I have been reading that there are many problems with the rear brakes reaching their life by 15,000 miles. If this is true, then what is Honda doing about it? If they are not doing anything about it what can we do as owners to improve the life of these pads and rotors? Should I buy slotted rotors, better pads, etc? If you buy slotted rotors, can they be shaved or are you SOL when/if they warp? Do Accords still need to have their rotors shaved on the car? My '96 was this way, but not sure about the '08's. Keep in mind that this is a family car and I am looking for long life quality parts and limited maintenance.

Thank you.

Rick

 

Well, typically performance rotors (dimpled/slotted/drilled) are going to wear pads faster. I'm not sure if they can be resurfaced... I don't see why they can't.

I believe Honda adjusted the rear side of the combination valve to brake harder so the front end doesn't dive as much while braking. Without getting too involved in tinkering with the system, I would suggest learning how to change the pads yourself. They're a lot easier to service and they are not captured rotors like 97 and older Accords.

Typically, unless the pedal is pulsing, rotors don't need resurfacing and these days it's cheap enough to just replace them if they are pulsing.

I would suggest moving to a different pad than OEM. At our shop we typically use Napa's AdaptiveOne pads and our customers like them a lot. They are a bit spendy though, usually $50-100 a pair, but hopefully they'll last longer.

If that's more than you want to spend, semimetallic or ceramic pads wear slower than low metal organic or organic pads.

 

I don't mind spending more on brake pads or rotors if they're going to last more than 18,000 miles on the rear! That's what I've been reading lately on the '08/'09 accords about premature rear brake wear. Honda is aware of it, but not doing much to fix it. I'll end up using after market pads like you mentioned that will last longer than the stocks. Do Honda's still need to have the rotors shaved on the car?

Thank you again.

Rick

 

Are YOURS wearing down fast? Or is this just something you read about?

Yes, I've heard it too, but it really doesn't seem like it happens to ALL the Accords.

 

I think faster than normal. I looked yesterday and I'd have to say that they're about 40% worn at only 18,000. I will just put an after market high quality pad on there because there is no pulse in the brakes so rotors are fine at this point.

 

Like Finch said, slotted rotors would wear the pads faster. Seems like most car companies have been playing all kinds of games with brake pad material since asbestos was outlawed.

Softer pads make too much dust.
Harder pads are more likely to squeal.
Metallic pads wear down the rotors too fast.
There doesn't seem to be a universal magic material that's good for everything.

I've become a big fan of Hawk HPS pads after putting them on a couple cars now.

With moderate DIY skills, it's pretty easy to change brake pads. We can talk you through it.

 

Thanks a lot! I have installed brake pads before on my '05 4Runner and it worked out pretty well. I did them on my '96 Accord too. It should not be much different. I was looking at those pads you mentioned, but also EBC. I will look into that when the time is near. YES, these Honda pads put a lot of dust on the wheels! I read in Consumer Reports last night that the brakes got a poor rating on the '08 Accords. They improved them on the '09 - present. Someone was telling me about how they installed springs on the rear of the Accord brakes to pull the pad off the rotor a little more, but then I had someone else say they have the rear braked giving more pressure so the nose will not dip as much when braking hard. I'm not sure what to believe. I think different pads will do the trick like you mentioned. I'll stay away from the slotted/drilled rotors. After all, it is a family car. ;-)

 

I've heard good things about EBC pads, just never used them.

They won't be much different than the 96 Accord. You probably already know about twisting the pistons in the rear calipers. And the front rotors will be much easier since they're not trapped by the hubs.

Another reason for rear brake wear... With stability control, the car will be using the rear brakes one at a time during "spirited" driving.

 

that would put it between 40-50k miles for the life of the pads ,, that is about average ..

 

I have a 2008 Accord LX 2.4 and I am about to put my second set of pads on the rear. The car has 50K miles on it and I am very disappointed with the performance of the pads. When I put the first set on the rear aftermarket pads were not even available at the time the only place I could find them was at the dealer. With all the negative publicity Toyota is enduring at the time it sure would be nice for Honda to step up and address this problem.