Brake Pads and Rotors - Front

Replace front brake pads and rotors on a 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo to restore braking performance and eliminate vibration or noise from worn components.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front brake pad set (includes hardware) × 1 — Use OEM Honda or quality aftermarket
• Front brake rotors (pair) × 2 — Use OEM Honda or quality aftermarket
• Brake caliper slide pin grease × 1 — Silicone-based high-temperature brake grease

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid — 0.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground, shift to Park (automatic) or 1st gear (manual), and engage parking brake firmly
2. Using a turkey baster or fluid syringe, remove approximately 1/3 of brake fluid from master cylinder reservoir to prevent overflow when compressing pistons
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Lift front of vehicle with floor jack at designated front jacking point and secure on jack stands at proper lift points
5. Remove front wheels completely and set aside
6. Inspect brake system for any 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. Using a 17mm wrench or socket, remove the lower slide pin bolt completely. The upper bolt may be loosened or removed depending on access preference. Most technicians remove only the lower bolt and pivot the caliper upward on the upper pin.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Pivot caliper and secure
   Carefully pivot the caliper upward to expose the brake pads. Do NOT let the caliper hang by the brake hose - use wire or a bungee cord to support the caliper weight by hanging it from a suspension component or strut. Ensure no tension is placed on the rubber brake hose.
   ⚠Never allow brake caliper to hang by the brake hose - this can damage the hose internally and cause brake failure.
3. 3

   Remove old brake pads and hardware
   Remove the inner and outer brake pads from the caliper bracket. Remove any anti-rattle clips or shims attached to the pads. Inspect the caliper slide pins for damage, excessive corrosion, or torn boots. If boots are torn, the slide pins should be serviced or the caliper replaced.
4. 4

   Remove caliper bracket
   Using a 19mm socket, remove the two caliper bracket bolts that secure the bracket to the steering knuckle. These bolts are very tight (120 Nm). Remove the caliper bracket completely. Note the position of any anti-rattle springs or clips for reinstallation.
   ℹ️Caliper bracket bolts are torqued to 120 Nm (88 lb-ft) and may require significant force to break loose. Ensure socket is fully seated to prevent rounding.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bracket Bolts97 Nm (71 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove old rotor
   Remove the old brake rotor from the wheel hub. If rotor is stuck due to corrosion, use a rubber mallet to tap around the hat section (center) and edges. Do not strike the rotor friction surface. Some Honda rotors have threaded holes for M8 bolts that can be used to push the rotor off the hub.
6. 6

   Clean hub surface and install new rotor
   Use a wire brush to thoroughly clean the wheel hub face, removing all rust and debris. Clean the new rotor thoroughly with brake parts cleaner on both sides to remove the protective oil coating - this is essential for proper braking. Slide the new rotor onto the hub. If desired, install a lug nut temporarily to hold rotor in place during assembly.
   ⚠Failure to completely clean protective oil from new rotors will result in severely reduced braking performance and potential brake failure.
7. 7

   Reinstall caliper bracket with thread locker
   Apply medium-strength thread locker to the caliper bracket bolt threads. Position the caliper bracket over the rotor and thread both bracket bolts into the steering knuckle. Torque both bolts to specification using a torque wrench in a cross pattern (alternate between top and bottom bolt).
   ⚠Thread locker is required on caliper bracket bolts. Failure to use thread locker may result in bolts loosening and complete brake failure.
   Torque spec

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

   Install new brake pads
   Install any new anti-rattle clips or shims that came with the brake pad set onto the caliper bracket. Apply a thin layer of silicone brake grease to the pad backing plate contact points and the tabs that fit into the bracket (do not get grease on friction material). Install the inner and outer brake pads into the caliper bracket.
9. 9

   Compress caliper piston
   Ensure master cylinder reservoir cap is loose or removed to allow fluid to return. Using a C-clamp or brake caliper piston tool, slowly compress the caliper piston fully into its bore. This pushes brake fluid back into the reservoir. Watch the reservoir to ensure it does not overflow - remove fluid if necessary. Clean piston dust boot area before compressing.
   ⚠️Do not compress piston with reservoir cap tightly installed - this can cause fluid to overflow or damage the brake system.
10. 10

    Lubricate and reinstall caliper
    Remove the caliper slide pins from the caliper bracket. Clean old grease and inspect for corrosion or damage. Apply fresh silicone brake grease to the slide pins and reinstall them. Position the caliper down over the new brake pads. Thread the caliper slide pin bolts and torque to specification.
    ⚠Caliper slide pins must move freely and be properly lubricated or the caliper will not function correctly, causing uneven pad wear and reduced braking.
    Torque spec

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

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1-10 on the opposite front wheel to replace the second set of pads and rotor. It is essential to replace both front brake pads and rotors as a complete axle set for balanced braking performance.
12. 12

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall both front wheels. Thread all lug nuts by hand first to ensure proper seating. Snug lug nuts in a star pattern with a wrench but do not fully torque yet. Lower vehicle to the ground and remove jack stands. With vehicle weight on wheels, torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    ⚠Wheel lug nuts must be torqued in a star pattern to ensure even clamping force and prevent wheel damage or detachment.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Restore brake pedal and check fluid
    With engine OFF, pump the brake pedal slowly and firmly 15-20 times until pedal becomes firm. This repositions the caliper pistons against the new pads. Check master cylinder reservoir and add DOT 3 brake fluid to the MAX line if necessary. Reinstall reservoir cap securely.
    ⚠️DO NOT attempt to drive vehicle until brake pedal is firm. If pedal does not become firm after pumping, there is a problem - do not drive the vehicle.

Reassembly

1. Verify all caliper bolts are torqued to specification and no tools or parts are left under vehicle
2. Ensure brake fluid level is at MAX line in reservoir and cap is secure
3. Verify wheel lug nuts are torqued in star pattern to specification

Verification

• With engine off, pump brake pedal 15-20 times - pedal should become firm and hold pressure without sinking
• Start engine and verify brake warning light is not illuminated on instrument cluster
• Perform a low-speed test drive in a safe area (5-10 mph) and verify brakes engage smoothly without pulling to one side
• Perform 20-30 gentle brake applications from 30 mph to properly bed the new pads to rotors (avoid hard stops for first 200 miles)
• After test drive, recheck all caliper bolts and wheel lug nuts for proper torque
• Check for any brake fluid leaks around calipers and brake lines
• Listen for any abnormal noises during braking - slight noise during initial bedding is normal but grinding or squealing should be investigated

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle