Not a big deal for you garage guys, but for the first time, I changed the brake pads on our 2005 accord.

It was about 200 times simpler than i ever expected it to be. If people knew that it was that easy, nobody would ever go to the shop for it.

The only question that came out of it was when I was changing one of them, I smelled this horrible kerosene/chemical smell when I was putting the caliper back on. I suspected brake fluid, like maybe i hurt the line or fitting somehow, but I couldnt find any leaks at all. Any ideas what that smell might be? Its even filling up the garage a little bit now that the door is closed.

To sound less moronic, im 99% sure the smell is brake fluid, but I cant find anywhere its coming from.

Is it possible when I was moving the caliper around, something eeked out and there isnt a permanent leak anywhere?

[Edited on June 27, 2009 at 3:22 PM. Reason : .]

6/27/2009 3:12:50 PM

more than likely, when you pushed the caliper pistons back in, the master cylinder overflowed, pop the hood and take a look, you will find your smell, spray it down with brake cleaner before it eats the paint off of everything on the firwall

6/27/2009 3:41:50 PM

and for reference, next time take the fluid in the master cylinder down to the low level before you start

6/27/2009 4:27:15 PM

haha one of my jobs when i was a kid hanging out w/ my pops in the shop was to sit there and watch the master cylinder when my dad pushed the pistons and holler if it was about to overflow

6/27/2009 4:59:25 PM

Don't forget to pump those brakes before you put it in gear and make yourself a drive-through garage.

6/27/2009 5:02:21 PM

fuck you, i took out three cars at the last shop i worked at after putting pads on all four corners and backin out in a rush

6/27/2009 6:35:58 PM

That was it.

Thanks guys! None of the instructions I read mentioned that, so its a good thing to know.

I still am really suprised at how easy it was.


I did pump the breaks before we went off on a test drive, I even made sure the emergency brake still worked as expected.

6/27/2009 7:06:09 PM

another satisfied customer

6/27/2009 10:57:09 PM

are there special tools you need to change your brakes? im interested in changing mine myself, but dont have the money to pay a shop to do it.

6/27/2009 11:00:55 PM

The only special tool I had to buy was a small part that let me turn the rear pistons back into the calipers, but it was really cheap.

It looks like this:

6/28/2009 12:40:03 AM

You either need the tool he showed or a c-clamp to press the caliper in. I usually open the master cylinder and put a shop towel in there to soak up the excess brake fluid.

[Edited on June 28, 2009 at 11:06 AM. Reason : ...]

6/28/2009 11:06:16 AM

I usually just use big pliers instead of the tool

6/28/2009 12:21:57 PM

yay we have a convert!

6/28/2009 1:38:52 PM

this is why you dont top off brake fluid. if the shit gets too low fix the problem

6/28/2009 4:47:22 PM

Would I have been able to use a c-clamp on the rear pistons?

Thats what I used on the front, but all the instructions I read said I needed the tool for the rear.

6/28/2009 6:34:18 PM

some people use a c-clamp and channel locks on the rear, but you did it the correct way.
They need to be compressed and turned in at the same time.

6/28/2009 6:50:56 PM

needle nose pliers or channel locks work too

6/29/2009 7:55:42 AM

Interesting. I've changed brake pads over 10 times and never once did i have the master cylinder overflow. Hell, I didn't even take the cap off while doing the work.

Interesting.

6/29/2009 10:54:17 AM

Quote :

"this is why you dont top off brake fluid. if the shit gets too low fix the problem"

Quote :

"Interesting. I've changed brake pads over 10 times and never once did i have the master cylinder overflow. Hell, I didn't even take the cap off while doing the work."

yeah, but do you top of your brake fluid too?

6/29/2009 12:57:54 PM

i use the big C shaped vise grips to compress pistons. works really well. just squeeze a little, tighten a little, squeeze a little, etc.

Some rears need to be screwed back in. i just use a big pair of needle nose pliers in the slot and rotate em in.

6/29/2009 1:11:53 PM

^^i only top it off as needed.

^All Hondas have the screw in rear piston. C-clamp won't do a damn thing.

6/29/2009 1:44:53 PM

I always used this thing for the calipers, but I've never had to change them on a Honda:

6/29/2009 2:06:41 PM

It won't work on a Honda. Also, I helped a friend with his Mazda 3. They too have their rear pistons screwed in. I think just about every car with small rear disc brakes made by Aisin has the screw type.

6/29/2009 3:33:02 PM

screw them

7/4/2009 1:38:32 PM