How to Change the Brakes on a Honda Civic

The Honda Civic has a reputation as one of the most reliable cars on the road, but it won't be very reliable without good brakes. Over time, the brake pads, which are held within the calipers and are the key components, will wear down and reduce your brakes' effectiveness. These brake pads must be changed as soon as your brakes begin to feel loose. If worn pads are not changed, they can cause damage to the brake discs or calipers, causing the need for even harder brake repair.

Instructions

1

Raise the hood and remove the cap on the brake fluid reservoir to relieve pressure in the system. Siphon out some brake fluid with a turkey baster if it looks full. Raise the front or rear of the Civic and remove the wheels on that end.

2

Use a C-clamp to push the piston back into the caliper on front brakes. This will cause extra fluid to flow into the master cylinder, which can lead to overflow if you didn't siphon any out.

3

Spray the entire brake assembly with brake system cleaner to remove any dust. Don't blow it away with compressed air, as the dust contains harmful asbestos.

4

Open up a front brake caliper by removing its lower mounting bolt and swinging it upward. On rear brakes, disconnect all mounting bolts while holding the caliper pins with another wrench and remove the caliper from the bracket. Hang the caliper somewhere with a wire; never let it hang by its hose.

5

Inspect the caliper's condition and replace it if it is cracked or damaged in any way. Remove the caliper by disconnecting it from the brake hose and removing all mounting bolts. Plug the brake line with a small rubber hose piece to prevent leaking and contamination.

6

Replace the disc or have it refinished by a body shop if it has deep grooves cut into it. Remove the disc by removing its lug nuts and mounting bolts.

7

Change the brake pads by removing the pads and shims from inside the caliper, starting with the outer pads. Apply an anti-squeal compound to the new pads' back ends and install the shims on the pads.

8

Inspect the brake pad retainer clips in the caliper before installing the new pads and replace them if they don't fit snugly into their grooves within the caliper. Install the new pads, starting with the inner pads, making sure the pads are firmly within their grooves and retaining clips in the caliper.

9

Install all removed components--disc and caliper--using the reverse procedure of installation. Repeat the process for the other brake assembly on the car's raised end, then replace the wheels, lower the Civic, and repeat everything for the other end.