My car is almost 5-1/2 years old, 84,000 miles, and I'm still on the original brakes. Every now and then the front brakes squeak, should I replace the pads?

I can't do this myself, so I was wondering if it's ok to just use a local mechanic rather than the stealership (I would buy OEM pads and have them install them). Is there anything special they would need to know about Acura brakes when they install the pads? And do the rotors need to be resurfaced when you replace pads? Thanks!

 

I'd say your probably overdue to replace the pads.

Yes, you can buy the OEM parts and have another mechanic do the work.

Have the mechanic inspect the rotors to see if they need resurfaced or replaced.

 

Wow thats a long ass time on the original pads. i needed new pads and rotors at 30k.

 

Pads may occasionally squeal if dust or debris gets caught inside. You only need to replace the pads if they worn to the service limit or sqeal/vibrate consistently. If you don't know how to check the service limit, have a professional do it for you (or search on here for the step-by-step). Even if they sqeak occasionally, they still may be good. I have an 03 Honda Element w/ 80k miles that's still on it's original pads. They still have pleanty of thickness left.

BTW: Good job asking. Squealing or low brake fluid light is the first indication that your pads are wearing thin. Never top off your brake fluid if it's low. This is one of the warning signs, and you should have the system inspected if the fluid gets low...

 

Thanks for the replies guys -

When my Dad taught me to drive, he told me to step on the brake like there was an egg underneath, maybe that's why my brakes have lasted so long.

j1n do you have Brembos?

 

I got a quote from Rallye Acura for replacing the pads, and they want $485 for parts and labor! OEM pads for front and back are about $100 - what a ripoff!

 

My dealer quoted me at $679 for front pads and rotors /w labor!!!!!
I'm at $50k... first time it is being done I think ( i bought it @ 34k)
Definitely won't have them do it, but should anything be under warranty??? perhaps the rotors?

 

Buy the OEM pads yourself and call up a place like "Brake-Team" to see how much the install would be. You don't really need to resurface the rotors unless your getting shaking/vibratoin during braking, though they may tell you it's a must anyways...

PS: OEM pads include all shims and caliper grease. You should also get the caliper hardware kits as well (springs & slide-plates). This way there should be no additional parts required (provided rotors and calipers are in good shape).

 

For AT you need:
- 45237-S0K-A01 front pad retainer (x4 @ $3.50 each)
- 45022-SEP-A01 front pad/shim set (x1 @ $42.71)
- 43244-SG0-003 rear pad retainer (x4 @ $5.04 each)
- 43022-SEP-A00 rear pad/shim set (x1 @ $46.31)
Total parts price: $123.18

Prices are from AcuraOEMParts.com

 

94eg! you rock!

 

When you buy from excelerateperformance.com or heeltoeauto.com, both the rotors and pads, do they come with the retainers and shims or do i have to get them from somewhere else? Thanks!

 

As the pads wear, the piston(s) extend farther into the bores so the fluid level will continually drop, indicating the wear, but it is always a good idea to keep the reservoir, near, or at the full mark. As some reservoirs will hold more fluid than others, you don't want to chance running dry, and there is no way to measure exact pad wear with the fluid drop, so inspection is always the best method.

 

When the fluid level reaches the min mark, the "Brake" light on your dashboard should come on. This is a sign that your pads have worn down. Typically you will hit the pad squealer first since you would have to wear both axle sets of pads down to drop the fluid that low...

 

A poor-mans fix for the squeal...try running in reverse, get up to about 10 mph and tap the brakes a few times. This 'cleans' the pads a rotors and MIGHT get rid of the squeal. Obviously, do this in a safe place like an empty parking lot!

 

To add to previous post: Low fluid is a good warning sign for you to check your brakes, and is the reason I recommend not topping off the fluid. If you look in your Owners Manual, you'll see that they don't recommend topping off either. They just say to have the brake system inspected if the fluid gets low...

 

Question: Has anybody ever gone to Just Brakes? $99.99 for new pads and shoes and they machine rotors and drums and have lifetime warranty...

My brakes are starting to squeal more and I might need to replace them soon also. 66k on my car.

 

Yes, I got rear drums done on my Civic. They do decent work. $99 is including aftermarket pads and hardware. Personally I would buy OEM pads and hardware, and just bring them in for their labor if I was unable to do the work myself. OEM parts are extremely high quality, and made by the same company as the caliper they go in (Nissin, Akebono & Brembo)...

 

^ Thanks for info. And I assume these are the things I would need to bring them?

 

Are the retainers required? Not sure what they are.

 

went to just brakes for 99 and they voided the lifetime cause i didn't replace rotors/calipers on my 98 accord....due to the condition of the rotors/calipers the brake pads were going to wear out sooner so they voided the lifetime thingy....oh well. don't have the car ne more

 

That sounds weird! I've never heard of lifetime warranty on any Honda. Especially on brakes (a normal non-warranty wear item). Calipers are not supposed to be a wear item. Any lifetime warranty you have would apply to them weather you change the pads yourself or at a shop. Sounds like BS to me...

Yes that is right. Call in advance to see what sort of deal you can work out with them since you'll be using your own parts. Shouldn't cost the full $99 per axle...

The pad retainers are #13 in the first pic and #12 in the second. They are definitely a wear item and should be replaced when replacing pads. They are stamped steel surface that the pads slide against. They also act as light springs to take up slack in the non-squeezing directions.

 

Ooops, I typed it backwards. Pad retainers are #12 in the first pic, and #13 in the second...

 

At age 5½ years, you should also have the brake fluid flushed and changed if its never been done.
.
.

 

yeah i got brembos. there pretty damn expensive!

 

Thanks very much!

 

I can't seem to find the retainer part number for type-S. Is it the same part number (45237-S0K-A01)?

 

For the Brembos, it's part #8 shown below. You only need one of these for each caliper. It should be part number 45227-SEP-A50 "SPRING, PAD" $8.50 each.

 

Buy your pads online and go to a reputable local mechanic for install. Brake Pads are easy to install.

 

Thanks!