Short story: what brake rotors will fit in the rear of a 5th gen lude?
I bought Brembo blanks part# 25686 and it appears the Prelude's rear hub diameter is too large for them.

Long story below:
This past weekend, the weather was warmer and I figured I'd finally "fix" my rear brakes which were not touched for almost 6 years. I released the ebrake and loosened the ebrake adjustment screw so that the rear brakes wouldn't lock up but found that I had to hammer the caliper off. Probably not a good thing. The pads were rusted shut to the caliper bracket which also required a hammer to remove. I found that the outside pad was wearing unevenly and the top part of the pad was currently grinding against metal. Good thing I bought new Brembo blanks. Too bad they didn't fit. Was furious so I reinstalled everything and decided to at least use my unopened axxis pads which I had lying in the garage. Even when greased, they were difficult if not impossible to install in the caliper bracket. Also had trouble screwing in the piston. Anyone have any tips on how to get that piston to go back in? Currently, the rear brake assembly is just the way I left it with the same pads and rotors I started out with.

So guys, did anyone have difficulty installing new pads in the rear? If so, what tips would you have to get them in without pounding them into place?
Those pistons were impossible to screw back in. Could they be seized?
Finally, what after market rotors would you recommend? I'm not buying Honda OEM; They want way too much for Nissin blanks.

 

I always wanted to try moving a set of front rotors and calipers to the rear. One of my rears has been seized for a long time.

 

i had this same problem with the rear calipers when i did my brakes. theres many write ups on it. the pistons needs to be turned clock-wise to be pushed in, in order to put in the new pads. its deff not easy and pushing it will get nowhere, it wont move,it must be turned. I made a custom tool attached to a rachet to turn it. but i think it exist at any local auto parts store. Once the piston has been turned in, the brake job is takes minutes. u also have to open up the valve to release brake fluid while u push the piston in. then jus bleed them afterwards. hope that helps

 

If you want just an OEM replacement, go to Autozone or the like.
Or check www.importrp.com, $25 a Rotor.

That's the correct part number for Brembo 5thGen Rear Rotors... How is it not fitting? The rear Hub is the same size as the Front.

 

Whenever i have done my brakes in the past i use a bigass C-Clamp to wrench and torque the piston back into the calipers. Ive never worked on a fifth gen though so im not sure if a C-clamp would do the job. Good luck.

 

You want to move the front brakes to the rear on a car with a ~60/40 weight bias? Can you say oversteer due to the rear wheels locking?

Only use a C-clamp on the front caliper pistons. You can use the side of a large recular screw driver to turn the pistons in the rear. make sure the slots are aligned with the pad during assumbly. Using a C-clamp on the rear is just asking to break something.

 

Well Im gonna put a big brake kit on the front lol. I just hate the unbalanced look.

 

It'll likely still screw up the brake balance as the front brake caliper pistons are a much larger diameter than the rear.

 

Function>Aesthetics

Even weight balanced cars have smaller brakes in the rear. If you want larger diameter rear brakes, you need smaller caliper pistons to keep the brake torque close to stock.

This thread digresses.

 

Thanks, I think you're the only person who has tried to answer my questions. I am aware that the Brembo part number is supposedly correct for the 5th gen rear but the hub diameter is too large. Basically, the holes and studs all line up and the overall diameter of the rotor matches the oem one, but the inner diameter of the Brembo rotor is too small and simply will not fit on the car. Sucks for me. I could "trim" down the hub and make the rotor fit, but I'd rather ask people what they've been using so I know what will fit on my car.

The pair of Brembo blanks are for sale for anyone who wants to attempt to install them on their 5th gen or 4th gen - 4lug to 5lug conversions.

 

I would call Brembo and ask about the dimensions. perhaps they put the incorrect rotors in the box. You could also try another parts store rotors.

 

I have a 4th gen and there were two sizes - the Si was 3/4 inch larger in diameter than the regular ones. 5th gen is probably similar.

 

Ok, this statement confuses me...?

The 4thGen has two different sizes, yes. But the Si isn't not the larger of the two.
The 4thGen S & Si Models both have 10.2" Rotors, while the VTEC Model has 11.1" Rotors. All same Hub Size.

