DIY Brake Job

[ptsmh73]

Originally Posted by ace

Just went into autozone today to take a look at the rotors (Duralast) for the fronts. Guess what, they were thinner than the OEM honda rotors. It's too bad that none of the auto parts store had anything other than "made in China" rotors with very little warrantee. I guess the pilot will sit for a little bit until I can get some Brembo blanks ordered.

Ace

NAPA has an "ultra premium" rotor with lifetime warranty for about $75. I have these on our Odyssey and they work just fine.

Store Locator | NAPA Online

I believe NO rotors are made in USA anymore.

[Willard]

Originally Posted by warranty

By the way, it seems that the 05+ Acura MDX's (our Pilots' cousins) have two-piston front brake calipers but with the same exact rotors (11.8" front rotors). Interesting huh?

As well as the Ridgeline. I have plans to source a set of newer (dual piston) front calipers when it is time or replace my front pads. The current pads are still the original units (108k miles/~25% left).


The rear pads on my Pilot wore incorrectly due to either sticky caliper guide pins or friction between the pad tabs and the caliper bracket plates. Either way I had to toss them (3 of them still had ~30% life left) and replace with new nissin units.

I highly suggest that everyone check their brakes and preform a nice wire brush/cleaning job on the pad tabs and caliper bracket plates (front and rear) to prevent poor/uneven pad wear.
It is also a good ideal to clean and lubricate the caliper guid pins to ensure smooth operation.

My front pads are currently worn at a slight angle. The twin piston calipers will help prevent that (as long as things are clean and slide as they are designed to).

[mikemcm]

Originally Posted by Willard

It is also a good ideal to clean and lubricate the caliper guide pins to ensure smooth operation.

This is especially true in places with lots of snow/salt.
I had two seized calipers on my crv, very expensive repair. I'll be sure to do this on my pilot. What do people recommend to lube the sliders?

[carguy07]

This stuff has been good to me. Buy the big bottle and it will last forever.



http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut...per_Lube_1.htm

[capt2455]

Hey - this thread has some really valuable information - I just thought I'd add a few notes based on my recent experience. I have an 07 Ex-L with 68k miles. I went with ATE brand rotors and Hawk EPS pads from a well known tire website - $250 - fronts only. Big issue with removing the old rotors. Apparently, the inner circumference of the rotor rusted and "expanded" behind the hub ... and I did not know any better - so I kept on tightening the two bolts that you use to help free the rotor from the hub until the darn rotor cracked. I ended up removing (with the help of a chisel) all of the front material that the lugs go through - and still could not get the rotor off. So - here is the trick - borrow rent or buy one of those puller tools. Apply even pressure and tap the rotor with a ballpeen hammer and alternately tighten and tap. The first rotor took me 4 hours because I did not have the puller tool. (My neighbor came over with it after he heard me beating the crap out of the first rotor with 2 lump hammers) The second one took 15 minutes since I knew what was going on with the rust behind the hub. Patience and a whole lot of WD-40 got the job done!!

[hungt]

I just got my brake pad and rotor turned (front/rear) on 07 pilot. Now when I brake hard, I could hear a wobbling noise coming from the rear right before stopping.
Any idea what this could be?

[ptsmh73]

Originally Posted by hungt

I just got my brake pad and rotor turned (front/rear) on 07 pilot. Now when I brake hard, I could hear a wobbling noise coming from the rear right before stopping.
Any idea what this could be?

Could be several things including, but not limited too; new pads breaking in, rotor not fully seated or slightly out of line (were there shims under old rotor or pads?), new pads not seated or installed incorrectly (e.g., clips not fully enganged), caliper not tightened completely, or other things. Best thing would be to disassemble and closely inspect. Good luck.

[hungt]

Thanks pstmh73, will look into in..

[takepic]

Can you please explain what is ment by Step 5 of the service manual page: "Do the minor adjustment procedure." ?

[IMG]C:\Users\vostro\Pictures\honda brake photo from manual 1.jpg[/IMG]

[carguy07]

Originally Posted by takepic

Can you please explain what is meant by Step 5 of the service manual page: "Do the minor adjustment procedure." ?

[IMG]C:\Users\vostro\Pictures\honda brake photo from manual 1.jpg[/IMG]

Can't see the pic, but I would guess you are talking about the parking brake. A minor adjustment is using the adjustment nut that is inside the car where the parking brake pedal is. A major adjustment is when you release the slack in the cable and adjust the brake shoes with the star through the rubber plug, then take up the slack in the cable from the inside.

[takepic]

hey thanks, i got it now. the minor adjustment refers to the parking-brake pedal adjustment, and the major adjustment refers to the rear-disc adjustment.

[KaHOnas]

My wife took our '04 to the dealer for an oil change (they're one of the best prices in town, believe it or not) and during their 1,042-point inspection, they discovered the pad linings were worn down. They told her that they wouldn't last until the next oil change and tried to get her to get them taken care of. She called me and I told her I would get to it this weekend.

I found this thread and what a great source of info. I'm a helicopter mechanic and do all my own auto work, but this is the first ABS job I've had to do. I wanted to make sure that I was prepared for any sort of peculiarity that would arise.

Well, I dug in and found the linings were fine. I mean, really. Fine. There was about 4-5mm of lining left on the inner and outer on both sides. Should I have them changed anyway? There seems to be plenty of life left in them.

[cofetym]

I think the dealership is right on this one, I'd do a pad slap now. Otherwise you'll probably end up forgetting and end up having to turn the rotors.

[Sunday Rider]

Originally Posted by KaHOnas

My wife took our '04 to the dealer for an oil change (they're one of the best prices in town, believe it or not) and during their 1,042-point inspection, they discovered the pad linings were worn down. They told her that they wouldn't last until the next oil change and tried to get her to get them taken care of. She called me and I told her I would get to it this weekend.

I found this thread and what a great source of info. I'm a helicopter mechanic and do all my own auto work, but this is the first ABS job I've had to do. I wanted to make sure that I was prepared for any sort of peculiarity that would arise.

Well, I dug in and found the linings were fine. I mean, really. Fine. There was about 4-5mm of lining left on the inner and outer on both sides. Should I have them changed anyway? There seems to be plenty of life left in them.

Since you are used to doing maintenance on way higher tech stuff than the Pilot, I would go with your inclination to leave them in until the next oil change. I was wondering why you don't do your own oil change. The pilot has to be one of the easiest vehicle to change oil on. Also do your own tranny and VTM changes. Those are all easy as well. Did you check your rear brakes?

Since I have to put on snow tires in the fall and take them off in the Spring, I always get a chance to check the brakes. If I had 4-5mm, I would leave them. But check them in the summer for sure.

Cheers,

[KaHOnas]

Originally Posted by Sunday Rider

I was wondering why you don't do your own oil change. The pilot has to be one of the easiest vehicle to change oil on. Also do your own tranny and VTM changes. Those are all easy as well.

Well, honestly, it costs just about as much to have them do it. Plus, they throw it through their car wash. Odd, I agree, since I do all the oil for my other vehicles (my car and 2 motorcycles). Now that the Pilot is no longer under warranty, I'm probably going to start doing my own. I find it therapeutic.

I'm glad you brought up the VTM; that's about due for some attention. The xmsn is good.

As far as the rear brakes go, I checked them about 5000 miles ago and they, too, had all sorts of meat left. But, while I'm thinking about it, I'll probably get in there tomorrow and just check. Can't hurt.