QuestionQUESTION: Hi,
I am considering replacing the rear pads (drum brakes)on my 1999 Honda Accord LX. I did this job to another Accord I owned about 10 years ago and remember the heavy spring at the top of the assembly being very difficult to work with and dificult to attach to the hole in the brake assembly. Is there a trick to this that makes it easier?
I believe there is a special tool for this but after inspection of the tool some time ago, I couldn't figure out exactly how it worked. I think I ended up using large plyers but it was very, very dificult. Maybe they have made a better tool for this purpose since then.
Could you please explain in detail your best advice for this job and dealing with the spring (aside from having the shop do it). I drew a diagram of the assembly for reference when putting it back together and I also have the other side for reference.
Also, do you know the mertic size of the large nut on the hub? I measured it to be about 1 5/16" but it's metric of course.
Thank you.
ANSWER: Harry, the rear drum brakes have not changed much for these Honda's so if you have done this before it should fairly easy. There are special brake tools you could purchase but, the cost would outweigh 1 brake job. Unless you are going to be doing brake jobs on a consistent basis.
Tools i would use are; needle nose vise grips and a variety of needle nose pliers. Attach the needle nose vise grips to the spring so you have an anchor/counterweight. Then with your other hand use needle nose pliers to work the spring out of the seat.
Before you start purchase a can of brake parts cleaner and have the various vise grips i stated earlier. Only do 1 side at a time. Remove the drum and spray down the inner parts thoroughly. Then take a picture with your digital camera or phone. This way you have a reference to view. Then start to remove the springs. I would also recommend replacing the springs since they are fairly inexpensive and could have worn down with time and stress.
I believe the nut is 32mm. But not 100%. I know the front CV axle nut is 32mm or 1 1/4".
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QUESTION: Thanks for the great reply.
Are you using 2 pair of needle nose vise grips or one pair and a regular needle nose pliers? I haven't tried it yet but I would think the regular needle nose pliers would simply slip right off the spring even with the vise grip as leverage. I seem to remember this spring being very heavy duty.
Have you ever tried using diaginal cutters just to grasp the spring (not cut it of course) and move it out of or into its location along with the needle nose vice grips? If you used just the tip of the diag cutter it prolly would cut the spring anyway.
What do you think?
Thanks again.
Answer1 pair of the vise grip in your left hand, regular/standard in your right hand. Or vice versa. I would not try diagonal cutters (dykes) at all for this removal/install. You run a risk of severing the spring or weakening the spring. I understand that this is a pain in the #$% to remove these springs but, when done you will not have to for a long time.
