Whether your 2001 Honda CRV is used for long road trips or to maneuver through traffic you need to make sure that the brakes are operating and functioning properly. To ensure that your brakes are functioning at their best replace the front disc brakes on your Honda CRV every 7,500 miles or more.
Select a level or flat location to perform this maintenance. Park the Honda CRV on a flat surface. Put the emergency brake on and put wedges behind the wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling. Drain two thirds of the brake fluid from the master cylinder using a syringe, turkey baster or similar tool. Raise the vehicle and secure it on jackstands. Remove the wheel and the tire assemblies.
Remove both caliper, but don't disconnect the brake line. Using mechanic's wire suspend the caliper from the CRV frame. Ensure that the caliper is not hanging from the brake hose. This may damage the hose.
Remove the brake pads from the caliper. Remove the shims. Inspect the brake rotor for damage. Replace if necessary. Use a C-clamp to push the caliper piston into it's bore.
Apply a layer of anti-squeal lubricant to the rear face of the brake pad and then install the shim. Reinstall the brake pads. Install the calipers and lubricate the caliper bolts and the boots using break fluid. Using a torque wrench, tighten the caliper mounting bolts to 24-ft. lbs. Reinstall the wheel and the tire assembly.
Add brake fluid to the master cylinder. Bleed the brakes. Reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery. Start the engine and pump the brakes 3 to 4 times to seat the brake pads. Reinstall the wheels. Test drive the vehicle at slow to moderate speeds to ensure that the maintenance was performed correctly.
