[GIJF430]

Now, I know. This brake topic has gone on for a pretty long while now, and nobody wants to hear it. Also, some might say a new thread on this topic is useless because there are so many others just like it. However, when I do a search on this forum in hopes of finding some useful information, all I can ever find is other members bashing other members, so let's keep this thread as educational as possible, and try to find a solution to a problem that not even Honda can fix.

Anywho, I've excepted the fact that replacing brake pads every 30K miles will be apart of the car's normal operating expenses. I also know that replacing pads every 30K miles on all four corners of the vehicle (when only the inner pads are wearing unevenly because, I assume, a caliper issue, and since many people have replaced both the rotor and pads, yet still experience the same problem), is not normal, since the majority of my driving has been highway, and little to no stop and go traffic since I live in a small town in the middle of Kansas.

That being said, has anyone ever replaced the OEM pads with a ceramic set-up? If so, what was your experience? Is it worth the extra money? How much has braking performance, and the longevity of the pads increased? Does purchasing ceramic pads prove to be a solution from an economical stand-point (i.e. do ceramic pads not only outlast standard OEM, but is worth the extra money for how long they do actually last, as well as performance over OEM pads)? Or should I just buy the cheaper OEMs and replace every 30K miles...

Just a simple question, that's all. I figured the uneven wear on my inner pads is being caused by a design flaw in the caliper or where ever the flaw may be, but does a ceramic pad withstand whatever is making the OEM pads uneven?

Any information without bashing would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cdz12250]

I haven't replaced my pads yet and don't have any information to give you, but I want to commend you for your maturity. I hope you get your answer.

 

[force61]

Actually I believe the OEM pads on the Gen 8 accords are already ceramic. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. I found a set of ceramics for $16 less than what the dealer charges for the OEM ones. I figured if nothing else I'm not going to throw money at Honda for a piece of $ht design. Mine made it to about 24,500 before I had to replace them with about 85% freeway driving, and as everyone else describes the outer pads still had 50% life left while the inner pads were toast. :dunno:

 

[randyb]

i am not sure i have an answer for you but i have some useful info. my girlfriend and i have the same car(08 6-6) hers is two months newer than mine. i have had my front brakes replaced at less than 12k and the rears at 15k. i have now replaced my fronts and rears at 45k, now the info part... we both bought hawk front pads and i bought oem rears for hers. when we went to replace both her fornt and rear they both had at least half the pad left, so we left hers alone. she had about 30k at that time. so there is hope for not having to replace pads every 30k. now mine... i went ahead and replaced my rears and fronts(with the hawks) even tho neither one really needed to be replaced at the time and that was at least 30k on each of those. as far as the hawk pads go.... MUCH BETTER than oem. i can brake from 100 and no shimmy from the rotors. and the braking is much firmer and stops are shorter(not sure how much but noticeably). also, make sure you keep your receipts for the rear brakes you have replaced because there is a TSB coming out sometime this month(may). my service advisor told me honda would reimburse for all the rear brakes that have been replaced and there is a new redesign coming with the TSB.

 

[Accord2004]

Randy,

On the note of the TSB, is that for all accords? I have a 2004 Honda Accord Coupe.

 

[sullie]

i am not sure i have an answer for you but i have some useful info. my girlfriend and i have the same car(08 6-6) hers is two months newer than mine. i have had my front brakes replaced at less than 12k and the rears at 15k. i have now replaced my fronts and rears at 45k, now the info part... we both bought hawk front pads and i bought oem rears for hers. when we went to replace both her fornt and rear they both had at least half the pad left, so we left hers alone. she had about 30k at that time. so there is hope for not having to replace pads every 30k. now mine... i went ahead and replaced my rears and fronts(with the hawks) even tho neither one really needed to be replaced at the time and that was at least 30k on each of those. as far as the hawk pads go.... MUCH BETTER than oem. i can brake from 100 and no shimmy from the rotors. and the braking is much firmer and stops are shorter(not sure how much but noticeably). also, make sure you keep your receipts for the rear brakes you have replaced because there is a TSB coming out sometime this month(may). my service advisor told me honda would reimburse for all the rear brakes that have been replaced and there is a new redesign coming with the TSB.

