80 lb-ft) in star pattern.
• Complete proper bedding procedure: 10-15 stops from 45 mph to 15 mph with moderate pressure, allowing 30 seconds between stops to cool. Do not come to complete stop during bedding.
• Check for any vibration, noise, or pulling during braking. Any abnormalities require immediate inspection.
• After bedding, avoid aggressive stops for the first 200-300 miles to allow full pad material transfer to rotors.

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