How to Change the Brake Pads on a 2001 Honda Accord

The brakes on your 2001 Honda Accord can wear out after thousands of miles of continuous use, requiring replacement as soon as possible. Replacing worn brake pads when required will help your Accord maintain its peak braking performance as well as protect your own safety and that of fellow motorists. The 2001 Accord is fitted with front disc brakes as standard equipment on base models and four-wheel disc brakes on premium models. Replacing the brake pads should take no more than an hour for all wheels in ideal conditions.

Instructions

Preparations

1

Open the hood and disconnect the negative terminal cable from the battery. This will reduce the possibility of shock and serious injury.

2

Open the brake master cylinder reservoir and remove half of the fluid inside with a turkey baster. Transfer the fluid to a sealable container and dispose of the used fluid.

3

Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with a lug wrench without completely removing the nuts. Use a floor jack or garage lift to raise the vehicle. If using a floor jack, use jack stands to stabilize the vehicle. Finish removing the nuts and pull the wheel off the axle to reveal the brakes.

Changing the Brake Pads

4

Remove the two retaining bolts holding the brake caliper to its mounting bracket with a ratchet and socket. Pull the bolts out and lift the caliper off the rotor. Use mechanic's wire to suspend the caliper in mid-air. Do not allow the caliper to hang downward by the brake hose.

5

Remove the used brake pads from the caliper. Detach the retaining clips on the back of the pads if so equipped. Place one of the old pads against the brake caliper piston and place a C-clamp against the pad and the back of the caliper. Use the C-clamp to push the piston back inside of the caliper.

6

Attach the retaining clips to the back of the new pads and place them in the caliper. Place the caliper back over the brake rotor and reinsert the two retaining bolts. Tighten the bolts with a ratchet and socket. Repeat the procedure on the other wheels.

7

Mount the wheel back on the axle and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle. Tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench.

8

Open the brake master cylinder reservoir and add fresh brake fluid to the top fill line. Close the reservoir. Reconnect the negative terminal cable to the battery. Enter the Accord and apply the brakes four to five times to reset the brake pads.