Honda Accord Front Brake Pads Replacement

Overview

How to Replace Honda Accord Front Brake Pads?

How to Change the Front Brake Pads on a Honda Accord



    1 Park your Accord & engage its emergency brake (because emergency brake only applies to rear brake).

    2 Remove wheel: loose nuts using lug wrench, lift the Accord's front end off the ground using your jack and remove the nuts, and wheel.

    3. Examine the Accord's brakes, if you notice the rotor is deeply worn, scratched or gouged, you'll need to have it resurfaced or install a new one. This video is about replacing the brake pads only. 

    4. Take a look at the back of the caliper. There are two bolts securing it against the rotor. Remove the bottom bolt, using a 12-mm socket wrench. Of course, turn the bolt counter-clockwise to remove it. You may now be able to simply lift the caliper upward, pivoting it on the top bolt. If not, try loosening the top bolt just a bit and try lifting it up again. 



    5. Examine how the old brake pads are positioned within the caliper bracket. Again, I find it easier just to take a photo of how everything looks so that you can correctly position the new pads. Once you're clear on how it's all put together, remove the old pads.



    6. Use a C-clamp to compress the piston inside the caliper. Make sure you put an old pad between the surface of the piston and your clamp. The old pad will prevent damage to the piston. Sometimes pushing brake fluid back through the system may cause the master cylinder to overflow. You may simply use a rag to clean the drip.

    7. Swing the caliper back down and bolt it into place. The "flexible" bolt housing may be in the way. Of course, if you removed only one bolt, tighten it snugly. If you removed both, remember to tighten both.



    8. Bolt the wheel/tire back into place and lower the Accord to the ground. Once the Accord is on the ground, tighten the lugs.

    9. Move to the other side and repeat the process to change the brake pads. You must always change both left and right brake pads. Never change just one side. When you're finished with both left and right brakes, open the Accord's hood and find the master cylinder. Clean any drips, look at the master cylinder. If you've lost any brake fluid, refill it.



Cars, Auto Repair, Do It Yourself Auto Repair

Alternative Methods

There is more than one way to approach this task. Here are the most common methods, ranked by difficulty and cost.

Professional Brake Service

Take your vehicle to a certified brake specialist who can inspect the full system including rotors, calipers, and hydraulic lines.

Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
Estimated Cost: $150-$400 per axle
Notes: Guarantees proper torque specs and brake fluid bleeding

DIY with Jack Stands

Lift the vehicle on jack stands, remove the wheel, and replace pads following manufacturer specs.

Difficulty: Intermediate
Estimated Cost: $30-$80 for pads
Notes: Requires basic tools and mechanical confidence

Mobile Mechanic Service

Hire a mobile mechanic who comes to your location with all necessary tools and parts.

Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
Estimated Cost: $100-$250
Notes: Convenient but verify technician credentials

Tips and Common Mistakes

Avoid these pitfalls and use these tips to get the job done right the first time.

Always replace brake pads in pairs — both sides of the same axle — for even braking.
Use a C-clamp or brake caliper piston tool to compress the caliper piston before installing new pads.
Open the brake fluid reservoir cap before compressing the piston to prevent pressure buildup.
Never let the caliper hang by the brake hose — support it with a wire or bungee cord.
Apply brake grease to the back of the pads and the slide pins, but never on the friction surface.
Bed in new brake pads by making 10-15 moderate stops from 35 mph without coming to a complete stop.
Check your brake rotors for minimum thickness — worn rotors reduce braking performance even with new pads.

Tools and Materials

Item	Estimated Cost
Brake pads (per axle set)	$25-$80
C-clamp or caliper piston tool	$10-$25
Socket wrench set (metric/SAE)	$20-$60
Jack and jack stands	$30-$80
Brake parts cleaner spray	$5-$8
Brake caliper grease	$5-$10
Torque wrench	$25-$50
Wire or bungee cord (caliper support)	$2-$5

When to Take It to a Mechanic

If you notice any of the following, skip the DIY route and see a professional immediately:

Brake pedal goes to the floor — this may indicate a hydraulic leak or master cylinder failure.
Vehicle pulls hard to one side when braking — could be a stuck caliper or uneven pad wear that requires caliper service.
Grinding metal-on-metal sound — the pads are completely worn and the rotors may need machining or replacement.
Brake warning light stays on after pad replacement — the sensor or ABS system may need professional diagnosis.
Spongy or soft pedal feel — air in the brake lines requires a full system bleed, which is difficult without a helper or vacuum bleeder.

Video Tutorial

For the full video tutorial, visit Genius Asian.

Continue learning with these related guides:

This article was originally published on cartrek.com on 2013-07-05. Content has been updated and expanded for 2026.