How to Install Front Brake Pads on a 2003 Honda Pilot
The front brake pads on the 2003 Honda Pilot are burdened with the lion's share of stopping responsibility. The brake pads themselves are charged with the task of squeezing against the brake rotors to slow and eventually stop the Honda. After the brake pads have become worn, they are less effective at stopping the vehicle. The brake pad wear indicators will scrape against the rotors, making a squealing sound, to indicate that brake pad replacement is necessary.
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Things You'll Need
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Tire blocks
- Lug wrench
- 12 mm socket
- Ratchet
- Brake pads
- C-clamp
- Flat screwdriver (optional)
Instructions
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1
Park the Honda Pilot in an area that will allow you to safely work on both sides of the vehicle. Place tire blocks behind the rear wheels, put the transmission in "park," and apply the parking brake.
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2
Loosen the lug nuts on each of the front wheels with the lug wrench. Loosen the lug nuts in a staggered sequence, not consecutively (loosen one lug nut, then skip the next lug nut and loosen the following one).
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3
Place the jack beneath the frame then lift the vehicle until the tires are clear from the road surface. Place jack stands beneath the frame to support the Pilot.
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4
Finish removing the lug nuts and pull the wheels from the wheel bolts.
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5
Turn the steering wheel to the right to access the right caliper slide bolts.
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6
Loosen the caliper slide bolts with a 12 mm socket and ratchet. Slide the bolts from the caliper.
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7
Pull the caliper off of the rotor and caliper bracket. Rest the caliper on top of the steering arm.
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8
Remove the worn brake pads from their position on either side of the brake rotor. The brake pads can be pulled outward from the rotor by hand, or you can pry them from the rotor with a flat screwdriver.
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9
Place one of the old brake pads against the caliper piston and place the C-clamp over the back of the caliper and the brake pad. Twist the C-clamp to force the brake pad against the piston until the piston is fully returned into the side of the caliper.
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10
Place the new brake pads onto each side of the rotor, in the space provided by the caliper bracket.
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11
Replace the caliper over the brake pads and onto the caliper bracket. Screw in the caliper slide bolts by hand and tighten them with a 12 mm socket and ratchet.
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12
Turn the steering wheel to the left and replace the brake pads on the left wheel as you did the brake pads on the right wheel.
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13
Turn the steering wheel so that the wheels are facing forward. Replace the wheels onto the wheel bolts and screw on the lug nuts.
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14
Lift the Pilot to remove the jack stands. Lower the Pilot to the ground using the lifting jack. Tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Avoid allowing the caliper to hang by the brake line. Damage to the brake line will require extensive work to repair or replace the line. Rest the caliper on the rotor or some other landing place to avoid straining the brake line.
References
- Photo Credit Bremsscheibe 1 image by durchblick24 from Fotolia.com
