Brake spring tool for Honda Civic??

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I'll be doing a brake reline on my kids 2009 Civic soon when she graduates and the car comes home in May. This model (LX) has rear drum brakes. I have ordered new shoes and springs for the job. It has been literally decades since I have replaced drum brakes. Will I need a brake spring tool for this job?
 
Yes, it will make it easier. You know to only do one side at a time, so you can see how parts are assembled.

I really hate drum brakes, disc brake pads are easy to replace.
 
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
I'm curious what type of miles on that car. Replacing drums brakes on a 2009? I still have my originals on my 2003.


She is being transferred out of town so I am doing new tires, serpentine belt, trans oil, brake reline, brake fluid flush. The car has about 65000 on it. That way all she has to do is change the oil & rotate tires. The car will be handed down to kid #3 in 2015. So my best guess is it will come back with 85-95000 on it.
 
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They make pliers specifically for the springs, but I never could get them to work right.

Take a large screwdriver and hook the free end of the spring to the shank. Now rest the flat head where you want the spring to hook and pry gently. Once you get it lined up, use a gloved (it could pinch) hand or another screwdriver to slide the spring down the shank into place.
 
The drums will last a lot longer than the front discs will. I'd be surprised if they needed replacement. I'd plan on making well over 100,000 before servicing the rears.
 
I have a 2002 Ford Taurus with 191,000 on it currently.
I'm pretty sure it has new shoes, but it has only had 1 drum replaced.

I have all the parts, and I am planning on doing it, new shoes all the way around and replace that older drum, once I have a nice afternoon to do so.

A lot depends on how much salt has gotten to it, but rear brake drums/shoes do last forever.

I've been doing a lot of research online. Google your vehicle type and "rear brakes" and you can probably find a video tutorial that someone has done.
There are several different brake tools, some specifically Honda. Most you can pick up individually for cheap, other's only come in kits.
If you can find a video pay attention to the tools they use.
 
I would go out and buy a cheap drum brake tool set from HF. They're not good tools but at least they are the right tools for the job. I also like to have a few old screwdrivers for prying etc and a pair of needle nose pliers.

You may also need some bolts to get the drum off of the hub. My '04 Civic needed M8 x 1.25 by 20mm with a 14mm head. Available at any hardware store for under a buck.

If you're going to cut or clean the front rotors when doing pads, also pick up a manual impact driver at HF for $7. It will be needed if the rotor set screws are stuck. You'll also need a hammer to hit it with, I used a rubber mallet. Use anti-seize when re-installing.

I usually prefer Wagner Thermoquiet pads for their low dust, for the shoes I guess you can use whatever.
 
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the Haynes manual says for mid to eary 00 civic's & crv's, to disassemble the rear shoe assembly, then re-assemble prior to hanging onto the backing plate.
I can understand why it says to do that given one of the springs is a hassle, even with the tool.
I had to try it myself.. it took longer to try and hang the completed assembly vs. hanging each shoe & connectign the springs.
 
Originally Posted By: JamesBond
I would go out and buy a cheap drum brake tool set from HF. They're not good tools but at least they are the right tools for the job. I also like to have a few old screwdrivers for prying etc and a pair of needle nose pliers.

You may also need some bolts to get the drum off of the hub. My '04 Civic needed M8 x 1.25 by 20mm with a 14mm head. Available at any hardware store for under a buck.

If you're going to cut or clean the front rotors when doing pads, also pick up a manual impact driver at HF for $7. It will be needed if the rotor set screws are stuck. You'll also need a hammer to hit it with, I used a rubber mallet. Use anti-seize when re-installing.

I usually prefer Wagner Thermoquiet pads for their low dust, for the shoes I guess you can use whatever.


I have the impact driver, impact wrench (2) and impact ratchet. Plus I have a set of spring pliers. I just need the spring tool.
 
Originally Posted By: bepperb
The drums will last a lot longer than the front discs will. I'd be surprised if they needed replacement. I'd plan on making well over 100,000 before servicing the rears.


If it were me I would drive them out all the way. But she may be a long way from home and I don't want to have to deal with it long distance or have her riding around on metal2metal shoes if they are worn out. I am pretty sure they are the factory shoes.
 
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Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: bepperb
The drums will last a lot longer than the front discs will. I'd be surprised if they needed replacement. I'd plan on making well over 100,000 before servicing the rears.


If it were me I would drive them out all the way. But she may be a long way from home and I don't want to have to deal with it long distance or have her riding around on metal2metal shoes if they are worn out. I am pretty sure they are the factory shoes.


They're probably still brand new....seriously.

You may want to get a #3 screwdriver bit (attached to a 1/2" socket) instead of an impact driver for the infamous rotor screws. I've found that a #3 screwdriver bit on a 1/2" socket works better than any impact driver, and doesn't chew the screws up.
 
Originally Posted By: Gabe
They make pliers specifically for the springs, but I never could get them to work right.


You probably never had riveted shoes. Most common brake spring pliers are made specifically for use with riveted shoes.

For the Civic, I recommend these two tools for replacing the shoes:
-dykes dull enough that you'd need to squeeze down with great might to cut 12 gauge bailing wire
-universal steel thumbnail
 
Some big long nosed vise grips are all you really need.

Also helps to pull the hub off. At least on a late 90s civic.
 
Originally Posted By: yonyon
Originally Posted By: Gabe
They make pliers specifically for the springs, but I never could get them to work right.


You probably never had riveted shoes. Most common brake spring pliers are made specifically for use with riveted shoes.

For the Civic, I recommend these two tools for replacing the shoes:
-dykes dull enough that you'd need to squeeze down with great might to cut 12 gauge bailing wire
-universal steel thumbnail


What in the world does any shoe bonding process have to do with a brake tool??
Where do you come up with this stuff??
 
Come up with what? The pointy side of the pliers goes into the rivet and the hook holds the spring......
 
I guess I wrote that in an unclear way. I meant the very common style of "brake pliers" that a typical tool salesman will likely hand you if you ask for a pair of brake spring pliers. This sort of thing:
41313d1205845394-drum-brake-pliers-help-lis-11260-lg.jpg
The pliers part of that thing is made for use with riveted brake shoes. Using other end, of course, it doesn't matter.
 
Originally Posted By: SuperDave456

I've been doing a lot of research online. Google your vehicle type and "rear brakes" and you can probably find a video tutorial that someone has done.
If you can find a video pay attention to the tools they use.


I did that yesterday and found a complete video on "Eric The Car Guy" on YouTube. Great idea...Thanks!
thumbsup2.gif
 
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