my Honda CR-V has a grinding noise when braking, what's the issue?

Solution

1. Preparation

• Gather tools and parts needed for repair.
• Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels for safety.

2. Remove Wheel

• Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts but do not completely remove them.
• Raise the vehicle using a jack and secure it with jack stands.
• Remove the lug nuts and take off the wheel.

3. Inspect and Replace Brake Pads

• Inspect Brake Pads: Check the thickness of the brake pads. If they are worn down to less than 3mm, they need to be replaced.
• Remove Brake Caliper:
  • Use a socket set to remove the caliper mounting bolts.
  • Carefully slide the caliper off the brake rotor and secure it with a bungee cord to avoid stress on the brake line.
• Replace Brake Pads:
  • Remove old brake pads from the caliper bracket.
  • Install new brake pads, ensuring they are properly seated.

4. Inspect and Replace Brake Rotors (if needed)

• Check Rotors: Measure the thickness of the rotors. If they are below the minimum thickness specification or show excessive scoring, replace them.
• Remove Old Rotors:
  • If rotors need replacing, remove the rotor retaining screws (if applicable).
  • Slide the rotor off the wheel hub.
• Install New Rotors:
  • Clean the new rotor's surface with brake cleaner to remove any protective coating.
  • Install the new rotor onto the hub and secure it.

5. Reassemble Braking System

• Reattach the caliper over the new brake pads and rotor.
• Tighten the caliper mounting bolts to manufacturer specifications (typically 20-30 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

6. Lower Vehicle and Test

• Carefully lower the vehicle and remove the jack stands.
• Tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern to the manufacturer’s torque specs (usually 80-100 ft-lbs).
• Test drive the vehicle at low speeds to ensure proper brake function.