How to Change Brake Pads in a Honda Accord 1996

Replacing the brake pads on the 1996 Honda Accord is a necessary repair after normal wear and tear conditions (generally between 20,000 and 35,000 miles, on average). The 1996 Accord features front wheel disc brakes and may offer either rear disc or rear drum brakes. While replacing the pads on either axle is quite similar, the front pads work up to 75 percent of the braking capacity and will require more frequent replacement.

Instructions

1

Park the Accord on a level and hard surface and then apply the parking brake (only if replacing front brake pads; the parking brake applied will prevent the rear calipers from being removed to replace the rear brake pads).

2

Open the hood and use a clean brake fluid siphon device to remove half of the brake fluid from the master cylinder. Dispose of the fluid according to EPA regulations in your town or state. Replace the cap to the master cylinder.

3

Break the wheel nuts loose on the axle you're intending to change the brake pads by turning them 1/4 turn counter-clockwise with a lug nut wrench.

4

Hoist the vehicle with a jack and place jack stands under the front or rear frame rails, respectively. Finish removing the wheel nuts and then remove the wheels.

5

Remove the lower caliper bolt with a metric box wrench and then pry the caliper up and away from the pads, bracket and rotor assembly, using the small pry bar. Support the caliper on the suspension chassis, using a length of rope or bungee cord to retain it.

6

Squeeze the caliper piston inward using a 12-inch pair of channel locks, or a 4-inch C-clamp.

7

Remove the pads from the caliper bracket. If necessary, use the small pry bar to unseat them from the bracket.

8

Gently pry the pad retainers from the bracket. (In the event the replacement pads kit does not come equipped with replacement retainers, you'll need to reuse them.) Clean the top surface of the retainers with a wire brush to remove the rust, brake dust and any other visible corrosives.

9

Replace the retainers (or install the new ones, if applicable) and then apply a light coat of anti-seize compound to the contact points of the retainers, where the tabs of the pads sit.

10

Install the new pads into the caliper bracket. Be sure to apply the stick-on shims first, if so equipped (some replacement pads come with staked on shims). Insert the pads into the brackets, so that the wear sensors (if equipped) are located at the top of the pad(s).

11

Release the caliper from the length of rope or bungee cord, and then align it over the pads and rotor assembly. Replace the lower caliper bolt and tighten it with the box wrench. Repeat the pad replacement procedure for the other side of the same axle.

12

Replace the wheels and the wheel nuts. Tighten the wheel nuts so that they are firm against the wheel hub, and then use the jack to lift the Accord high enough to extract the jack stands (one side at a time); then lower the vehicle slowly to the ground.

13

Use the torque wrench and socket to tighten the lug nuts in an alternate, crisscross pattern, to 80-foot pounds.

14

Pump the foot brake pedal inside the car until it feels firm. Recheck the fluid in the master cylinder and add only new and clean brake fluid to the reservoir to top it off to the full level.