How to Fix the Brakes on a Honda Accord

The Honda Accord uses disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear ones. The disc brakes use pads that need to be changed at 60,000 miles at the latest. The drum brakes use shoes that can require replacement, which is a much more complicated process. The brake calipers, discs and drums may also need fixing or replacing. Whether you're fixing brakes on the front or back end, you need to service both sides together.

Instructions

Front Brake Pads

1

Raise the Accord's front end on jack stands, and remove the wheels. Siphon at least half of the fluid from the brake master cylinder with a siphon or a clean turkey baster.

2

Inspect the condition of the caliper, and replace it if necessary. Disconnect the caliper's bolts from its mounting bracket, and remove the banjo bolt connecting the brake hose to the caliper.

3

Check the condition of the brake discs. Wipe away any glaze on the disc with an Emory cloth or sandpaper. If there are any grooves in the disc, remove it from the car, and take it to a professional machine shop to have it refinished.

4

Remove the brake caliper's lower bolt, and lift up the caliper to reach the brake pads and shims. Remove the front and rear pads, shims and retainers remove the pads from the shims.

5

Clean off the caliper brackets and lubricate the bracket's sliding pins using high-temperature brake grease. Apply a light coat of anti-seizing compound to the backing tabs on the shims and to the slots that those tabs go into on the bracket. Install the retainers and shims back on the caliper.

6

Press the caliper piston back into the caliper, using a C-clamp to press on the center of the piston. Make sure the piston's exposed area is clean first, using brake cleaner and a lint-free cloth. Don't force the piston if it starts binding.

7

Install the new brake pads into the retainers on the rotor, then pivot the caliper back down into its position on the rotor, and install the mounting bolt.

8

Place the wheels back on the car and lower it after changing the brakes on both sides. Refill the brake master cylinder to the necessary level.

Rear Brake Shoes

9

Raise and secure the rear end of the Accord.

10

Thread two bolts (size 8-by-1 1/4 mm) into the open threaded holes in the drum's front surface. Twist them each two turns at a time to remove the drum. Inspect the drum for cracks, grooves, excessive wear or any other damage, and have it resurfaced if needed.

11

Disconnect the hub for better access to the shoes. Insert a small, flat stick between the cylinder and rear brake shoe. Clamp locking pliers onto the backing plate at the rear shoe's center.

12

Detach all the springs in the assembly. The upper brake spring and retainer spring require a special brake tool or locking needle-nose pliers. Clamp on the spring where the brake adjuster meets the rear shoe. Grab the top of the retainer spring, press inward, and turn it 90 degrees to remove it. Hold the wheel cylinder pistons in place with a strong elastic band.

13

Remove the brake shoes, starting with the front shoe, brake adjuster and other components. Pull the parking brake's cable out of the rear shoe's bracket with pliers. Place the shoe in a vise to prevent the jaws from contacting the brake lining. Drive the U-clip off the pin with a chisel, and hammer and remove the lever arm.

14

Clean off the lever arm, lubricate its pivot point, and place it on the new rear brake shoe. Place the arm and shoe into the vise, and install a new washer and U-clip, closing the clip's open end with flat-nosed pliers. Install the brake cable in the rear shoe lever arm and the shoe onto the backing plate, using new springs and retaining pins.

15

Install the brake adjuster onto the new front shoe along with the upper and lower springs. Install the front shoe to the backing plate, while hooking the lower spring to the rear shoe. Secure the front shoe with a new retaining pin and spring. Remove the elastic band on the cylinder, and install the upper spring onto the rear shoe with the locking needle-nose pliers.

16

Remove all the locking pliers and wood stick from the assembly. Reinstall the brake drum, holding it in place with two lug nuts. Rotate the drum, and adjust the brake adjuster with a flat-head screwdriver until you hear a very light scuffling noise.

17

Place the wheels back on the Accord, lower the car, and tighten the lug nuts. Pump the brake pedal several times to set the brake adjusters, then drive the car slowly for 5 minutes, pressing the pedal several times going forward and backward to seat the shoes.