caliper bushings for 1996 Honda Accord....

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

craigsclarke@gmail.com - 07 May 2007 20:11 GMT

So, I need new caliper bushings for my 1996 Honda Accord. The mechanic
I just took it to told me that when replacing the caliper bushings I
also need to replace the brake pads (which I bought new ones two
months ago and the are currently in great shape) and replace the
rotors. Also need to bleed the brakes.

The damage would be $1,054.96. My jaw dropped to the floor at this
figure.

Is that right? Can I just replace the calipers (or the caliper
bushings) and nothing else?

I took it in with a very minor squeak/creak sound when braking, so I
am astounded by the estimate

Your thoughts/advice is much appreciated....

Reply to this Message

Scott Dorsey - 07 May 2007 20:40 GMT

>So, I need new caliper bushings for my 1996 Honda Accord. The mechanic
>I just took it to told me that when replacing the caliper bushings I
>also need to replace the brake pads (which I bought new ones two
>months ago and the are currently in great shape) and replace the
>rotors. Also need to bleed the brakes.

If the calipers are sticking, the rotors probably need to be resurfaced
or replaced.

If you're in there, you might as well replace the pads because it won't
cost any more.

>The damage would be $1,054.96. My jaw dropped to the floor at this
>figure.

That doesn't seem totally out of line.

>Is that right? Can I just replace the calipers (or the caliper
>bushings) and nothing else?

Maybe, but you'll probably be driving around with rotors that are out
of spec.

>I took it in with a very minor squeak/creak sound when braking, so I
>am astounded by the estimate

Have you by any chance been hearing the squeak when driving at low speed
as well?

>Your thoughts/advice is much appreciated....

I'd say get a second opinion, but what you describe is a typical scenario.
Who did the pads and why didn't they check everything in there in the
process?
--scott

Signature

"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Reply to this Message

craigsclarke@gmail.com - 07 May 2007 21:26 GMT

hey Scott...I really can't say thanks enough for your response.

Your two questions for me...I do hear the squeak/creak at low speeds.

Also, National Tire and Battery did the brakes a couple of months ago.
In fact, I took it to them the other day. They said they could find
nothing wrong with the brakes. Strangely, it was raining pretty good
that day and the squeak/creak wasn't really happening as I drove it
around that day to from NTB. They rotated the tires while I had it
there and that almost seems like it made the noise lessen, but it is
still there. Might be my imagination. When NTB could find "nothing
wrong," I took it to an independent mechanic today. Now, the
independent mechanic is a high end part of town (i.e. rich homes and
rich people) and has a really nice, spotless building. I have heard
they adjust their prices accordingly to match their part of town, but
don't know if that is accurate.

thanks again

> <craigscla...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >So, I need new caliper bushings for my 1996 Honda Accord. The mechanic
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
> --
> "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Reply to this Message

Scott Dorsey - 08 May 2007 01:27 GMT

>hey Scott...I really can't say thanks enough for your response.
>
>Your two questions for me...I do hear the squeak/creak at low speeds.

Then what is happening is that the calipers are hanging up. They are
not opening completely, and so the pads are _always_ scraping against
the rotors, even when you aren't applying the brakes.

This is why the pads and rotors are prematurely worn.

>Also, National Tire and Battery did the brakes a couple of months ago.
>In fact, I took it to them the other day. They said they could find
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>there and that almost seems like it made the noise lessen, but it is
>still there. Might be my imagination.

Nope, what you describe is a classic stuck caliper.

>When NTB could find "nothing
>wrong," I took it to an independent mechanic today. Now, the
>independent mechanic is a high end part of town (i.e. rich homes and
>rich people) and has a really nice, spotless building. I have heard
>they adjust their prices accordingly to match their part of town, but
>don't know if that is accurate.

Tell the mechanic that the guy at NTB didn't find any damage to the
rotor or pads and ask him if you can get by a little bit longer on
those rotors. He may tell you that you can put off changing them for
a while. Their lifetime has been greatly reduced, though.

