How to Replace 2003 Honda Accord Front Brake Pads

When your front brake pads start making noise, dollar signs may begin to appear in your head as you think about taking your 2003 Honda Accord to the repair shop. You can save yourself money by replacing the brake pads yourself. The removal and replacement of the brake pads does not require any special tools and an inexperienced mechanic should be able to perform the task in an afternoon.

Instructions

1

Loosen the lug nuts on both front wheels using a ratchet and socket, but do not remove them.

2

Jack up the front of the vehicle and secure it with jack stands.

3

Remove the lug nuts and remove the front wheels.

4

Examine the rear of the brake caliper and locate the two caliper bolts. There will be one at the top of the caliper and one at the bottom.

5

Loosen and remove the two caliper bolts using a ratchet and socket.

6

Pull the caliper away from the brake pads with your hands.

7

Hang the caliper from a strut spring using the bungee strap. This prevents the caliper from hanging by the brake hose.

8

Pull the old brake pads from the bracket using your hands.

9

Place the C-clamp over the piston inside of the brake caliper and compress the piston until it is inside the caliper.

10

Place the new brake pads into the bracket.

11

Apply a thin coat of brake pad grease to the rear of each pad.

12

Place the caliper over the new brake pads and hand-tighten the brake caliper bolts in the rear.

13

Tighten the caliper bolts to 54 foot-pounds of torque using a torque wrench.

14

Repeat steps 4 through 13 for the other side of the vehicle.

15

Place the wheels on the vehicle and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

16

Lower the vehicle to the ground and torque the lug nuts to 80 foot-pounds.

17

Pump the brake pedal repeatedly until the pedal feels firm.

18

Check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder. Add DOT 3 fluid if it is below the MIN line.

19

Test-drive the vehicle.