How big a job is replacing brakes and rotors on 93 Honda Accord EX V6?

[leeland]

Got a Honda Accord EX V6...with 98,000 on it...

Car is due for the 105,000 mile maintenance soon...so about 2,000 dollars of work.

That is fine...we have planned for that.

The brakes in the back were changed about 2 years ago (pads)...the fronts...No....

There is an obvious shudder when stopping hard so I am pretty sure the rotors are warped and when I inquired about getting them turned I was told it wasn't an option.

SO...I am checking to see if I can get the parts online and not so much do it all myself...but try to keep the price down vs. going to the dealer and paying an ass load of money.

I have a connection that can do the work for a minimal cost (family friend mechanic)...I am just wondering if it is a risk to have someone that isn't a 'Honda' mechanic do it or if I should just take it in the shorts and have it done at the dealer. He is well versed in cars and works on all models so I am using an educated guess that he can get it done based on the fact that he is:

1. A mechanic and is a pretty knowledgeable guy (talks the talk and walks the walk)
2. Has an application suite that gives the layout of any car at his disposal.


If I can purchase the correct parts online (savings) and have it done cheaper by the family friend mechanic (win-win)...he helps me out and I pay him lol.

Thoughts? And if it is a decent option to get the parts online...what parts would you recommend outside of the rotors and the pads? I am sure if I feel comfortable enough he could just tell me what to get...or just get it himself...he isn't internet savy and might not look online for the best deal and just go to Joe's auto and order the parts though.

Should I get all 4 done at once or only the fronts?


Thanks in advance from a car mechanic noob (outside of general maintenance).

Lee

 

[cr2250]

2000 dollars for what 105,000 maintenance?
Timing belt should only be a couple hundred if thats what you mean by maintenance.
Brakes, couple hundred.

If the bill is gonna be 2 grand, you are either getting ripped off or need to dump that pos asap

 

[JulesMaximus]

Breaks?

 

[NutBucket]

There isn't a '93 Accord with a V6.....

 

[leeland]

There isn't a '93 Accord with a V6.....

whoops...I meant a 2003...my bad...I had a 93 honda civic before this car...

As for the 105000 maintenance it included some of the following:

Timing belt
New water pump
change plugs

I had the list of things they were to inspect and change out the gate...but it has disappeared...during our home move...and my wife just commented on the brakes which to me is a sign they need work since she never notices ANYTHING...

The convo with the rep I had was about the major things...water pump...timing belt...plugs...

and then some minor things...filters, oil change, brake check...which I know need some TLC...

Now I kind of feel like a dumb ass because I went on Edmunds.com


and entered in the info and it just shows 'inspection' for most of the things they talked about out right replacing...

http://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenance/results.html?year=2003&makeId=200001444&modelYearId=100502660&styleId=100144779&engCode=6VNAG3.0&transCode=AUTOMATIC&mileage=98000&zip=54956

When I had my 93 civic...they replaced the timing belt and the water pump at the same time because they said the water pump was leaking...(originally took it in for a torn boot on the axle...which then they told me about the timing belt...and then the leaky water pump)

And even if it wasn't they said it is 'standard practice' since it sits on or near the timing belt and if that pump fails it could damage the timing belt and thus damage the engine...

I guess if I don't NEED to take it to the honda dealer to get this work done and could take it to another mechanic I certainly would.

I have always done general maintenance to the car for up keep purposes(oil, filters, rotations)...but for anything major I have taken it in...

Had the transmission fluid changed at 60,000...had something with the automatic breaks fixed (sensor)...

Outside of that the car is solid...and want to keep it that way

 

[leeland]

Breaks?

Ahhh...ha...Ahhh...ha...

Yah I am a public school graduate....thanks for pointing that out

 

[cr2250]

Ahhh...ha...Ahhh...ha...

Yah I am a public school graduate....thanks for pointing that out

I'm a public school graduate as well

 

[leeland]

And I have to say this....

I posted this because I don't know...and if I sound like a total dumb ass it is probably because when it comes to things like electronics in a car and fuel pumps, timing belts on the newer cars I don't have a leg to stand on.

10 years ago I could definitely hold my own with my dad (ex-mechanic) on simple things...and understand the concept but that world is long gone for me.

