How to Change the Brakes on a 1996 Honda Accord

The 1996 Honda Accord was well known for the acceleration provided by its powerful V6 engine. It also was acclaimed for a great ride and expressive steering. Anti-lock brakes were an option of limited availability, but disc brakes at all four wheels were standard. These brakes are not hard to change at home. The job for all four tires can take as little as 2 hours or less.

Instructions

1

Loosen the lug nuts on your Accord's front wheels or rear wheels, using the tire iron. Place the wood blocks behind the rear tires if you're changing the front brakes or in front of the front tires if you're changing the rear brakes.

2

Using the jack, raise the front of the Accord if you're changing the front brakes or the rear of the Accord if you're changing the rear brakes. Don't raise both the front and the rear of the Accord at the same time. Raise the car high enough that the tires leave the ground and you can set the jack stands under the axle or under the frame rails. Lower the car onto the jack stands. Remove the loosened lug nuts and wheels.

3

Remove the brake caliper mounting bracket from the rotor on one side of the car by removing the bolts that attach it to the rotor, using the socket wrench. Hang the bracket in the wheel well using the rope, string or wire to prevent any strain on the brake line.

4

Slide the brake pads out of the bracket.

5

Compress the brake caliper with the C-clamp by clamping the C-clamp onto the mounting bracket. Compress the cylinder until it is flush with the bracket.

6

Install the new brake pads by sliding them into the same space that the original pads were in.

7

Re-bolt the bracket to the rotor; replace the wheel on the hub and hand tighten the lug nuts.

8

Repeat Steps 3 through 6 on the other side of the car. Then lower the vehicle and tighten all of the lugs again with the tire iron.

9

Repeat the entire process, Steps 1 through 8, on the opposite end of the car as before, if necessary.