Where did you order your Hawk pads from? I have a set on my old weekender '93 300ZX and they are excellent pads.

 

[SD70MAC]

)
Just a simple question, that's all. I figured the uneven wear on my inner pads is being caused by a design flaw in the caliper or where ever the flaw may be, but does a ceramic pad withstand whatever is making the OEM pads uneven?

When you change out your pads re-grease the caliper pins so they float correctly, if they do not have enough grease they can stick causing premature wear of one of the 2 pads that press on the rotor. That would be my guess as to why you're pads are wearing uneven or faster than you expect.

 

[GIJF430]

When you change out your pads re-grease the caliper pins so they float correctly, if they do not have enough grease they can stick causing premature wear of one of the 2 pads that press on the rotor. That would be my guess as to why you're pads are wearing uneven or faster than you expect.

A website had that same advice (greasing the caliper pins and what-not), so I checked and they were fine, and floated correctly.

As far as OEM pads being ceramic, then I'm the dumb ass heh. I didn't research any information on the stock pads and I just assumed that they would be of lesser quality, and definitely not ceramic...

 

[GIJF430]

. also, make sure you keep your receipts for the rear brakes you have replaced because there is a TSB coming out sometime this month(may). my service advisor told me honda would reimburse for all the rear brakes that have been replaced and there is a new redesign coming with the TSB.

Randy, I am not doubting this information, if true, this would be amazing. What dealership informed you about this reimbursement, and how will Accord owners be notified? Through a recall?

 

[superballz00]

Now, I know. This brake topic has gone on for a pretty long while now, and nobody wants to hear it. Also, some might say a new thread on this topic is useless because there are so many others just like it. However, when I do a search on this forum in hopes of finding some useful information, all I can ever find is other members bashing other members, so let's keep this thread as educational as possible, and try to find a solution to a problem that not even Honda can fix.

Anywho, I've excepted the fact that replacing brake pads every 30K miles will be apart of the car's normal operating expenses. I also know that replacing pads every 30K miles on all four corners of the vehicle (when only the inner pads are wearing unevenly because, I assume, a caliper issue, and since many people have replaced both the rotor and pads, yet still experience the same problem), is not normal, since the majority of my driving has been highway, and little to no stop and go traffic since I live in a small town in the middle of Kansas.

That being said, has anyone ever replaced the OEM pads with a ceramic set-up? If so, what was your experience? Is it worth the extra money? How much has braking performance, and the longevity of the pads increased? Does purchasing ceramic pads prove to be a solution from an economical stand-point (i.e. do ceramic pads not only outlast standard OEM, but is worth the extra money for how long they do actually last, as well as performance over OEM pads)? Or should I just buy the cheaper OEMs and replace every 30K miles...

Just a simple question, that's all. I figured the uneven wear on my inner pads is being caused by a design flaw in the caliper or where ever the flaw may be, but does a ceramic pad withstand whatever is making the OEM pads uneven?

Any information without bashing would be greatly appreciated.

You should only have to replace your rear pads at around 30k. Front pads should last 2-3 times as long as your rear pads according to rear patterns of the 08 models. We have a member with 30k and still 30% left on his rear pads. If your brakes aren't dragging and the piston isn't sticking then you should get over 30k on the rear pads. The only problem I see with the brakes on the gen 8 Accords is the excessive brake noise since there doesn't seem to be a fix for it.

Ceramic pads suppose to be quieter and produce less brake dust. They usually last longer than traditional pads but how much depends on the composition of the pad. The pads for the gen 8 Accords are quite soft so switching to a ceramic should extend the life of your pads.

