Brake diagnosis HELP meeee (long but please?)

[Desibabu345]

Hey guys.
This isn't exactly a DSM question, it's for my sisters 99 Accord V6 Sedan. Here's the background info. A few days ago my dad took it in to get the brakes done. He had all 4 sets of pads changed, and the front rotors resurfaced. But he didn't have the rears resurfaced bc they said they were too thin and would need replacement. Being the cheap ass that he is he chose not to get it all done now and just wait some time. Well anyways the next day my sister was driving around and while driving this horrible loud screeching sound starting coming, and i mean LOUD. People were staring at her car because of the sound(she doesnt like being embarassed publicly).
Well anyways yesterday I went out with her to drive it and check it out and the sound was MUCH softer, and only came on at times. So it MAY be going away, but im not sure at all (we're not driving it anymore for sake of preventing further damage). Anyways here's the problem. We took it back to the shop in hopes of bitching at them. They checked up the car and THIS is what they told us (here's where I need you guys help in telling me if everything they're saying is legit or not). They said that the rear rotors are VERY thin (and I can see that its true, theres a lip on the edge from the border extending past the rotor's thickness) and since they're that low the calipers have become relatively ineffective in the rears, causing the front to work that much harder, making them heat up a lot more, and thus the metal is expanding and the pads are like rubbing on the rotors during normal driving - hence the squeaking). And then they said that the right rear caliper has started leaking bc of the rotor being so thin and it having to work so much. And since its leaking fluid the pads need to be changed again when the rotors are or else they'll fall apart. So some of this stuff does make sense but some seems farfetched to me.
Do you guys think it's all legit? They're charging us like 600 more (plus the 200 already spent) to change 2 rear rotors, 4 new pads, and one new caliper, and the usual bleed/refill. We need to give it to them by tomorrow or the day-after so I'd REALLY appreciate some good responses and thoughts. Thanks a lot guys I really hope you can help me.

 

[nutshot]

Yes, they are probably right. I don't see the car, or the brakes in front of me, but based off the info you gave, it sounds legit.

You have opposable thumbs, do you own a lug wrench, wrenches and a basic ratchet set? If you can answer yes to the above questions, why would you pay a shop to change the rotors? Yes, you need a new pair of rotors. Yes, you may need a new pair of calipers.

Take the rear wheel off (lift the rear of the vehicle with a jack and place a jack-stand on a sturdy spot first). Unbolt the caliper. Remove the rotor. Place the new rotor on (buy one from a local auto parts store and have a competant shop machine it). With a wrench, loosen the brake line and remove it from the caliper (put a condom over the brake line and tighten it with a zip tie to save yourself a huge mess). Attach the brake line to the new caliper (remove condom). Bolt the caliper in. Re-attach the wheel. Remove the jack-stand and jack. Repeat process on other side. When both sides are complete, bleed the brake system with the help of anyone capable of pumping a brake pedal. Drive the car.

 

[Desibabu345]

Oh cool so I don't need to worry about them screwing us on the wrk required.
Dammit I agree then - Thats what I told my dad to begin with that I could do it, I do my own brakes, but they don't trust me when it comes to other cars (seeing all the little DIY's I do to my own). But yea I'm gonna do it then. Thanks a lot man!
Sid

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by Desibabu345
They checked up the car and THIS is what they told us (here's where I need you guys help in telling me if everything they're saying is legit or not). They said that the rear rotors are VERY thin (and I can see that its true, theres a lip on the edge from the border extending past the rotor's thickness) and since they're that low the calipers have become relatively ineffective in the rears, causing the front to work that much harder, making them heat up a lot more, and thus the metal is expanding and the pads are like rubbing on the rotors during normal driving - hence the squeaking). And then they said that the right rear caliper has started leaking bc of the rotor being so thin and it having to work so much. And since its leaking fluid the pads need to be changed again when the rotors are or else they'll fall apart.

Aw, horseshit. The rears don't do any damned work in the first place, all the weight's up front, and it gets worse under braking during weight transfer. Find a pal around there who can do the brakes for you, this isn't rocket surgery. Replace the seals in the rear calipers. You don't need to worry about the wear on the rear disks unless they're wharped.

What an incredible load of crap.

 

[Desibabu345]

So hey Defiant - you're saying the rotors are fine? They are pretty thin from what I can see. So what do you think actually needs to be changed? Just the seals in the rear calipers? Thanks again,
Sid

 

[BUCK]

Aw, horseshit. The rears don't do any damned work in the first place, all the weight's up front, and it gets worse under braking during weight transfer. Find a pal around there who can do the brakes for you, this isn't rocket surgery. Replace the seals in the rear calipers. You don't need to worry about the wear on the rear disks unless they're wharped.

The "D" man has SPOKEN - I love that kinda talk...

 

[jott5555]

alright what you need to do it replace the rear disks, yor front brakes arnt going to heat up to the point where your makeing some jacked up sound.

i bet that sound is a rotor rubbing aginst the shield for the rotor, if you are loseing fluid (check first dont ever trust a shop) pull the caliper(s) in the rear get a rebuild kit (cheaper than a new caliper) and rebuild the thing

i you reffer to your chiltons manuel then it will tell you how to bleed a break system.

time for a over view REPLACE THE REAR DISKS, put new pads on. if you are leaking fluid find the caliper that doing it rebuild it reinstall it and bleed the brake system. then inspect every wheel and see which rotor is rubbing aginst the dust shield

that should be it,

dont ever let a shop touch your car, unless its your shop

 

[Desibabu345]

GODDAMN I LOVE YOU GUYS. HAHA seriously though yea I'm gonna jack it up today and do some of my own looksee. It's kinda funny the moment we were lost I thought of dsmtuners and knew someone would be able to help me. Thanks again guys!