The 5thGen Base & SH Models both have the 11.1" Rotor, but it is a different Hub size than the 4thGen. And the obvious lug pattern..


Definitely weird that the Brembo's do not fit.. Is there any way you can measure the hub bore? There are other Honda's/Acura's with the same Lug Pattern and Size Rotor that have slightly different Hub Sizes, so maybe you some how got the wrong Rotor?
What does the box say?
And where did you buy them from?

Also, I have helpful specs listed Here.

 

OK, it's been touched, but the easiest method hasn't been mentioned. To get the rear calipers to compress, screw them in clockwise with a big flathead screwdriver (mine was 18" long with a 1" wide head). Once it is compressed, just use the C-clamp to HOLD it in place, not to compress it further. Some will say this step isn't needed, but if you compress the caliper and then take a smoke break, don't be surprised if it's not compressed when you come back. Like the others have said, once compressed, the rest of the job takes maybe 2 minutes.

Also, there was no need to open a valve or bleed anything since the piston will screw in with ease.

Now I have to agree that the small rotor in the rear does look stupid after looking at the size of the front rotor. But listen to the experienced ones and just leave it alone.

Sorry the Brembos didn't seem to fit. I too am curious what exactly prevented you from installing them. I haven't run into a problem like this because I get Napa's premium rotors for like $10 each (still never warped one).

 

This is what a rear disc brake piston tool looks like. You use it with a 3/8" ratchet and a 3" extension.


Lisle makes one, and every autoparts store has them they run $6-12 depending where you buy it at. Some people just use a flathead screwdriver or needlenose pliers to turn the piston in.

 

Why not measure your hub size and have a machine shop bore the rotor out to the right size? Since you already have the nice rotors and all...

 

Isn't that noticeable unless the wheels on the car are to big.. Why I stuck with 15"s and wouldn't get anything bigger than 16". I hate cars with a wide open space behind the wheel face.. Fill it up.

That's possible.. My on concern then would be what is the Width of the Rotor? If it's the same as the stock 5thGen. I know it's not A BIG DEAL, but just something to be aware of..

 

See my name? Guess what kind of wheels I have.

 

Um...? '98 SH Wheels? lol I dunno..
Kronn = Brand?? Or something?

 

Yeah SH rims are wide open. The different rotor sizes are very noticeable. Much more so than with saw blades or any 4th gen rim.

 

I originally used a large flat head screw driver to turn the piston back in. It was NOT easy, in fact, I couldn't even get the piston to turn. I will try buying the rear brake piston adapter and see if this helps.


Again, the rear hub diameter is too large. the rotor will not fit on.

 

Nobody really mentioned if the rear brake pads were supposed to fit in extremely tight. I doubt the caliper bracket could warp so much that pads would not fit in without force.

 

Based on the extreme effort you've had to use just to get the calipers and rotors unmounted, I'm going to guess that the caliper is siezed, possibly from rust/dirt. When a hammer is required for a brake job, you can pretty much assume that nothing else is gonna go smoothly. You might be replacing calipers soon.

Either the rotor is not the correct size or your hub is not the correct size. I'd take the rotor to a parts store and compare it to one of theirs. If it's different, return the rotor and get the correct ones.

 

Final update:
My dad went to a VIP auto parts store and picked up generic rotors for the rear of my lude. Came in a white box with 5 different brand names on it. In any case, they fit, where the Brembo blanks did not. I should have returned them but it's been way past 30 days. I filed down the sides of the axxis pads on one side of the car since the caliper bracket won't fit them. I bought and used the tool mentioned above to turn in the piston in. Without the tool, it would have been and was impossible to turn. Thanks for the suggestion. The other side of the car was much easier to work on except for having to drill out one of the phillips head screws holding in the rotor. I didn't have to file down the pad sides either to get them to fit in the bracket. I probably should replace those brackets but I'll save it for another day. Thanks again for those who provided help. I still have a pair of Brembo blanks model number 25686 lying around for any of you guys who are interested.

 

wow i never ever had to use that tool to push in my caliper piston, all i used is one of my old pads that i just took off and used a really big c-clamp to push it back in. I'v done that on my 95 gsr and my current 01 sh!!!