Owners of other Mazda vehicles such as the MAZDA2, MAZDA3, MAZDA6, MX-5 Miata, RX-8, MAZDASPEED3, MAZDA5, Tribute SUV, and CX-7 crossover may also find this guide to be helpful.

A few compatible replacement front brake pads with their part numbers include the following: ACDelco 17D1295CH, Raybestos PGD1295C, Wagner QC1295A, Bendix D1295, TRW TPC1295, Bosch BC1295 and Monroe GX1295.

It needs to be removed in anticipation of compressing the brake caliper pistons later in the process.

Engage the parking brake to lock the rear wheels before using the lug nut wrench or "tire iron" to slightly loosen the five lug nuts on the front wheel.

(The tire iron is located under a carpeted panel in the rear of the CX-9 cargo area along with the scissor floor jack.)

Then raise the front of the vehicle with the floor jack and support it with the two jack stands.

Spin off the five lug nuts the rest of the way and put them aside in a safe place.

Secure the brake caliper to the suspension tower using some sturdy twine or rope.

This will keep the caliper from falling down on your fingers or the rotor while you are replacing the brake pads.

Make a mental note of where the wear indicator or "squeal" bar is located on the old pads.

On this particular 2011 Mazda CX-9, the wear bar was situated at the top of the inner brake pad.

I recommend buying the ACDelco 17D1295CH brake pads since they have excellent reviews on Amazon.

Thoroughly clean off the brake rotor, caliper, caliper pistons, and caliper bracket with some brake parts cleaner spray and an automotive rag or paper towels.

To help prevent braking noise, apply some CRC Disc Brake Quiet gel or a similar product to the rear of the brake pads where they come in contact with the caliper.

If your vehicle exhibits shuddering, pulsating, or vibrations while braking, you may need to have your rotors "turned" (resurfaced) or better yet just replace them altogether with brand new rotors. If this is the car's first brake job and the rotors are in excellent condition, you should be able to just replace the pads with great results.

If you haven't already, remove the cap from the brake fluid reservoir in the engine bay to allow the brake fluid to more easily travel back through the brake lines when you compress the caliper piston.

Place an old brake pad on top of the brake caliper pistons to help evenly compress the pistons at a gradual pace to prevent damage.

Be sure to occasionally check the brake fluid level in the reservoir while compressing the pistons and avoid allowing it to overflow.

Only compress the brake caliper piston as far back until it is flush with the rubber dust boot.

If the lower caliper pin was adequately lubricated, re-insert it and also check that the upper caliper pin moves freely by oscillating the caliper back and forth a few times.

If the lower caliper pin wasn't well lubricated, apply some brake caliper grease to it and also remove the upper caliper bolt / pin to lubricate it as well.

If the caliper won't fit over the new pads, use the "C" or "F" clamp and an old brake pad to compress the caliper pistons a bit more.

Make sure that the rubber caliper pin dust boot on the caliper bracket lines up properly with the bolt hole in the caliper.

If you have a torque wrench, tighten both caliper bolts to about 25-30 ft lbs.

Next lower the vehicle until the tire holds enough weight to keep it from rotating and complete tightening the lug nuts. It would be best to use a torque wrench or an electric impact wrench with a torque stick to tighten the lug nuts to 100 ft lbs.

Get into the driver's seat and pump the brake pedal a few times to restore brake line pressure.

Then check the brake fluid level in the reservoir and verify that it is above the "MIN" (minimum) line. If it is low, pour in some fresh DOT 3 fluid.

Once the brake fluid level is correct, replace the brake fluid reservoir cap.

To break in your new brake pads, just drive normally for the first few hundred miles while trying to avoid any hard or "panic" stops which may "glaze" the new brake pads and cause them to squeak.

It's also a good idea to regularly inspect your driveway for drops of brake fluid which may indicate a leak, verify the brake fluid level in the reservoir, and also check that the lug nuts are still properly tightened. 

For more, check out my Mazda CX-9 Repair & Maintenance Guides page.