1995 Honda Accord EX - Brake problems, many problems

Hi,

About a week and a half ago my (sold in late '94 as the '95 model)
Honda Accord experienced a brake failure. In the course of one
evening driving the the stopping of the car became increasingly
weaker, eventually causing the pedal to be pushed to the floor to
attempt a stop and even at that, the car slowly glided to a stop.
Definitely, a possible rear-end issue as it is takes a long time of
gliding to come to the complete stop.

Immediately, the car was taken to the mechanic. The vacuum booster
was replaced. Went to pick up the car and it would brake solidly, but
would have the problem of the brakes always being applied (sorta).
Driving the car would start out ok but sometimes quickly, and
sometimes after 30mins. or so, the brakes would grab and make it
difficult to accelerate or maintain speed.

Immediately, the car was returned to the mechanic and another booster
was tried. Same problems so now the master cylinder was replaced.
Still, same failure of the car braking semi-solidly on the first (slow-
down) brake pump but on the second (finish to a stop) pump, the pedal
goes to the floor.

Now, the mechanic is trying new brake pads with the thought that the
heat could have caused the pads to harden and not grab properly.

My mechanic is pretty much at a loss at this point. His suggestion is
that if the pads don't work, to replace the abs controller.

I'm afraid that I've already replaced parts (total cost exceeding $800
by now) that possibly didn't need to be replaced or that the abs will
be the next repair at an estimated cost of over 1k alone. Like many,
I am broke. Beyond this, I have recently put a LOT of money into this
car for other repairs. I've paid more for repairs in the last year
than the car is worth. Please help me put this brake mystery to bed
so I can put my empty bank account to rest.

Thank you, in advance, for your help!
Jos.

wrote in
ups.com:

> Hi,
>
> About a week and a half ago my (sold in late '94 as the '95 model)
> Honda Accord experienced a brake failure. In the course of one
> evening driving the the stopping of the car became increasingly
> weaker, eventually causing the pedal to be pushed to the floor to
> attempt a stop and even at that, the car slowly glided to a stop.
> Definitely, a possible rear-end issue as it is takes a long time of
> gliding to come to the complete stop.



So the pedal was spongy and soft? That's usually air in the lines.


>
> Immediately, the car was taken to the mechanic. The vacuum booster
> was replaced.



Bad decision by the mechanic. This was not your problem.




> Went to pick up the car and it would brake solidly, but
> would have the problem of the brakes always being applied (sorta).
> Driving the car would start out ok but sometimes quickly, and
> sometimes after 30mins. or so, the brakes would grab and make it
> difficult to accelerate or maintain speed.



Master cylinder pushrod was misadjusted. A mistake by your mechanic.



>
> Immediately, the car was returned to the mechanic and another booster
> was tried. Same problems so now the master cylinder was replaced.
> Still, same failure of the car braking semi-solidly on the first
> (slow- down) brake pump but on the second (finish to a stop) pump, the
> pedal goes to the floor.



Bet there's air in the lines. Or a fluid leak. Does the master cylinder
fluid level drop over time?


>
> Now, the mechanic is trying new brake pads with the thought that the
> heat could have caused the pads to harden and not grab properly.



What heat? My interpretation of what you've reported is that the brakes
aren't working. No work, no heat.

Besides, this "harden" thing is nonsense. He's making it up as he goes
along.


>
> My mechanic is pretty much at a loss at this point. His suggestion is
> that if the pads don't work, to replace the abs controller.



More than anything you need a new mechanic. This guy has no idea what
he's doing.

Your ABS modulator is a pass-through. It does not affect regular braking
at all until it's activated. Leave it alone for now.

Somebody needs to make sure there are no fluid leaks. Pull drums and
look at the cylinders. Check all the lines front to back. Check caliper
pistons. Make sure master cylinder fluid level does not drop.

Adjust the master cylinder pushrod. This can be done withuout removing
the booster.

Do a /proper/ bleed of the entire system (but not the ABS).

Brakes are not rocket science, and your mechanic is most definitely not
a rocket scientist. Find a better mechanic.

I suspect your system is full of air. And possibly you've got a badly
out-of-adjustment master cylinder pushrod with way too much freeplay.



--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/