Hi all,

I since not so long am the proud owner of a 1996 Honda Accord Wagon.
(French-Build in the US)
I will be fixing it up and most likely enhance it's looks in the future.
These cars are pretty rare over here and am happy I found one.

Here are some specs:
Gearbox: 5 Speed manual
Motor: 2Ltr - F20B3
Brakes: Disc front and back.
Km : 250.000.000

My first issue is that all the rubber on the front and rear suspension are dried out and worn so I will be replacing all of those.

I will also be replacing the ball joints for the steering unit.

And one of the front bearings is worn (right side) so I got a SKF replacement bearing for that and will be replacing it.

Another issue I have when I did the road test and when they tested my brakes they said my right rear was breaking 50% less then my left.
The car has been standing still for a while and I now have changed the pads on it.

Can anybody tell me what can cause such a huge difference in the rear brakes?


Pictures will follow asap...

 

Bubbling in the brake line (instead of the fluid pushing the piston its making "bubbles" in the worn hose), air trapped in the lines, the calipers themselves.

Check the fluid, if it's dark/water in it/high in cpper content flush the whole system.
Look over the lines for visual signs of issues.
Have someone press the brakes while you look to find any possible bubbling.
if nothing is found move on to bleeding the brakes, noting any air regardless of which wheel it came from.

at last if that doesnt change anything, pinch the rear lines off from the rest of the system and remove the rear calipers and inspect them. If you plan on removing the caliper's piston(s) put a block of wood infront of the caliper and then blow hi-pressure air into its inlet. This will shoot the piston out and prevent you from making a rocket out of it. after all is said and done, whether you replace the calipers or not, bleed the brake system again. (You will also need new copper washers for the brake hose connection to the caliper, reusing the old ones can result in leaks).

 

The front wheel bearings on Accords last about 100K miles and then are pretty well worn. Replace both sides, and while you have the front end apart with the bearing out, replace the lower balljoints as well. As this is the only time you can easily get to the lower BJ while everything is torn apart.
With rear discs if the system has not been bled in quite some time(black brake fluid) there is an automatic adjuster inside the rear calipers that may stick or seize up.
Bleed the brakes first in the order of, Driver Rear > Passenger Front and Passenger Rear > Driver Front. The system is diagonally split.
Check for leaks, cracking hoses, and wet spots.

Verify that when the hand brake is OFF make sure that the lever(#24) rests against the pin on the caliper.


If the lever does not return to rest on the pin, make sure there is no corrosion causing the shaft to stick. If need be exercise the shaft all the way against the pin several times. If the lever does not rest on the pin with the hand brake off the self adjuster inside the caliper piston will not work.
If the shaft/lever does easily return to the at rest position check that the return spring(#25/34) has enough tension to do so. If not replace the return spring.

If the lever does return to rest on the pin, with the engine on and hand brake off, pump the brake pedal 3-4 times firmly. If the self adjusters are working they will take up the space required when pumping the pedal.

If the rear pad is not close to the disc with no hand brake or pedal depressed, and no leaks/new fluid, the self adjuster inside the piston(#9) may be seized and need replacement.

 

Thanks for those tips guys, much appreciated.

DLF, I will follow your strategy and some of the other tips I received.
I will be back home in about 2 weeks and keep things updated here when I can.

Mad Mike, Good tip on the balljoints.
I was going to do them all at one and guess you are right I best get another bearing too as the bearings are still the original ones.

I did not know about this 'self adjuster' and will check if it functions properly.
This also seems like a plausible explanation as to why it is not working properly.

Unfortunately I can not see the image you provided in the post,
not sure if it is the computer I am using here or if something wen't wrong.

Thank you both for your time and willingness to help me out.

 

Hmm, maybe this will work...

Do you see the attached image below?

 

Thanks Mike,

I can and it helps a lot.

 

Here are some pictures of the old girl.

She is presenting me with some new issues since the windscreen wipers do not stop anymore.
Every time I turn the ignition on they start working....searching for a fix as we speak...





Some other issues I am not sure what to do about since parts are non existent here in France (or Europe)

Was not there when I bought it.



Clueless what to do about this as I can not find replacement parts anywhere (world):

 

Anybody any clue where you can get these window rubbers etc,?

Also looking for right rear roof rack cover as shown missing in the picture above.



Here is what I changed now:

258.518 Km --- Honda Accord Wagon

Right Front Bearing: SKF VKBA 3250*

Right side lower Balljoint: TRW - JBJ 152

Front disc pads: BREMBO P 28 026

Rear disc pads: BOSCH 0 986 461 006

Tie rod end Left: MAPCO 19504

Tie rod end Right: MAPCO 19505

Control Arm upper left : DELPHI TC1043

Control Arm upper right : DELPHI TC1044

Rod/Strut, stabiliser rubbers and bolt set: TRW JTS 252

Oil Filter: BOSCH F 026 407 077

Oil: Castrol 5W40

Air Filter: BOSCH 1 457 433 970

Changed heating control unit on the dashboard

More to come but finally able to get the ball rolling again

*former owner told me the other bearing had been done before I bought it.

 

not sure if they ship int'l but majestic honda has all honda parts at great prices

http://www.majestichonda.com/

also has full layouts of components for reference

 

Thank you Sir.

Mike also pointed me in their direction and Rockauto,
I actually ordered new axles etc, and am waiting for them to arrive here in France.

 

Looks good! I'll be following

 

Finally received my axles (Surtrack)..ordered one of each side not to have to pay postage twice.

Changed the Axles, Power steering fluid, brake fluid, Air filter.
Oil and Oil filter will be done this week.

After that a Manual transmission fluid change/wash and she will be good to go for a while.

Had been struggling with some weird issues with my wipers which would start working as soon as I turn the ignition on.

After reading posts about all kinds of "fixes" non of which worked for me until I read about the integrated control unit.

I now have changed this and the wipers work again as they should.

 

+1 for majestic! Parts are usually cheaper through this OEM site than local part stores with junk components

 

right OEM or OEM aftermarket

 

Thanks again for all the help guys.


Forced to sell it due to moving to Brazil, it is illegal to import second hand cars to Brazil...

She has been sold to a Honda Aficionado..that is the only good news about it