Owner's book · not a shop

Open Hood

Know the car. Then the window. Factory specs in plain English — don't authorize until you can say this at the counter.

No car yet Try the demo · 2003 Honda Accord

Owner tools

Lab desks

Fix Finder · 19 aisle tickets

Code or symptom

Type what the scanner printed, or the smell / squeal. We name the jobs, then the boxes — and we hold the ones you should not throw.

Walking the aisle…

Fix Finder · 19 aisle tickets

Code or symptom

Type what the scanner printed, or the smell / squeal. We name the jobs, then the boxes — and we hold the ones you should not throw.

Open aisle

Pads · Replace

Brake pads

Indicator squeal is a thin pad. Metal-on-metal is a rotor. Ask for millimeters remaining, not 'they're due.' Front and rear are different boxes.

Do not buy rotors because the pad squealed. Measure the pad and the rotor. Hardware kits stop the rattle that gets blamed on pads.

DIY

You can do this

If you can torque lug nuts to the door sticker and seat the caliper pins, this is weekend work. A seized slider is a different job.

Measure pad thickness. Under about 3 mm is a conversation. Metal-on-metal is today.
Front or rear? They are different SKUs.
Torque wheels to the door sticker in a star. Bed the pads the way the box says.

Tools: Jack and stands · C-clamp or caliper tool · Torque wrench

In the aisle

What they will ask

The parts person does not start with a SKU. They start with the engine and whether it is 2WD or 4WD. Answer from the bay ticket when we have it.

Front or rear?
They will ask — not on the hook yet
Two different boxes. Do not let them pull both until you said both.
2WD or 4WD?
They will ask — not on the hook yet
Some trucks use different front pads or a different caliper on 4WD.
Which engine / trim?
They will ask — not on the hook yet
Performance packages change the pad shape.

Parts aisle

Boxes on the hook

Search for year / make / model not on the hook. Not stock. Not TecDoc.

Brakes · bin BRK-1

Brake pads (one axle)

Name the axle. Ceramic vs semi-met is a noise and dust choice.

Query: brake pads

Brakes · bin BRK-2

Pad hardware kit

Clips and abutment hardware. Cheap insurance against a squeal comeback.

Query: brake pad hardware kit

Hold

Brakes · bin HOLD

Brake rotors

HOLD unless they are below discard, grooved, or pulsating. Squeal alone is not a rotor.

Query: brake rotors

Related: 12V