EGDXSedan.

Getting the car ready for an northern Indiana winter, I will NEED to stop on time. Just got some fresh M+S tires put on. Looking for OEM performance.

I am no novice to doing brakes, I have done them on this car since I have first bought it. I just want a second opinion on a few things. The back brakes need done as do the front ones. On the front right the caliper is sticking so I plan on replacing it. The rotors are pretty new and have only been through 1 set of pads so I plan on keeping those. I need shoes for the back, a spring kit(duh), new drums, right caliper, and pads.

-Loaded calipers, good deal or no?
-Would you recommend replacing both of the front calipers at the same time?
-Anyone know of any "full package" deals i.e. shoes all around pads all around?

 

i just replaced my rear drivers side caliper (integra swap) on my 96 ex because it was sticking. 2 months ago i replaced both of my front calipers, rotors, pads, and brake hoses. if you really want to stop, my advise would be to replace both front calipers for loaded calipers. keep your stock rotors but upgrade the pads to a performance pads (those all work but research performance daily use pads). the best thing ive ever done to my car was my rear disc swap from an integra. since you have an eg, the easiest swap for you would be from a sedan ex (same body style as yours). there are plenty of write ups on how to do this but basically what you would need is: both rear trailing arm assemblies (trailing arms, hubs, rotors, calipers, camber arms, etc) from your body style ex sedan with discs, new brake hoses, new rotors, (check calipers), new trailing arm bushings (because the old ones are always bad, i recommend energy suspension brand), and the ex sedan emergency brake cables, and the proportioning valve. the swap is fairly straight forward as far as how to install. just unbolt the old, and bolt in the new. if you want to keep your stock drums, either buy new drums or have your current ones turned at your local shop (usually 5-10 bucks each), buy a new spring kit and self adjuster kit (make sure you have the set and not just for one side), buy new shoes (cheap ones will work fine, drum brake pads last forever and the margin on how much you spend on the shoes and the quality of braking is very little). if you want better braking response from the pedal, swap out your old brake hoses with steel braided hoses. just make sure you really lube up those contact points on your rear drums and the slides on the front calipers. good luck.

 

If your not planning on doing a brake upgrade, then yes loaded calipers are a good idea. That is if you want to replace both. If your not doing that, then it doesn't make sense since you can't only buy 2 pads for just the other side.

As for brands, I highly recommend Centric Parts. They make all the stoptech stuff, but have many other levels to choose from. Their premium rotors come with a black e-coating to protect form corrosion, they have a fully machined face and come fully balanced as well. I just bought a set for my Integra for only $28 each so your Civic fronts should be cheaper.

Centric's loaded calipers come with their upgraded posi-quite brake pads. Pretty good pad and not very expensive. The fit & finish is excellent as well. Even their caliper hardware kits fit perfect. If you don't do the loaded caliper thing, you could always opt for the more expensive Stoptech brake pad compound. It cost more, but will have better grip and live at higher temps. Not worth it if you don't drive hard though.

Front:

Front Caliper Hardware = 117.40010

Posi-Quiet Metallic front pads = 104.02730
Posi-Quiet Ceramic front pads = 105.02730
Posi-Quiet Extended Wear front pads = 106.02730
OE Formula front pads = 100.02730
Stoptech Front pads = 309.02730

or

Posi-Quiet loaded caliper left = 142.40030
Posi-Quiet loaded caliper right = 142.40029

+

Premium Front Rotor = 120.40023

Rear (automatic has larger rear drums I guess):

Drum DX/LX Sedan A/T = 122.40009
Drum DX/LX Sedan M/T = 122.40007

Hardware DX/LX Sedan A/T = 118.40003
Hardware DX/LX Sedan M/T = 118.40007

Shoes DX/LX Sedan A/T = 111.05170
Shoes DX/LX Sedan M/T = 111.05460

If you search around on google with these part numbers, you can find Centric dealers with amazing prices. I just bought from StockwiseAuto.com with a -10% coupon "tjoos2011". They were already the best price before the coupon. Autopartsnetwork.com also has some coupons that work on more stuff than they are meant to in their "specials" section (ie: code "Timken" is good for more than just timken products). I think they have a -15% sale on Centric right now, but I'm not sure.