How to Replace the Brake Pads on a 2004 Honda

Replacing a set of brake pads on your 2004 Honda is not hard to do. Doing the project yourself will save you a lot of money in labor costs at the repair shop. Brake pads wear because they use friction to slow and stop your Honda. The brake pads squeeze the rotor between them when you depress the brake pedal. You should change the brake pads when they reach the recommended minimum thickness, or the repair will become more expensive as the rivets from the brake pads begin to cut grooves into the rotors.

Instructions

1

Open the engine compartment and remove most of the brake fluid from the brake master cylinder with a turkey baster. The master cylinder is on the back wall of the engine compartment on the drivers side of the car. Put the fluid into the drain pan for later recycling.

2

Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Raise the Honda with an automobile jack. Place jack stands under the car near the jacking points and raise them to the frame. Loosen the lug nuts on one of the wheels with a lug wrench then take the wheel off the car.

3

Remove the bolt holding the brake hose to the bracket with a wrench. Remove the locking bolt from the brake caliper with a socket and ratchet. Pivot the caliper up and off the wheel assembly. Pull the brake pads and shims out of the brake caliper. Pull the old caliper retaining clips off the caliper.

4

Insert the new brake pad retaining clips into the caliper. Place the brake pads into the caliper then place the shims behind the brake pads. Pivot the caliper down onto the wheel assembly. Tighten the retaining bolt with the socket and ratchet.

5

Remount the wheel onto the Honda and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Repeat this process on the other wheel then remove the jack stands from under the Honda and lower it to the ground. Add brake fluid to the master cylinder if necessary. Pump the brake pedal several times until the pedal is firm to seat the brake pads onto the rotors.

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