Actually I believe the OEM pads on the Gen 8 accords are already ceramic. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. I found a set of ceramics for $16 less than what the dealer charges for the OEM ones. I figured if nothing else I'm not going to throw money at Honda for a piece of $ht design. Mine made it to about 24,500 before I had to replace them with about 85% freeway driving, and as everyone else describes the outer pads still had 50% life left while the inner pads were toast. :dunno:

Looks like you have a problem with a sticky piston. Have the dealer fix this so your new set of pads don't wear out as fast this time around.

i am not sure i have an answer for you but i have some useful info. my girlfriend and i have the same car(08 6-6) hers is two months newer than mine. i have had my front brakes replaced at less than 12k and the rears at 15k. i have now replaced my fronts and rears at 45k, now the info part... we both bought hawk front pads and i bought oem rears for hers. when we went to replace both her fornt and rear they both had at least half the pad left, so we left hers alone. she had about 30k at that time. so there is hope for not having to replace pads every 30k. now mine... i went ahead and replaced my rears and fronts(with the hawks) even tho neither one really needed to be replaced at the time and that was at least 30k on each of those. as far as the hawk pads go.... MUCH BETTER than oem. i can brake from 100 and no shimmy from the rotors. and the braking is much firmer and stops are shorter(not sure how much but noticeably). also, make sure you keep your receipts for the rear brakes you have replaced because there is a TSB coming out sometime this month(may). my service advisor told me honda would reimburse for all the rear brakes that have been replaced and there is a new redesign coming with the TSB.

I think your pads wore out so soon because you drive your car way too hard. Which Hawk pads did you go with?

 

[rockman]

---with a MANUAL TRANS.--I Down-shift EVERYtime I stop or slow down, causing me not to use my brakes near as much as an AUTOmatic trans.--I only have 7k on my Accord '08 so I cant tell ya bout brake wear BUT I also have a 1997 Dodge RAM with a manualtrans. & I didn't have to replace REAR BRAKES til, beleive it or not, 130,000 miles---I downshifted always & that saved my brakes(sounds grossly exagerated but true)----

 

[mhadden]

---with a MANUAL TRANS.--I Down-shift EVERYtime I stop or slow down, causing me not to use my brakes near as much as an AUTOmatic trans.--I only have 7k on my Accord '08 so I cant tell ya bout brake wear BUT I also have a 1997 Dodge RAM with a manualtrans. & I didn't have to replace REAR BRAKES til, beleive it or not, 130,000 miles---I downshifted always & that saved my brakes(sounds grossly exagerated but true)----

I'd rather replace my brakes than my clutch from downshifting to slow down...

 

[xJoeMama78]

---with a MANUAL TRANS.--I Down-shift EVERYtime I stop or slow down, causing me not to use my brakes near as much as an AUTOmatic trans.--I only have 7k on my Accord '08 so I cant tell ya bout brake wear BUT I also have a 1997 Dodge RAM with a manualtrans. & I didn't have to replace REAR BRAKES til, beleive it or not, 130,000 miles---I downshifted always & that saved my brakes(sounds grossly exagerated but true)----

Did your truck have rear drums? It probably did and if so you can't compare it to rear discs. It's common for a set of rear shoes to last over 100k.

 

[randyb]

a tsb isnt the same as a recall. they likely wont notify anyone unless you go to have service done then they MIGHT look up by vin and tell u about the tsb, a recall they send out notice and tell csutomers to come in, i think recalls are safety related whereas tsb's are performance related. i only know of the TSB for 08 accords. the dealer is don wessel honda in springfield missouri. i our hawks from topbrakes.com. i didnt grease them, i did notice that didnt look wet(greasy) but it didnt occur to me that honda would not have intended them to look this way so i didnt think anything about it at the time. lol, my fronts wore early because i drive hard, however the rears wore out because made the pads material soft to try to avoid squealing(sp?) which is why they are wearing out on people early and hence the tsb coming this month. the hawk pads i used were........ just the normal street pads. not the racing compound or the track compound. the only downside is because the way i drive there is a lot of brake dust, but i am ok with that for the added safety of quicker stops(emergency stops) and the reduction(cessation) of rotor vibration. if you use your trans to slow you down, without matching the engine revs before letting out the clutch you will prematurely wear out your clutch.

