Replacing brakes on an '01 Accord

[MoparDak05]

Well, my brakes started singing to me the other day, so i checked out the pads and they are rather worn. I will be replacing both the pads and rotors myself and wanted to know if anyone has had any experience replacing the brakes on this generation of Accord.

I have tried searching for a solid DIY online, but everything I come up with seems to be different from the last one I read. Everywhere from press-on rotors to needing an impact driver to get a couple screws out. I replaced the brakes on my civic without issue, but these may be a little different.

It is an '01 Honda Accord EX 4cyl Coupe with 4-wheel disc brakes. Thanks in advance!

P.S. If anyone wants to know, I bought Duralast rotors and Duraslast Gold Cmax pads.

 

[ryan2022]

Are the newer accords rotors held on with the small set screws, or are the bolted on, with the wheel bearing pressed in like the 94-97's?

Check for the bolts holding the rotor on. If yours have set screws like the civic, your in the clear, and should be fine.

Good luck.

 

[Jimmy9190]

I did pads on my girlfriend's 03 Accord EX, and it was the easiest car I have ever put brake pads on. I didn't take the rotors off, I just used some emery cloth on them while they were on the car. IIRC they had 2 or 3 phillips head screws holding them on. If so, you may very well need an impact driver to remove them.

 

[mechtech2]

They are all a little different.
It's no big deal to tear into it and find out what you specifically need . You can always button her up and gt parts or tools.
Clean the rotors off really well with brake cleaner first. Lube all sliding surfaces and the caliper pins.
And use a bit on the wheel/hub/rotor faces.

 

[MoparDak05]

I appreciate the responses! At this point, I am texting people trying to find someone who has an impact driver (just in case). Hopefully, they won't be too hard to take off.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Harbor Freight probably has an impact driver for a good price. It would be OK for occasional use but not a tool to be used every day. You never know, the screws just might come out with a good turn of a quality screwdriver too. Or if they are too tight to turn you can whack the screwdriver handle end with a hammer and they might loosen up.

 

[bigmike]

Screwdriver, hammer, and vise grips for the screwdriver "handle." I've done that a time or two.

 

[Schmoe]

Pre-soak the screw with penetrating oil first, especially where your at, Ohio, probably have lots of corrosion in there from all the salt from winter time. The whole caliper comes off really easy. Look for the two big bolts on the back of the caliper mount and take them off, you'll need a 1/2 inch drive with an extension, those bolts are HARD to take off. You'll also need a stool or something to rest the caliper on when you take it off the disc. The only thing attached to the caliper at that time is the hydraulic line, don't put tension on that!! I'd take the rotors have and have them checked. Also, the caliper in the rear has to be turned while pressing the piston in at the same time if putting new pads on. That generation Honda, the 6th, will eat rear pads quicker than front pads. I think Honda has a 60 back/40 front ratio on their 4 wheel disc brakes to keep the car from nose diving while breaking heavily.

 

[fdcg27]

A cheap impact tool will back those set screws right out.
Mine is from Odd Lots from years ago, and when you need it, it works just great.
The lean real hard into the screwhead with a screwdriver and turn the screwdriver with a pair of vice grips method also will work.
The thing is that if you really bugger the head, you'll be screwed (good pun?) and will then need to buy the impact tool anyway.
If it is bad enough, you might have to drill or grind the screwhead off, which will be a gauranteed PITA.

 

[PandaBear]

Those screws are there to hold the rotor in place for manufacturing processes. A lot of people just drill them out and never install them again. I'd not worry about it.

 

[Vikas]

For some reason, my mechanic always insists on putting those screws back on the rotors. He told me that it minimizes the chance of rotor warping. I do not believe him. I suspect that it is his way of assuring the job security

- Vikas

 

[MoparDak05]

Thank you all for your input! I started on Friday and I was able to get my back brakes done and on Saturday I did the front brakes. It took some time and I had to heat up the screws in the rotors with a torch, but I got them out. I bought an impact driver from Auto Zone for $10 but it promptly broke (I returned it the next day). Luckily, my girlfriend's father (whose garage I was using) had a good quality one I was able to use.