For the first time since I got it new, at 67,000 miles I did the front brake
pads on my 2001 Optima yesterday.
I could not pry the old pads out! I had to beat them out with a hammer!
They were wedged in pretty good. I removed the entire pad holders on both
sides, sandblasted the clips and underneath them, coated all with some brake
piston grease, and man, what a difference! The pads slide in nice and
although I hadn't notices the gradual change, It takes half the foot effort
to stop the car.
The interference seemed to be a combo of corrosion (I'm in NY state) and
brake dust buildup.
This is probably a common issue, so I recommend having a GOOD shop do your
brake service. At a 50 dollar brake pad place, pepboys, etc, I am sure the
tech would've just hammered the new pads into place.
> Actually, Kia updated the pads and rotors and will update them for free if
> the vehicle falls into the production range where the older design parts
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> would not stand by their vehicles and they always made a solid commitment
> to making them better.
hyundaitech - 19 May 2004 00:55 GMT
The Kia pads come with the replacement shims and clips. You won't be able
to get them for $20, but the job is made very easy.
Hal - 19 May 2004 18:29 GMT
> For the first time since I got it new, at 67,000 miles I did the front brake
> pads on my 2001 Optima yesterday.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> although I hadn't notices the gradual change, It takes half the foot effort
> to stop the car.
I had a similar issue with my sephia. My original brakes were shot at
38,000 miles and the rotors were garbage(I sent kia a nastygram about
this demanding reimbursement for the rotors, never heard a peep). The
outboard pad was glued to the caliper and I had to pound it off just
like you did.
I'm not sure 'brake piston grease' is what you want to use on the back
side of the pads. Typically you coat the sliding pins with the special
grease(I use the red stuff that comes in a tube from autozone) and use
the anti-squeal glue on the backside of the outboard pad and on the
center section of the inboard pad. The whole idea is to prevent the
pad from rattling around and making expensive-sounding noises when
going over bumps at slow speeds.
Chris
Thom Davis - 20 May 2004 15:02 GMT
Sorry, not piston grease... caliper grease. Some GM stuff, it's looks like
petroleum jelly but it's sorta blue. And I used it on and under the clips,
the raybestos pads cam with nice adhesive backed anti squeal pads.
I'm happy to say that the slide pins were great - that was something I
always had to struggle to free up clean and lube on Honda's.
> > For the first time since I got it new, at 67,000 miles I did the front brake
> > pads on my 2001 Optima yesterday.
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> Chris
> The Kia Optima (a cloned Hyundai Sonata) does not have this issue. The V6
> version is a fine automobile on nearly every front.
The only beef I've had with the sonata is the cam and crank position
sensors failing(basically the wiring seems to just fall apart in your
hands when you remove them) and the rubber hoses that are just total
crap. A buddy of mine has had to replace the high pressure power
steering line and the main fuel supply line, the former because it
ruptured, the latter because the rubber was deterorating and left
alone it probably would have started leaking fuel.
Fortunately the car isn't all that difficult to work on so doing the
repairs wasn't out of the scope of your average shade-tree mechanic.
Chris
hyundaitech - 19 May 2004 22:18 GMT
I've seen several 2.5 V6 crank sensor problems, but wire quality wasn't one
of them, and this was primarily limited to 1999-2001 models. A redesign
of the crank sensor seems to have cured the problem. I've not replaced a
single cam sensor on a Hyundai Sonata since about 1997, I believe.
The power steering hoses and lines you mention have also been an issue,
but it also appears Hyundai has taken measures to prevent a second
occurrence.
This is why I think Hyundai compares favorably to American cars. Their
long-term reliability seems similar, but Hyundai is committed to improving
their product when they find a problem. American manufacturers haven't
convinced me they do the same.
Thom Davis - 20 May 2004 15:06 GMT
> The power steering hoses and lines you mention have also been an issue,
> but it also appears Hyundai has taken measures to prevent a second
> occurrence.
been there, done that. At 62k, just as I was got into Myrtle Beach, at the
end of an 800 mi drive (thank god it was at the END) my high pressure line
busted a move near the frame. Of course I was bummed since I was JUST over
the 60k warr. I did the free roadside assistance, had it towed to KIA TIME
in North Myrtle Beach. The service was SPECTACTULAR, AND the great service
guy there put everything through under the warranty.
Hal - 21 May 2004 18:19 GMT
> I've seen several 2.5 V6 crank sensor problems, but wire quality wasn't one
> of them, and this was primarily limited to 1999-2001 models. A redesign
> of the crank sensor seems to have cured the problem. I've not replaced a
> single cam sensor on a Hyundai Sonata since about 1997, I believe.
I had to do a crank position sensor on a 99 sonata with the V6, and
when got the sensor out of the block the wires were showing signs of
deteroriation. I flexed them a little bit and the outer jacket fell
off, and then the insulation crumbled around the 3 wires inside. It
looked like the wiring had been damaged by oil contamination but there
was no evidence of anything leaking in the immediate vicinity.
Replacing the sensor cured the main complaint(stalling/momentary
surging etc).
Chris
i have purchased a 2000 model kia sportage. does it qualify for the updated
pads and rotors or was that only on the optima.
thanks
vmp
Lily Mae - 13 Sep 2004 18:19 GMT
> i have purchased a 2000 model kia sportage. does it qualify for the updated
> pads and rotors or was that only on the optima.
> thanks
> vmp
Hi VMP,
I did a search on recall Kia Sportage (plus the year). That should bring up
the recalls and other problems for your specific make, model, and year.
Good Luck.
Lily Mae