How to Install the Brake & Rotors for a 1995 Acura Integra

Learning how to properly install the brakes and rotors on your Integra not only saves money, it teaches an invaluable skill that's used repeatedly. Wear and tear naturally occurs to the brake system during every day driving. However letting your brakes and rotors go unchecked for extended periods puts you at a greater risk of not being able to stop the car. Acura recommends inspecting or replace the brake pads every 7,500 to 15,000 miles. The rotors should also be inspected for damage during this interval as well. Changing the brakes and rotors on the 1995 Acura Integra with a few tools, you can complete this repair in one hour or less right at home.

Instructions

Front Brakes and Rotors

1

Engage the emergency brake on the Integra and then use a lug wrench to loosen the driver's side tire lug nuts. Do not fully remove the lug nuts just slightly loosen them.

2

Raise the car with a car jack and place a jack stand on the right three inches from the car jack. Do not remove the car jack leave it in place for extra support.

3

Remove the lug nuts from the tire and then using both hands; slide the tire off its studs. Store the lug nuts in a safe location; don't leave them on the ground. If dirt gets into the lug nuts threads, it can cause cross-threading when you try to reinstall them.

4

Place an 8-inch C-clamp around the body of your brake caliper and then wind it shut slowly until it contacts the surface of the outer brake pad. Observe the round piston currently pushing on the back of the inner brake pad. This piston must be compressed back down into its bore hole. Wind the C-clamp shut until you see that the piston has completely gone down then loosen and remove the C-clamp.

5

Remove the lower brake caliper mounting bolt with a socket wrench. Grasp the brake caliper and pivot it upward to access the brake pads. You do not have to remove the top caliper mounting bolt. If pivoting the brake caliper seems difficult slightly loosen the top caliper mounting bolt to make it easier to move the caliper.

6

Notate the position and direction of each of the brake pads and shims. Remove and replace the brake pads along with their shims one at a time. The pads and shims simply slide out of their mounting position. Insert the new brake pad then apply three vertical beads of anti-squeal grease on the top of the brake pad then install the shim.

7

Lower the brake caliper back into position and thread the lower mounting bolt by hand. Tighten the lower mounting bolt and the top bolt if you loosened it with a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench set to 23 ft-lbs.

8

Remove the two inner upper and lower caliper mounting bracket bolts with a socket wrench. The bracket holds the brake pads and the caliper so don't remove the caliper bolts again mistakenly.

9

Place a 5-gallon bucket next to the bracket within the wheel well. Pull the entire mounting bracket off the rotor and set it down on the top of the bucket. Remove the two screws on the face of the rotor with a Phillips screwdriver and then pull the rotor off the hub toward you. Install the new rotor by reversing this step.

10

Install the mounting bracket by placing it back over the rotor into its original mounting position. Reset the 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to 80 ft-lbs. and secure the bracket's bolts in place. Remove the 5-gallon bucket and remount the tire onto the hub studs. Set the 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to 95 ft-lbs. and secure the lug nuts in place using a star tightening pattern.

11

Remove the jack stand, lower the car, and then release the emergency brake. Pump the brake pedal slowly until you feel the pedal stiffen. Repeat this entire process to replace the passenger-side brake pads and rotor.

Rear Brakes and Rotors

12

Replace the rear brake pads and rotors by following the same procedure as the front except one detail. The entire brake caliper has to be removed instead of pivoting it up like the front caliper. With the rear brake caliper removed use a lock nut wrench to rotate the piston clockwise to force it down into its bore hole.

13

Reinstall the brake caliper after you have replaced the brake pads. The cut-out on the inner brake pad has to align with the cut-out on the brake caliper's piston. Rotate the caliper piston back and forth until you get it to align correctly with the inner brake pad. Once aligned tighten the caliper mounting bolts to 17 ft-lbs. with a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench.

14

Remove the mounting bracket just as you did for the front bracket. Remove the two screws on the face the rotor, pull the rotor off and reinstall the new rotor in reverse. Tighten the mounting bracket bolts to 28 ft-lbs. with the 3/8-inch drive torque wrench. Remount the tire and tighten its lug nuts in a star pattern as well to 95 ft-lbs. with the 3/8-inch drive torque wrench. Pump the brake pedal again until it stiffens before you replace the other rear brake pads and rotor.