The 1998 Honda Civic LX comes equipped with front-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. The braking system relies upon the consistent relationship between the brake pads and the disc rotors. The brake pads squeeze against the rotors when the brake pedal is depressed. The material on the brake pads' surfaces should be sufficient to provide grip and substantial enough to withstand the heat and stress of braking. When the pads have worn past the point that they can effectively slow and eventually stop the Civic, you should replace them immediately.
Park the Civic on level ground and pop the hood. Mover to the front of the vehicle and lift the hood. Remove the master cylinder cap (located to the left of the Honda's engine) and siphon half of the brake fluid from the reservoir with a syringe. Place a shop rag over the master cylinder container.
Place tire blocks behind the rear wheels. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels with the lug wrench, Lift the front of the Civic with the jack and rest the front axles onto two jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and take the front wheels off.
Locate the "window" on the top of the left-front brake caliper. The opening allows you to see the brake pads and rotor with the caliper still attached. Place a flat screwdriver into the window and force the caliper piston into the side of the caliper. The space will allow you to remove the caliper from the rotor.
Remove the two caliper bolts on the back side of the caliper (closest to the wheel-well) with a 10 mm socket and ratchet. Lift the caliper and brake pads from the rotor. Slide the two worn brake pads from the caliper and set them aside. Place channel-lock pliers onto the caliper piston and squeeze it against the caliper side until it is completely depressed.
Apply anti-squeal, copper-based brake grease to the inside of the caliper and the back sides of the new brake pads. Slide the pads onto the sides of the caliper. Apply brake grease to the caliper slide pins. Place the caliper and brake pads back over the rotor and screw in the caliper pins. Tighten the pins with the socket and ratchet. Replace the front-left wheel and screw on the lug nuts. Move to the other side of the Civic.
Repeat steps 3 through 5 to replace the brake pads on the right front brake. Lift the front of the Honda with the jack, remove the jack stands and lower the front tires to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Move to the engine compartment.
Remove the shop rag from the master cylinder and place a funnel inside. Fill the reservoir with DOT-3 brake fluid. Remove the funnel and close the Honda's hood.