The parts guy or mechanic could be telling me I have gnomes in my Injection system and they need to hire a team of gremlins to exterminate them and the only thing I could say is 'Thanks for wiping out the gnomes...glad you caught that before they got into the filters "

Kind of like old people with computers at best buy...I mean if you aren't in the know...how can you argue?

 

[thomsbrain]

I have a 2003 Accord V6.

First of all, a quality independent Honda specialist will do the 105,000 mile service for less than $2000. I paid $1400 in a high-rent city. That was the complete service: belt, pump, valve adjustment, plugs, etc. This is not a job for a shade-tree mechanic or some gas station ape, but it is not a problem for an independent mechanic who specializes in Hondas. You don't need to go to the dealer.

Second: Replacing the brakes on this car is a pretty easy and straightforward job. I have done both the fronts and rear myself, both rotors and pads. The only potential hangup is that the screws that hold the rotors in place are probably rusted in place. You may need to drill them out.

You CAN turn the rotors on this car, it says so very clearly in the official Honda Service Manual for this car that the dealership uses (I own it). However, you should still just replace them. I recommend replacing the rotors any time you replace the pads on this car.

For me, front pads and rotors lasted 120,000 miles with wear to spare. Rears are only good for 65,000 miles at a time.

 

[thomsbrain]

Oh yeah, change your transmission fluid every 30,000 miles, tops. Trust me. I do it every other oil change, but I climb a lot of mountains.

It's even easier to do than changing the oil in this car. You can do it yourself very easily. Use only Honda ATF-2 fluid.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Ahhh...ha...Ahhh...ha...

Yah I am a public school graduate....thanks for pointing that out

Cheers.

I'm also a public school graduate. Brakes aren't that hard to do yourself...even a public school graduate like yourself could do it. The question is, is it worth it to you to tackle yourself?

It's not expensive, it only requires a few basic tools and understanding, and a Haynes manual for your particular car. You would probably save yourself a couple hundred dollars in labor on this job but it will probably take you three times longer than it would a professional mechanic. I replaced the front struts on my car myself last year and the first corner I tackled took me about an hour and a half. The next one took less than half that time because I had the knowledge from doing the first one. It is almost never as straight forward as it seems in the repair guides.

If you pay your "family friend mechanic" and something isn't right can you go back to him to have him fix it? What's your recourse?

I was toying with doing the brakes on my car recently but ended up taking it to my mechanic because I just didn't have the time to do it myself and it really didn't want to put it off any longer. I have done brakes on a few different cars I've owned over the years and I have the tools and the garage. I just didn't have the time.

 

[Viperoni]

I was goign to say, forget about the service, sell the car before the tranny dies (if it hasn't already been replaced) lol

The only "hard" thing on your list is the timing belt.
Agree with the poster that paid $1400 all in, that's all it should cost IMO.

 

[leeland]

Thanks for the info guys....

My BIGGEST hurdle is time..I free confident I could do things like bakes (breaks ) but the other things like time belts, tension belts, plugs, and water pumps I honestly wouldn't 100% feel comfortable doing.

I will definitely shop around and take it more serious on what the costs quoted vs. the costs should be expected....considering the cost of labor these days on cars.


Thanks again!

Lee

 

[Howard]

You can do it yourself but don't post about it here - people will tell you you're going to be an involuntary (or voluntary) manslaughterer.

 

[Meghan54]

Thanks for the info guys....

My BIGGEST hurdle is time..I free confident I could do things like bakes (breaks ) but the other things like time belts, tension belts, plugs, and water pumps I honestly wouldn't 100% feel comfortable doing.

I will definitely shop around and take it more serious on what the costs quoted vs. the costs should be expected....considering the cost of labor these days on cars.


Thanks again!

Lee

Buy a good shop/repair manual----a factory repair manual is best----and read about the repair before even setting a jack down.

Then, do one side of your brakes at a time. This gives you one side to compare to the other if you get stuck as to how it's supposed to look.

Front disc brakes is one of the easiest repair jobs on a car you can do. The timing belt, not so much, esp. for someone with little to no wrenching experience.

 

[Vette73]

Brakes are pretty easy to do on that car.

Right now advance auto has a lot of coupons. Get a set of ceramic pads, rotors, and a repair manual. Even the most basic ones you get at parts stores will cover brakes enough to do.