 

[Markus]

---with a MANUAL TRANS.--I Down-shift EVERYtime I stop or slow down, causing me not to use my brakes near as much as an AUTOmatic trans.--I only have 7k on my Accord '08 so I cant tell ya bout brake wear BUT I also have a 1997 Dodge RAM with a manualtrans. & I didn't have to replace REAR BRAKES til, beleive it or not, 130,000 miles---I downshifted always & that saved my brakes(sounds grossly exagerated but true)----

Don't do this. Here's why:

1. Brakes have more than enough stopping power.
2. You'll get accelerated clutch wear
3. You'll get accelerated syncro wear
4. You'll get accelerated engine-mount fatigue
5. Brakes are far cheaper to replace than clutches and syncros


Any car that can lock its brakes, or that can invoke ABS, gains NOTHING from engine braking. The braking limit of the tires has been exceed when brakes lock or abs kicks in.

Engine braking as a substitute for regular brake use is pointless unless you're descending a long grade and don't want to overheat the brakes.

 

[12153]

GIJF430 and All:

IMO, supposedly the biggest advantage of using ceramic pads is reduction of brake dust to keep both the wheels and the environment cleaner. (Asbestos is really nasty stuff!)

My Honda dealer parts department personnel maintain that OEM Honda brake pads ARE ceramic composition. (I actually disagree with them about my '86; I believe the front pads are semi-metallic/asbestos composition.)

AutoZone offers a very nice ceramic pad called the "C-Max." I briefly considered using them since they are considerably less expensive and have a lifetime warranty (to the original purchaser).

However, in the past I have experimented with aftermarket pads and rotors on my trusty '86 and found that OEM Honda worked better (quieter and more powerful) and lasted a lot longer. Thus, OEM Honda brake parts are what I use on both my cars.

I observe a lot of complaints from the Gen Seven/Eight owners concerning brake issues. I also routinely see said cars at my local dealer for brake work at (what I consider) overly-frequent service intervals (10K mileage or less). Must be an inferior pad/rotor composition, an inferior caliper/rotor design, an overboosted system, incorrect ABS modulation, or some combination thereof. The above said, I would be highly inclined to seek out a (proven) superior aftermarket alternative...to install on all four corners of the car.

 

[reframmellator]

I'm pretty sure asbestos was removed from new brake pads about 1992. However, some existing and replacement formulations may still contain asbestos, which is a problem if it's airborne (dust).

 

[GIJF430]

You should only have to replace your rear pads at around 30k. Front pads should last 2-3 times as long as your rear pads according to rear patterns of the 08 models. We have a member with 30k and still 30% left on his rear pads. If your brakes aren't dragging and the piston isn't sticking then you should get over 30k on the rear pads. The only problem I see with the brakes on the gen 8 Accords is the excessive brake noise since there doesn't seem to be a fix for it.

Ceramic pads suppose to be quieter and produce less brake dust. They usually last longer than traditional pads but how much depends on the composition of the pad. The pads for the gen 8 Accords are quite soft so switching to a ceramic should extend the life of your pads.

If this were true, I wouldn't need to replace my front pads, maybe the piston is sticking then?

I know that ceramic is proven to be better, but I am searching for advice from a member that has actually made the switch, but thanks for the input.

 

[Drowzee]

I really don't know much about brakes, but would replacing the oem brakes and/or rotors help eliminate or at least reduce the squeak?

 

[rockman]

I'd rather replace my brakes than my clutch from downshifting to slow down...

--downshifting properly does not prematurely wear your CLUTCH out...nope.