Incidentally, if you had taken it to a better mechanic in the first place
he probably would have found the caliper issue while doing the pads, just
as part of a routine brake check that you do when you do pads. Finding it
earlier might have saved you the cost of the rotors, I dunno.
--scott

Signature

"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Reply to this Message

jim - 08 May 2007 01:50 GMT

> >hey Scott...I really can't say thanks enough for your response.
> >
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> not opening completely, and so the pads are _always_ scraping against
> the rotors, even when you aren't applying the brakes.

His first post said "I took it in with a very minor squeak/creak sound
when braking" He has never said it made a sound when not braking. But
maybe my crystal ball is a bit whacked.

> This is why the pads and rotors are prematurely worn.

He said the pads are "are currently in great shape". But I question that
assessment also. He should just pay the $1000 for all we know all 4
wheels are about to fall off.

-jim

> >Also, National Tire and Battery did the brakes a couple of months ago.
> >In fact, I took it to them the other day. They said they could find
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> --
> "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Reply to this Message

Scott Dorsey - 08 May 2007 15:27 GMT

>> >hey Scott...I really can't say thanks enough for your response.
>> >
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>when braking" He has never said it made a sound when not braking. But
>maybe my crystal ball is a bit whacked.

Right, but then I asked if he also heard the squeak at low speeds when
not braking, and he said:

>Your two questions for me...I do hear the squeak/creak at low speeds.

--scott

Signature

"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Reply to this Message

jim - 08 May 2007 16:35 GMT

> >> >hey Scott...I really can't say thanks enough for your response.
> >> >
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Right, but then I asked if he also heard the squeak at low speeds when
> not braking, and he said:

Here's what my news reader shows you asked "Have you by any chance been
hearing the squeak when driving at low speed as well?"

Now, he already said it the noise is heard "when braking" so I would
read your question to mean do you hear it when braking at low speed. He
probably doesn't hear it when braking hard at high speed.

It is possible, but I doubt he has stuck calipers. If anything, given
the information he supplied, it would be a good guess that the reason
the shop is telling him he needs new bushings because they are too
loose. But who knows.

-jim

> >Your two questions for me...I do hear the squeak/creak at low speeds.
> --scott
> --
> "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Reply to this Message

jim - 07 May 2007 22:27 GMT

> So, I need new caliper bushings for my 1996 Honda Accord. The mechanic
> I just took it to told me that when replacing the caliper bushings I
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> The damage would be $1,054.96. My jaw dropped to the floor at this
> figure.

I think you need to do a better job of describing the problem. What is
supposed to be wrong with the bushings? Its unlikely that the brake
squeak has anything to do with the bushings. But that doesn't mean there
isn't something wrong with the bushings. If the pads are in great shape
as you say (how would you know?) then the rotors and calipers are
probably good also. In that case the squeak is probably something that
just comes with the pads you had installed.
The real question is how do the brakes perform? When you apply them do
they pull to one side? Do they shudder or pulse? when you are going 70
mph and bambi jumps out in front of your car will they stop the vehicle
quickly and effectively (and quietly)? If you are paying attention at
all, you should be able to answer those questions. If not, then 1000
bucks is about right for being clueless.
I'm guessing the squeak is just something you hear when braking lightly
in stop and go traffic, but my crystal ball is a bit murky.

-Jim

> Is that right? Can I just replace the calipers (or the caliper
> bushings) and nothing else?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Your thoughts/advice is much appreciated....

Reply to this Message

Ashton Crusher - 08 May 2007 02:36 GMT

>So, I need new caliper bushings for my 1996 Honda Accord. The mechanic
>I just took it to told me that when replacing the caliper bushings I
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
>Your thoughts/advice is much appreciated....

My guess is that you don't really even need the bushings but that
most of the squeak is from the new pads. Unless the brakes are simply
not working right there is no way I would pay to have all that work
done because of a little squeak. I'd at least wait a few months and
then have someone else look at them again if they are still squeaking.
Brakes are a high profit item for these shops, it's easy work and most
people are scared about their brakes not working right. The perfect
repair item for maximum profits. I've never replaced a caliper in my
life but a lot of these shops talk people into replacing them every
20,000 miles for an assortment of bogus reasons.

Reply to this Message