Hi Scotty & Scotty car community,
I have some concerns regarding the braking system on my daily driver 1998 Honda Accord LX 4 door sedan, 2.3L 4 cylinder VTEC, with last known mileage (November 2020) 183,43x miles, (odometer LCD broken & unreadable).
I noticed the past few months that my brakes keep making squeaking noises when I either have to stop abruptly or depress the brake pedal to gradually slow down before a traffic light, stop sign, or yielding to pedestrians and other traffic. Is it something with the brake pads, calipers, or rotors that needs to be replaced? I never recall having the brake pads replaced ever since I have the car for like 6 years now. I only recall my mechanic taking off the brake rotors and using a machine to shave it down a few years ago.
Also I am not sure if I should have the braking system fluids flushed and replaced, I feel my car does not stop quickly enough and I have to depress the brake pedal a little harder to come to a full stop. Many times (I know it's not a good idea), I would use my emergency handbrake to aid in stopping my car in time before I might whack into the car that may be in front of me. Even when I am fully stopped and I test the brakes by letting go and then immediately depress it quickly again (at 1-2 mph), the pedal feels very mushy and not very firm, and the car and my whole body does not jolt forward to stop quickly as normally expected. Could it be that I am low on hydraulic brake fluid again? I recall having that changed out a few years ago. I hope it's not a failing brake booster or any brake lines.
I know I have been putting this off a bit (bc I have my money tied to a project car my 1989 Nissan Sentra), but I know this is serious business and could be dangerous to myself and other motorists around me if I have brake failure while driving and if I keep neglecting these concerns I have on the braking system on my car, what would you suggest Scotty (and community)? Thanks in advance and take care.
P.S, I will have to upload a short video clip on youtube another time demonstrating my concerns and my car's braking.
-Daniel.
Many disc brake pads come with a "squeeler" which is simply a flat piece of metal that extends over the side of the pad that audibly lets you know the pad is getting too thin by making a screeching sound caused by that piece of metal touching the rotor.
Thanks for the tip. I took my car into my local mechanic earlier today, and he basically took the rear wheels and brake rotors off and made adjustments to my rear drum brakes. Now my car can stop quicker a little more, the brake pedal feels a little more firm, and the emergency handbrake is even tighter when I pull it up. I only paid him $20. So the oil change and oil filter replacement he did for me was complimentary. However I still hear squeaking noises a bit when I brake at slow speeds, maybe you are right it might be coming from the front disc brakes.
Sounds like you’re due for a complete brake job..
I’d recommend you change everything, pads, rotors, new fluids and have the brakes bled to remove the mushy brake pedal feeling.
Scotty recommends you use Akebono brake pads with good quality rotors (don’t use the cheapest).
You’ll find your brake fluid specifications in your owner’s manual.
Thanks for the tip @InThrustWeTrust, damn sounds like I should be buying a complete brake kit for my Honda before I start buying brake stuff for my 1989 Nissan sentra project car! My Honda comes first before the Nissan, since it's my daily use vehicle. Ouch, this might get pricey on the labor side. I'm sure I can find all the parts I need online.
Ask your mechanic for an estimate for a complete brake job. Once you have it done now, if you use good quality parts, you won’t need to worry about your brakes, probably for the next 5-6yrs..
I just took my car into my local mechanic earlier today, and he basically took the rear wheels and brake rotors off and made adjustments to my rear drum brakes. Now my car can stop quicker a little more, the brake pedal feels a little more firm, and the emergency handbrake is even tighter when I pull it up. My mechanic John also said to me I don't need to add any more brake fluid, because my brake fluid will go low if both the rear drum brake pads start to wear out. So i returned a bottle of Prestone DOT 3 brake fluid unopened back to AutoZone for a refund on store gift card and $0.76 in change. Mechanic didn't tell me to change anything, all he did was adjustments to probably tighten the connection on the brake system. Although he told me to get front and rear main crankcase seal for a unrelated separate issue with my car leaking oil from underneath and would cost a lot to do that.
Although I do wonder what would still be causing the now periodic squeaking noises from my brakes now, if it's not from the rear drum brakes.
Well, good on you.. Did he inspect the front brakes? Also, try AT-205 for your main seal leaks first. All the best!