How to Change the Rotor on a Honda CRV 2003

The brake rotors on a 2003 Honda CRV should be inspected during every brake pad replacement. Damage to the rotors can stem from driving the vehicle with worn brake pads as the brake pad wear indicators scrape against the discs to alert the driver that the brake pads are worn to the point that requires replacement. Scored rotors are coarse and will wear the pads at a much faster rate. Replace the brake rotor(s) when you notice significant scoring.

Things You'll Need

• Syringe or turkey baster
• Lug wrench
• Lifting jack
• Jack stands
• 12 mm socket
• 17 mm socket
• Ratchet
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flat screwdriver
• Brake grease
• Brake parts cleaner
• Cloth towel
• Brake pads
• Rotor
• Funnel
• Brake fluid

Instructions

1. Lift the hood of the CRV by pulling the hood release lever under the driver's side dashboard.

2. Remove the master cylinder cap located on the right side of the Honda's engine, near the firewall. Look inside the reservoir. If the brake fluid is more than 3/4 full, remove half of the fluid with a syringe or turkey baster. Place the cap loosely over the top of the container.

3. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel corresponding to the rotor you are replacing with the lug wrench from the Honda's wheel maintenance kit. If you do not have the lug wrench, use a 17 mm socket and breaker bar.

4. Lift the CRV with the jack. Place the jack beneath the frame near the wheel that will be serviced. Place jack stands beneath the axle of the targeted wheel for support.

5. Remove the lug nuts and take off the wheel.

6. Remove the two caliper slide pins with a 12 mm socket and ratchet. Slide the caliper from the caliper bracket and rest it on the steering arm above the brake assembly.

7. Pull the spring clips away from the bracket to remove the brake pads from either side of the rotor. Slide the pads from the bracket.

8. Remove the two caliper bracket bolts with a 17 mm socket and ratchet. Slide the bracket away from the rotor and set it aside.

9. Remove the two rotor retaining screws on the face of the rotor's "top-hat" section with a No. 3 Phillips screwdriver. The top-hat section is the raised center section of the rotor.

10. Slide the rotor away from the wheel hub by hand. Grab the disc on either side and rock it back and forth to remove the disc.

11. Spray brake parts cleaner onto the new rotor and wipe it clean with a cloth towel to remove the packing oil.

12. Place the new rotor onto the wheel bolts and screw in the two retaining screws.

13. Remove the brake pad guide braces from the caliper bracket. Use a flat screwdriver if you are unable to remove them by hand. Clean the braces with brake parts cleaner and a cloth towel.

14. Replace the braces onto the caliper bracket.

15. Apply anti-squeal brake grease to the new shims and attach them to the new brake pads. Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the slots of the bracket braces.

16. Place the caliper bracket over the rotor and screw on the caliper bracket bolts with the 17 mm socket and ratchet. Place the new brake pads and shims into the slots of the bracket on either side of the new rotor.

17. Place the C-clamp over the caliper piston and the back of the caliper. Screw the clamp's handle to force the piston into the side of the caliper.

18. Replace the brake pad spring clips to the pads and bracket.

19. Place the caliper over the brake pads and bracket. Screw in the caliper slide pins with the 12 mm socket and ratchet.

20. Replace the wheel onto the lug bolts and screw on the lug nuts by hand.

21. Lift the Honda with the jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the lugs with the tire iron or 17 mm socket and breaker bar. Return to the engine compartment.

22. Lift the master cylinder cap and place a funnel into the reservoir. Fill the container with brake fluid until it reaches the full line on the container. Remove the funnel and replace the master cylinder cap. Close the CRV's hood.

References

• 2003 Honda CRV Brake Pads and Rotors Change Video (part 1)
• 2003 Honda CRV Brake Pads and Rotors Change Video (part 2)
• Edmunds.com: How to Change Your Brake Pads
• "Honda Civic & CR-V Auto Repair Manual, 2002-2004"; John Haynes, 2004