How to Change the Brake Pads on a Honda Accord

Brake pads are an important part of the braking system of your Honda Accord. They are friction pads that pinch the brake disc every time the breaks are applied. Over a period of time, they can get worn out. It is necessary to change brake pads on a Honda Accord when they are less than ¼ of an inch in thickness. Worn out brake pads can cause irreparable damage to the braking system of the car.

How to Change Brake Pads on a Honda Accord

• First, park your car on an even surface and place blocks in front of the wheels to prevent the car from moving while you change brake pads on a Honda Accord. Open the hood of the car and check the break fluid in the break fluid container. Next, remove excess fluid so that less than half the container remains full. Raise the rear end of the car with a jack and remove the wheel assembly. Detach the caliper bolts from the back of the caliper with a socket wrench and slide the caliper from the disc brake. Then remove the brake pads, the pad shims and the retainers from the caliper. Clean the caliper and insert the pads and shims into position. Use the wrench to reattach the caliper to the disc rotor and replace the wheel assembly at the back end. Lower the car to the ground and pump the brake pedal to secure the brake pads in position. Repeat the process for the front brake pads by raising the front end of the car with the jack. Once you have changed the brake pads on a Honda Accord, replace the previously removed fluid to the brake fluid container.

Precautions to Take when You Change Brake Pads on a Honda Accord

• It is important to clean the calipers with a special brake part cleaner. Hard-braking when using new brake pads can damage the braking system of the car. Hence, take care to drive carefully for the first week. Brake fluid is an eye irritant and should be handled only after wearing protective eye glasses. Brake parts should always be cleaned with a damp cloth and the cloth should be thrown away after use. This is because brake parts contain asbestos fibers that can be hazardous to your health if they are inhaled.
• If you are mechanically inclined and can invest some time and effort into the project, you will be able to change brake pads on a Honda Accord yourself without spending money on the services of a professional mechanic.