hey fellas i just got my 98 prelude and the brakes are squeeking..so im changing my brake pads..is there any special tools needed to pull out the rods holding my calipers together?..additionally my braking is uneven does this mean i need my rotors straightened up or is there a less expensive option..id appreciate the help..thanx

 

Your gonna need a 14mm and 17mm wrench/socket whatever you use. You'll use the 14 for to get the "rods" as you call them undone. And the 17 will take the pad bracket off. The "rods" which are actually called sliders are supposed to be taken out every so often, cleaned, and given a good grease to prevent them from freezing up. But if you take the sliders out (just pull the little rubber boot back and they should slide right out) and the grease on them is still greasy then don't worry about that.

As for the braking being uneven what exactly do you mean, does it pull to one side? You can usually get new rotors from carquest, autozone, advance auto, or pep boys for about $15/piece compared to the $80/piece you would pay at the dealership (non name brand but they get the job done and I don't have any complaints so far.)

To get the piston back into the caliper use a big screw driver or a pry bar if you have one to turn it clockwise until its all the way in, but make sure of two things when you do this: 1. That the slits in the piston line up with the little posts on the pads and 2. That the boot around the piston is tucked down (if the boot gets caught between the piston and pad it could rip and let moisture in, causing the piston to freeze and then you'd have to buy a whole new caliper.)

And don't forget to put the shims on the pads and apply the mollycoat that should come with them, but be careful to NOT get the mollycoat on the rotors. I think thats all but if you run into anything let me know and I should be able to help.

 

To just expand on pushing the piston back out a little bit...you could use a C-clamp. Put a pad in between the c-clamp and piston and start closing it up....close it up till there's just enough room to get both pads around the rotor and you should be good. Watch that brake fluid level though!

 

yeah c-clamp is what i use makes it alot easier.

 

hey man thanx..do i need to release any brake valves when i tighten the brake piston if so wer is it located

 

You use a C clamp on the fronts, and a pry bar on the rears. Anyway, with your caliper and pads off, check to see if your sliders move freely. Then, pay attention to when you compress the caliper with the clamp. If one side is much harder to compress than the other, it's likely that caliper needs to be replaced. Also, does your steering wheel shake when you brake? If not, and your rotors are not cracking, grooved, or hot spotted, you won't need to replace your rotors

 

I used a C-clamp along with a piece of wood when I changed the pads on my mom's Accord. Not too thick though, but strong enough to push both pistons back together

 

When you say hot spotted rotors what does that look like? My rotors are slotted but have some nasty looking stuff on them that doesnt come off. Still are smooth thought even over the nasty looking spots.

 

thanx guys u wer a big help

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by copeman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When you say hot spotted rotors what does that look like? My rotors are slotted but have some nasty looking stuff on them that doesnt come off. Still are smooth thought even over the nasty looking spots.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think that would be where there are small darkened areas on the rotor. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dumkopf &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I think that would be where there are small darkened areas on the rotor. Correct me if I'm wrong.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Mine are actually lighter looking areas. They look like a ton of dots but in a concentrated area and different parts of the rotor. One rotor is perfect but the other three have different amounts. It also seems like sometimes when I brake it is pretty rough but sometimes not.

 

I mean to edit that...By darkened areas I mean like where you can see it was burned or something...It's a little bit black. I think this is what it is. My brakes vibrate all the way to the steering wheel. I hate it.

 

Yeah my brakes vibrate to the steering wheel also. Seems like it is coming from the back more than the front. The nasty marks are on the back more than the front too. Wish I had time to go take pics but I have class soon and a ton of stuff to do tonight.