Also use a coupon and get some Valvoline maxlife trans fluid. Do that for the next couple oil changes, drain and fill the trans. Should help it a lot.

 

[NutBucket]

I have to disagree on the Maxlife. When it comes to Honda, always stick to OEM fluid for best results.

 

[Vette73]

I have to disagree on the Maxlife. When it comes to Honda, always stick to OEM fluid for best results.

Might want to check out some Honda forums and even some Honda dealers.

The Maxlife trans fluid works as well or better than the honda stuff and does not darken like the honda fluid. Many dealers even use maxlife trans fluid now, esp in older V6 Accords.
I have put in in a lot of Hondas and have got good results.

Valvoline also has it listed that it meets Honda Z-1 specs written on their site and the bottle.

 

[Lotheron]

I have a 2003 Accord V6.

First of all, a quality independent Honda specialist will do the 105,000 mile service for less than $2000. I paid $1400 in a high-rent city. That was the complete service: belt, pump, valve adjustment, plugs, etc. This is not a job for a shade-tree mechanic or some gas station ape, but it is not a problem for an independent mechanic who specializes in Hondas. You don't need to go to the dealer.

Second: Replacing the brakes on this car is a pretty easy and straightforward job. I have done both the fronts and rear myself, both rotors and pads. The only potential hangup is that the screws that hold the rotors in place are probably rusted in place. You may need to drill them out.

You CAN turn the rotors on this car, it says so very clearly in the official Honda Service Manual for this car that the dealership uses (I own it). However, you should still just replace them. I recommend replacing the rotors any time you replace the pads on this car.

For me, front pads and rotors lasted 120,000 miles with wear to spare. Rears are only good for 65,000 miles at a time.

I'm thinking you weren't using the right tool. If you use an impact driver, there is a lot less chance you'll need to drill out the rotors.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947641000P

I used one on an 07 accord that, if we wouldn't have had them we would have had to drill them out. They came right out with the tool though.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Those hammer actuated impact drivers are IMO a must-have tool

 

[NutBucket]

Might want to check out some Honda forums and even some Honda dealers.

The Maxlife trans fluid works as well or better than the honda stuff and does not darken like the honda fluid. Many dealers even use maxlife trans fluid now, esp in older V6 Accords.
I have put in in a lot of Hondas and have got good results.

Valvoline also has it listed that it meets Honda Z-1 specs written on their site and the bottle.

I stand corrected.

 

[Vette73]

I stand corrected.

Well it has not been a VERY long time since maxlife was a good honda fluid. So many people still think Honda z1 is the only thing you can use. That and maxlife seems to work better so that is why I tell people to use that now over the honda stuff.

Now the rear diff hondas still have their own special fluid, Dual Pump 2. I have not found anything to replace that. It seems to be a cross between gear oil and trans fluid by the color and smell.

The last honda I worked on got Maxlife trans fluid and Honda Dual Pump 2 fluid for the diff.

 

[leeland]

Thanks a lot guys for the discussion I really do appreciate it and I have some follow up questions...

The main points I should be concerned with or want to get replaced during this major maintenance window...

I have the following:

Timing Belt
Water Pump
Most likely Front brakes and rotors
Any and all belts
Change Transmission fluid ( was done at about 60,000 miles)
(Oil change I do myself with Bosch filter and decent oil)
Air filter (do myself)
Cabin filter (never done...should it be done?)
Rear brakes (I had the pads done awhile ago...should I consider rotors as well here?)...at least I think they are rotor brakes vs. drum...
platinum plugs


drain radiator fluid? (never done and I have owned the car for 80,000 miles)
Any other specific items I should inquire or just add to the list?


Thanks again,

Lee

 

[Vette73]

^

The coolant should be changed as when you remove the water pump it comes out. :sneaky:

But to add thermostat, Rad cap, PCV Valve (cheap but overlooked), and I don;t think your car gas a fuel filter but look it up.

And don;t forget advance auto has coupons right now. So ordewr online for pickup and use the coupons for 33-40% off.

 

[Doppel]

The fact Honda still uses timing belts is one of the key reasons I didn't buy a used Pilot that was due for its $750 (dealer price) timing belt change and ,although I'll work on brakes and the like all day long, I wasn't interested in that labor.