I've read the two tutorials, but have two questions.

Replacing the brakes on my girlfriend's 1996 Accord. Not going to lie, it sucks.

I started with the rears and compressed the piston by turning it all the way I could. With the new rotors and pads, I can't move the tire by hand. It can drive, but you can smell the brakes. Will they wear in? I used a screwdriver and turned the piston in what seemed like a hundred times, but it was still snug. I also matched the slots so the pad can fit in like it should. Did I miss something? There just doesn't seem to be enough room to cram all the new rotors and pads in there.

For the front, I need to take the wheel bearing, steering knuckle, CV shaft, and a whole bunch of other **** to replace the rotors. Now, I'm a fairly competent home mechanic, but is this one of those dealios where I can save myself 8h of frustration and busted knuckles by just having some other poor soul do it? I build 4x4s and drive an old one ton Ford, so this whole realm of tiny cars is rather new to me. =P

Thanks.

 

the front brakes are sort of like ford broncos. take the wheel off, take lower ball joint and axle nut off, pull the axle out, take the caliper and bracket off the knuckle and out of the way. then on the back side of the knuckle unbolt the hub and knock it out (often slightly stuck due to dust/rust) then take the bolts off the front of the rotor and slide it off the hub assembly.
its harder than it sounds if you ask me. if you can work on the messed up ways that old fords are built this should be easy.

 

Seems like you did not screw the caliper piston in all the way. How close to flush did the piston get? You need to keep pressure on the piston while turning it to get it to screw in. If the parking brake is never used the screw jack on the adjuster may be seized up. Did you leave the bleeder nipple open? This will help ease compression, the fluid in the caliper is usually toast when it's time to change the pads unless the brakes are normally bled.

 

I think I need to get the piston in more. I ordered the tool to do it; it will be here this afternoon. I didn't crack the bleeder, I just took the cover off the reservoir. I was going to make a tool, but for $8 what the hell. Last time I had to buy a special socket for my F250's hubs and it was $66.

Glad this is my last girlfriend. Each one before her I had to buy special tools to fix their cars. haha