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Comments
The Sandman
The Sandman
Just trying to pass-on some info.
I couldn't believe this could happen to a virtually brand-new car at only 27,000 miles. (My last Honda didn't have ANY braking issues until 80,000 miles or so. Same commute, same driving style.)
The service rep told me this was "normal wear and tear" and rotor resurfacing wouldn't be covered by warranty. They finally paid for it after I requested to talk with the manager (the service rep did everything possible to stall me and used every excuse in the book not to have me talk with him -- so disappointing.)
I like the Civic, but I just don't trust this car the way I trusted my previous Honda. This is yet another problem that has popped up in two years of ownership. Not happy at all.
Good luck
If I lived in USA, I would most likely try Walmart.
Good luck
To point out the issue with your car, bellagio, it's typical for the Honda rotors under more than gentle usage to warp. Sure, it could be because you were braking hard and drove through a puddle which caused the warpage, but do you really want to have to be that careful with your brakes? It's a car, not fine dishware!
When I had this problem on my Civic, I was a little slow in learning. Turning after turning and even replacing the rotors with another pair from Honda I slowly learned that the quality was to blame. They weren't engineered to last past 30,000 miles. What did I do? I went to www.tirerack.com and bought the Brembo branded OEM replacement rotor/disc. Never had another problem with warpage, for 6 years until the rotors were used up and had to be replaced.
I also replaced the Honda pads with Porterfield's R4-S pad as well. Finally more bite, no more squeaking, and much faster stopping. But that's another post in itself.
One other thing that about warpage people ignore. They think it is automatically time to turn the rotors. What I have found is that (research google as well, if you don't believe me) most vibration, "warpage" comes from a brake pad that doesn't have enough friction. Small amounts of the pad get left behind on the rotor's surface and this causes the vibration. If a runout dial is used, it would indicate that warpage has occured, but really what they're measuring is the pad debris burned into the rotor's face. Solution? Upgrade to a higher friction pad and it will clean the rotor off. That's how I got 6 years out of that set of Brembo oem rotors and Porterfield's R4-S pad.
Yes I know it's a lengthy explanation but needed to help a fellow Honda owner understand what's happening.
My advice: Don't bother with the Honda rotors/pads again, seriously. You'll waste time and money, not to mention frustration when it this warpage happens again. Just replace with Brembo's rotors (same size as stock, not a big upgrade) and you'll be happy again. For less money too!
Just wanted to thank you for your comprehensive explanation and specific recommendations for dealing with rotors/pads. Bellagio has started an enlightening thread and you have provided valuable info. At 42K my brakes seem fine (no vibes, clean stops) but will be due for a check this month. If they are near the end, I will follow your advice and go aftermarket. I will try to do some research on the subject and share what I come up with, but so far your recommendation and JonesBB(thanks Jones!) are useful starting points. I rarely get this much out of my brakes except for a 1995 Maxima that had 95K fronts before a pad change (really!).
I win!
Haha... the car had a ton of highway miles, so brakes lasted forever. I still have the original rear drums at 184k on my 1996 Accord LX I4.
don't be afraid. I was NOT saying that the rotors are just going to dissolve under you! You just need to not pay to have the rotors "turned" when the time comes to replace them. When is that? When they start vibrating/pulsating when you try and stop. Usually happens around 30,000 miles. If you're not vibrating then, then don't worry about it.
It is possible to have someone put them on, of course. The Honda dealer put on aftermarket rotors and brake pads on my civic. They don't care since there is no warranty through them. Some dealers will do aftermarket parts work some won't. Since the brakes are a wear/tear item. There isn't much chance of any warranty support anyway at 30,000 miles.
You're welcome for the explanation, glad to help share my personal experiences with a couple of Hondas that I've had.
To help you with your research. The pads that I purchased were the R4-S pad from porterfield-brakes.com Just purchased another set after 6 years on the first set. If you do put these pads on your car you will come back here smiling and say thanks! No I know that sounds arrogant, it's just that they ARE THAT GOOD! I was amazed how much more stopping power after putting them on. They broke in over about a 1-2 week period. The bite became stronger and stronger to the point that if you hit the pedal halfway down you might be kissing the dash!
I guess for me recommending the Brembo OEM replacement rotors/discs from tirerack.com and the porterfield pads was just to help others unsure of questionable quality from other sources. And since I was the guinea pig, makes it easier for others to install them and not have to worry if it's going to work. Frustrating when things don't work out, nice when it's smooth going!
glad to help out
I bought OEM brake pads off of Ebay. They are a high quality pad even though some people will disagree with me, and you are assured of having a perfect fit with all the parts. I changed my brake pads at 36,000 miles and I might have been able to get another 5-10,000 miles out of the old ones. The rotors were perfect so only the pads needed to be changed. I did it myself and the cost was under fifty dollars.
