Doing my own brakes (97 Accord) - need some advice
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From: Tegger on 9 Sep 2007 13:21 "techman41973(a)yahoo.com" <techman41973(a)yahoo.com> wrote in news:1189291496.188534.25890(a)19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com: > I am a handy guy (engineering background) and I do quite a bit of my > own work on my car (oil changes, electrical repairs, etc). I am > considering doing my own brake work. With the miles I put on my car > each year, I am servicing both front and rear brakes annually at a > cost of close to $800. I know that servicing brakes on my own are > risky, as my safety can be compromised. I am looking to hear from > other "amateurs" who decided to do their own brakes and the problems > they have encountered. Any tips and recommendations to quickly get up > to speed would be helpfull. I have my service manual to my 97 Accord. > Are their classes that any of you took to learn this from a > professional? I know that rotors often need to be resurfaced > professionally. Where do you guys go for that and how much does it > usually cost? Are their videos that anyone would recommend?Since this > is my only car, I am wondering if that means I need to keep spare > rotors to swap out. > I made up this series of pages: http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/rustybrakes/brakes1.html It specifically concerns an Integra/Civic, but may help as a general overview for your Accord. Don't know if your Accord has rear drums or rear discs, and if discs, whether you've got drum-in-hat or PB on caliper. If you've got drums, the rears can be left alone for many years. -- Tegger The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
From: Hachiroku ハチロク on 9 Sep 2007 14:38 On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 15:44:56 -0700, techman41973(a)yahoo.com wrote: > I know that servicing brakes on my own are risky, as my safety can be > compromised Wow! How so? Once you get in there and see how easy it is, you'll wonder why you didn't so it sooner. Also, look at it this way: if someone with no more than a High School education can do it, why can't you? (HOLD IT!!!! That was meant as a JOKE, son. Those guys are well trained (usually) by their employers, and have to deal with EVERY SINGLE brake system on the road. When I get stumped, guess what I do...) At any rate, the only thing I don't like about Hondas is that some of the rotors are pressed onto the bearing, and it makes it a REAL PITA. I think Honda got awa from this by '97. I used to think the same way until I did my first brake job. And all wheel dics are a snap. If it has rear drums, pay attention, make notes, or use your digital camera. One time I put the adjuster on wrong on one side, but corrected it before I drove the car...
From: Hachiroku ハチロク on 9 Sep 2007 14:39 On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:44:02 -0400, Dave wrote: > from the diagrams I have seen, Honda rotors look to be quite simple to > exchange - some vehicles have the rotors as part of the hub assembly and > this would complicate the issue so that you would have to deal with > bearings and greasing them and torquing them, etc - apparently Honda has > taken the higher road and has the rotors as a removeable disk attached to > the hub so we don't have to get into that. You need a press to service this system.
From: Hachiroku ハチロク on 9 Sep 2007 14:42 On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 18:15:11 -0500, hls wrote: > > <techman41973(a)yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:1189291496.188534.25890(a)19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com... > > > > I am servicing both front and rear brakes annually at a >> cost of close to $800. > > That is AWFULLY expensive, I think > >> I know that servicing brakes on my own are risky, as my safety can be >> compromised. I am looking to hear fromother "amateurs" who >>decided to do their own brakes and the problems >> they have encountered. Any tips and recommendations to quickly get up to >> speed would be helpfull. I have my service manual to my 97 Accord. Are >> their classes that any of you took to learn this from a professional? I >> know that rotors often need to be resurfaced professionally. Where do >> you guys go for that and how much does it usually cost? Are their videos >> that anyone would recommend?Since this is my only car, I am wondering if >> that means I need to keep spare rotors to swap out. > > > Years ago, I worked evenings and weekends as a mechanic to make extra > money. I took classes and worked with professionals who could give me the > benefit of > their experience. > > As far as safety wise, be very careful how you get your car up on > supports, and > how you take it down. (You already know the supports MUST be robust) > > Sometimes rotors need to be resurfaced or replaced. BUT NOT ALWAYS If they > must be resufaced, I take them to a local machine shop. I have dial > indicators and micrometers which help me determine if the rotors are true > and of sufficient thickness. I have a torque wrench to put the wheels > back on properly. Rotors at palces like CarQuest and AutoZone are anywhere from $8 to $50. Resurfacing costs $25-40 per rotor. I usually just buy the new rotors when doing the pads, then I don't have to fart around with it for 30,000 miles or more... The way I drive my cars, that's ~3 years between jobs... > > If you are having to re-do brakes annually, something seem suspicious. > Pads usually last a lot longer than that. Rotors do too. > > What is your problem, or what are you trying to accomplish?
From: jim beam on 10 Sep 2007 00:10
Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/ wrote: > On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 15:44:56 -0700, techman41973(a)yahoo.com wrote: > >> I know that servicing brakes on my own are risky, as my safety can be >> compromised > > > Wow! How so? Once you get in there and see how easy it is, you'll wonder > why you didn't so it sooner. > > Also, look at it this way: if someone with no more than a High School > education can do it, why can't you? > > (HOLD IT!!!! That was meant as a JOKE, son. Those guys are well trained > (usually) by their employers, and have to deal with EVERY SINGLE brake > system on the road. When I get stumped, guess what I do...) > > At any rate, the only thing I don't like about Hondas is that some of the > rotors are pressed onto the bearing, and it makes it a REAL PITA. but it's a great way of reducing the probability of insufficiently trained brake jockeys causing brake judder... > I think > Honda got awa from this by '97. > > I used to think the same way until I did my first brake job. And all wheel > dics are a snap. If it has rear drums, pay attention, make notes, or use > your digital camera. One time I put the adjuster on wrong on one side, but > corrected it before I drove the car... > > |