How to Replace Rotors on a 1997 Honda Accord

The brake-rotor replacement process on the 1997 Honda Accord is different than most Honda vehicles. The brake rotors are the main parts that stop the vehicle. When the brakes are pushed inward, the brake pads inside of the brake caliper compress to the brake rotor. Once the brake pads fully compress to the brake rotor, the vehicle comes to a stop.

Instructions

1

Park the 1997 Honda Accord in a safe, level work area and open the hood.

2

Locate and remove the cap from the brake-fluid reservoir. The reservoir is below the brake master cylinder on the driver side rear of the engine.

3

Loosen the lug nuts on both front tires with the lug wrench. Do not remove the lug nuts, just loosen the lug nuts so that the wheel will not turn when the Accord is jacked up in the air.

4

Slide the jack under the front of the 1997 Honda Accord. Make sure that the jack is directly below the metal cross-brace that is below the engine. Put the two jack stands under the frame rail directly behind each front wheel. Lower the 1997 Honda Accord so that the car is sitting securely and evenly on top of the jack stands.

5

Finish removing the lug nuts from both wheels and slide the wheels off the wheel hubs. Starting at the front driver-side wheel, locate the brake caliper that is sitting on top of the brake rotor. Slide the pry bar inside of the open window on top of the brake caliper and pry the rear brake pad towards the engine. This will compress the cylinder inside of the caliper so that you can remove the caliper from the rotor.

6

Remove the two mounting bolts from the rear of the caliper with the ratchet and socket. The two mounting bolts are on the upper and lower portions of the brake caliper. Turn the mounting bolts counterclockwise to remove.

7

Remove the brake caliper from the brake rotor. Hang the brake caliper to the side of the frame rail with the bungee cord. This is so that the caliper is not hanging from the brake line.

8

Locate the ball joint behind the wheel hub. The ball joint is connected to the steering knuckle. The upper and lower ball joints have to be separated and the steering knuckle has to be removed to be able to remove the mounting bolts from the rear of the brake rotor.

9

Remove the cotter pins from the top and bottom ball joint nuts with the pliers. Then, remove the top and bottom nuts from the top and bottom ball joints with the ratchet and socket.

10

Slide the forked end of the ball-joint fork between the upper ball joint. Hammer the end of the ball-joint fork with the hand-held sledgehammer until the upper ball joint separates from the steering knuckle.

11

Slide the forked end of the ball-joint fork between the lower ball joint. Hammer the end of the ball-joint fork with the hand-held sledgehammer until the lower ball joint separates from the steering knuckle.

12

Remove the four locking bolts from where the steering knuckle is connected to the rear of the brake rotor with the ratchet and socket. Turn the bolts counterclockwise to loosen. Then, remove the bolts from the rear of the steering knuckle. The rotor will be loose when you remove the last locking bolt. Lower the rotor to the ground.

13

Remove the two flange bolts that are holding the hub unit inside of the brake rotor with the ratchet and socket. Transfer the hub unit to the new brake rotor and insert the two flange bolts and tighten down with the ratchet and socket.

14

Put the new brake rotor back up to the end of the steering knuckle and insert the four locking bolts back in place. Tighten the locking bolts down tight with the ratchet and socket.

15

Reinstall both of the upper and lower ball joints. Screw the nuts back on and tighten down very tight with the breaker bar and socket. Insert the cotter pins back into the upper and lower ball-joint nuts and bend the cotter pins with the pliers so that the cotter pins do not fall out.

16

Slide the brake caliper with the brake pads over the top of the new brake rotor. Match the rear mounting holes up and insert the two upper and lower mounting bolts back into the rear of the brake caliper. Tighten the mounting bolts down tight with the ratchet and socket.

17

Slide the wheel back onto the hub and screw the lug nuts back onto the lugs. Tighten the lug nuts as tight as you can get them with the lug wrench. Follow these same exact steps for replacing the brake rotor on the front passenger side.

18

Jack the Accord back up and remove the jack stands. Lower the car to the ground. Finish tightening the lug nuts down tight with the lug wrench.

19

Screw the cap back onto the brake-fluid reservoir and close the hood.

20

Crank the Accord and pump the brakes five or six times to fit the brake pads to the new rotor. Turn the engine off.