Honda Accord (1998-2002) Maintenance and Repair

2254 messages,  Last post on Jan 23, 2013 at 7:44 AM

You are in the Honda Accord Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Electrical, Engine, Coupe, Sedan

#1515 of 2254 1999 Honda Accord Brake Problems NEED HELP PLEASE by rickytz7111

Sep 14, 2008 (6:00 pm)

Let me try to make a long story short. The other night I was going to change out the rotors and pads on the front disc brakes of my 99 accord lx 4cyl. I noticed that the lugs were kind of warm and the caliper was pretty warm as well, it had been sitting for about 1 hour or maybe a little less. I didn't think much about it. Well I got the new rotors installed along with the pads took it for a test drive and everything seemed fine. Well tonight I was out driving it I noticed a smell I didn't know what it was. When I got back to the house it was the front brakes. The lug nuts were so hot you couldn't touch them for a second with out getting burned. The rim felt fine as well as the tire. I called a friend and he told me jacking the car up and spin the tire and have someone stop and try to spin the tire right after they release the brake to make sure the caliper wasn't catching or holding. I did that and it spun like a champ. So I don't think it's the calipers catching. He mentioned something about a check valve when you push in the piston on the rotor. He said if you do it to quickly that it does something with that check valve. Do Hondas have that check valve? His next advice was to bleed the brakes and see if that check valve would reset itself. Have you guys heard of that? What else do you think could be causing the problem? Thanks for any help

#1516 of 2254 Re: 1999 Honda Accord Brake Problems NEED HELP PLEASE [rickytz7111] by elroy5

Sep 14, 2008 (6:54 pm)

Replying to: rickytz7111 (Sep 14, 2008 6:00 pm)
Has your brake fluid ever been changed? My guess is after a fair amount of braking, the water absorbed into the fluid over time starts to boil. When the fluid starts to boil, it expands causing the calliper to close on the brake disk, over heating everything. After the car has been sitting, the fluid has cooled, the calliper releases again, and the wheel will spin freely. If your brake fluid has not been changed in the past 3 years, I would try that first. Good luck

#1517 of 2254 by rickytz7111

Sep 18, 2008 (5:14 am)

Would it be ok if I bled just the front 2 brakes?

#1518 of 2254 2002 Accord squeaking/scraping noise by zakiman

Sep 24, 2008 (6:45 am)

This may have been already discussed before so my apologies... I've got a 2002 Accord 5 speed with 148K miles. The front pads and rotors are the original so I never changed them. I changed the rear pads at 65K and turned the rotors , however.
When driving on the highway I get this squeaking noise coming from the right wheel on the passenger side. It starts sometimes when I am going downhill between 40 - 65 mph. Once I hit the brakes, the noise goers away. Is this a symptom of worn brake pads or is it something else?
 
Thanks for any comments.

#1519 of 2254 Re: 2002 Accord squeaking/scraping noise [zakiman] by thegraduate

Sep 24, 2008 (7:11 am)

Replying to: zakiman (Sep 24, 2008 6:45 am)
If you hear grinding/squeaking when you are not applying the brakes, and it goes away when you apply them, your pads need changing. This is the warning sound for needing replacement.
 
Went through this in my '96 back in 2003. Got 131k on my front pads. You beat me!
 
Must be a lot of highway, eh?

#1520 of 2254 Re: 2002 Accord squeaking/scraping noise [thegraduate] by zakiman

Sep 24, 2008 (8:12 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Sep 24, 2008 7:11 am)
Yes [thegraduate], the squeaking noise comes when the brakes are not applied. I was just wondering why the brake pads wearing sensor make the noise when the brakes are not engaged???. I thought I'd hear the squeaking if I apply the brakes instead.
 
Yes 148K miles with the original front pads is amazing (knock on wood), I've got to thank my lucky stars for that! and Yes, lots of highway driving.
 
Thanks a lot.

#1521 of 2254 Re: 2002 Accord squeaking/scraping noise [zakiman] by thegraduate

Sep 24, 2008 (8:30 am)

Replying to: zakiman (Sep 24, 2008 8:12 am)
I guess because it wants you to get them replaced NOW!
 
How they work

#1522 of 2254 Re: 2002 Accord squeaking/scraping noise [zakiman] by kiawah

Sep 24, 2008 (9:55 am)

Replying to: zakiman (Sep 24, 2008 8:12 am)
Well, unfortunately you shouldn't wait until you hear the squeaking/grinding noise, particularly with that kind of mileage on the pads. Don't be surprised if they tell you the rotor's now also need replaced. If you didn't bleed the brake fluid every 2-3 years (to get the crud and moisture out of the calipers)since you got it, it might even need a set of calipers as well.....else they'll bind up and wear your next set of pads quickly, and overheat/warp your rotors.
 
If I was buying your car without knowing any service history, I'd replace everything (the calipers, rotors, and pads) and be done with it. Those things are all relatively cheap, particularly if you do it yourself.

#1523 of 2254 Re: 2002 Accord squeaking/scraping noise [kiawah] by zakiman

Sep 24, 2008 (11:09 am)

Replying to: kiawah (Sep 24, 2008 9:55 am)
WOW [kiawah] you scared the living S!%&# out of me ... I did change the brake fluid at 90 K miles on April 2006. Honda recommends changing it every 3 years regardless of mileage. So I guess I have 9 months to go!

#1524 of 2254 Re: 2002 Accord squeaking/scraping noise [zakiman] by kiawah

Sep 24, 2008 (1:52 pm)

Replying to: zakiman (Sep 24, 2008 11:09 am)
This is not rocket science stuff. Basically three major parts (rotor that rotates with the tire/hub, caliper that sits over the rotor shaped like a U, and a set of brake pads that the caliper squeezes against the rotor.
 
The rotors can warp with heat, causing pulsation. If the brake pads wear down to metal, then they can get scratched and ruined. Some people cut off the top layer of metal with a lathe, but that makes them thinner and more prone to warpage. They are cheap, so the cost for new approaches the labor to cut....so I just replace them.
 
The calipers, without brake fluid changes, get crud and moisture in them, and when the piston is pushed back in (to make room for the thicker new brake pad), the piston begins to bind internally, and the brake pads then don't 'release', so they rub continually against the rotor, it starts to overheat and then warp. You'll also smell the brake pad heat. The pads will wear out quickly, and the braking capability reduces significantly.
 
All three of these parts are relatively cheap to replace, and my view is if at all in doubt....just replace them. With 150K miles, I'd personally just spend a couple hundred bucks and replace everything. You'll have great smooth braking capabilities, and won't have to worry about anything for a couple years. To me, it's just not worth the hassle..... to not do it right the first time.
To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement