How to Change the Front Brake Rotors in a 2001 Accord

Damage to the brake rotors often occurs as a result of ignoring the squealing of the brake pad's sensor, which indicates that the pads are bad. Although the squealing may eventually stop, it does irreversible damage to your Accord's rotors every time you press the brake pedal. The most noticeable sign of damaged front rotors is a hard metal grinding sound---similar to a train braking---when you try to stop the car. With a few tools, you can change the front brake rotors on your 2001 Accord at home in 45 minutes or less.

Instructions

1

Open the driver's door and fully engage the Accord's emergency brake. Loosen the lug nuts on the passenger side tire slightly with a lug wrench, but don't remove them completely.

2

Position a hydraulic jack under the frame rail near the tire. Safely raise the car until the bottom of the tire visibly measures five inches from the ground. Place a jack stand on the immediate left of the hydraulic jack to help support the car's weight. Slightly rock the car before you proceed to make sure that it's stable.

3

Remove the lug nuts from the tire completely and then carefully slide the tire away from the hub. Try not to let the tire drag across the lug nut studs, as their threads damage easily.

4

Wind your 8-inch C-clamp open completely and place it around the rear of the brake caliper's body. Begin winding the C-clamp shut slowly until its screw contacts the flat surface of the outer brake pad. Force the round piston on the back of the inner brake pad back down into the brake caliper's bore hole. Continue winding the C-clamp shut slowly until you can't see the piston anymore, then take the C-clamp off the brake caliper.

5

Remove the two mounting bolts holding the caliper bracket in place with a socket wrench. Do not remove the brake caliper's bolts--only remove the two bolts from the "C-shaped" bracket that the brake caliper is mounted on.

6

Place a five gallon bucket within the wheel well right beside the bracket and caliper. Using both hands, slide the bracket with the caliper still attached off the brake rotor and set both down on the bucket.

7

Loosen and remove the two screws on the face of the brake rotor one at a time with a Phillips screwdriver. Place both screws in your pocket because they must be returned during installation.

8

Pull the brake rotor off the hub in an outward motion and set it to the side of your work area. Install your new passenger-side brake rotor by reversing this removal process. Use a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench set to 79.6 ft-lbs. to secure the caliper bracket's bolts, then reset the torque wrench to 80 ft-lbs. to secure the lug nuts. Pump the brake pedal until it stiffens.

9

Use the same procedure detailed in steps 1 through 8 to change the driver's side brake rotor.