Thanks,
LM
which increases in pitch as the car accelerates and turns corners. Then the noise disappears. I drove it over to the dealers' local place, but by the time I got there, the whine had disappeared. However, the whine persists and has gotten a bit louder. Is it likely to be coming from the transmission, and if so, what can I do to reduce or eliminate this noise? So far as I can tell, it has no effect on the car's performance.
If this only happens when cold, arrange to have your car dropped off at the dealership and they keep it overnight. Then when they start it in the morning they can hear the noise and locate the source of the problem.
Sometimes one has to be happy with whatever comes along!
The Sandman
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Does this problem re-occure? Do the tires keep wearing at a fast pace? Has anyone else had to have the arms replaced more than once?
I just don't trust this car however much I love the sleek look of it. I also seem to have a problem with the acceleration. When I push the gas pedal it seems to have a bit of a lag and I don't like it. Just doesn't seem like a solid car!
If so, I am out of here and buying a Toyota Matrix.
The Sandman
I have the same problem with my 2007 Civic. The A/C went out and when I took it to the dealer they told me a rock cracked the condenser and that my warranty wouldn't cover it. The service manager's name was Wayne.....just wondering if that is a coincidence or if you took it to the Honda dealership in Santa Barbara as well. He played dumb....and acted like he didn't know if anybody else ever had this problem.
Let me know when you get a chance.
Thanks.
I just had a blow-out in carpool lane this morning while driving at 70MPH. It was scary. I had not noticed the very excessive inside wear on this set. I looked at the other side and it is ready to go as well. Outside wear has plenty left.
I know my car is no longer under warranty. But I am trying to get a copy of the TSB 08-001 to take to the dealership. I tried arguing with Honda prior to my warranty ending and it got me nowhere!
Maybe now I can use this as a tool to a least have them fix the root of my problem without me having to pay for it!
Appriciate an e-mail copy of it or link to where I can print it out.
Thanks
http://uabvda.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p-DsgKWm4hhCh-aaOLUJnl8ZeRG4k2y6laru0pSZXW- o90-tM6UnssQ_9EB28Mc5waoBcGrFe5sxE/A08-001.pdf?download
The A/C issue is a well documented problem at American Honda Motor Co. I should know, I did a lot of the documenting... I used to work cases for Honda at their corporate office in Torrance Ca.
Heck, even if its out of warranty, you have a really good chance of getting a free repair. this is what you must do
Call the customer service line at 1.800.999.1009
Connect with a rep. Have all of your info handy (vin and dealer info) and service records handy, having service done exclusively at Honda Dealers really earns you credit for "FREE REPAIRS" although an old friend who still worked there told me they stopped doing that. It still would help in my opinion.
Explain your situation, they've heard it literally thousands of times by now. The condenser, due to its location is susceptible to being punctured by rocks.
A case and case # will be generated. After being inspected by a Honda dealer, your issue will be documented at the dealer. A regional case manager will call you within 1-3 business days and will gather necessary information from the dealer to decide if the situation merits a "FREE REPAIR"
Which for an A/C condenser should merit a free repair, Honda tells their regional case managers to be "generous" with particular situations such as this.
Honda sets aside literally millions of dollars to do out of warranty work for Honda customers who they believe will remain loyal to Honda. Under no circumstances threaten to "never by a Honda" in the future. In their eyes, doing free repairs retains future purchases from current customers. Its all about the dollars after all!
and FYI to everyone who has a Honda, this method can work for almost any issue not covered under warranty except for maybe wear and tear items. But even tires might get paid for (partially) if they were 1) purchased at a dealer and 2) had significant premature wear
The key is to be nice to the dealer and to your case manager, they're people too you know. If you're an [non-permissible content removed], they can be an [non-permissible content removed] because after all, your vehicle isn't covered under warranty and they are at no obligation to pay for anything.
- Kam
I have been having issues since 11/4/08. My dealership has had my car for 8 cumulative days, and in those visits, I have left with new left and right front struts (two weeks apart), new rear arms, and a new door lock actuator. I still hear the noise that I am complaining about, but the mechanics are now saying that my shoes are rubbing on my drums (rear brakes). I only have 21,500 miles on my 2007, and I have been having issues since around 19500.
I picked my car up today, after they had it two days this week, with the "answer" from the mechanic being that it is "not fixable." I do not understand how they can say that yes, my car makes a noise, but it is not abnormal for a car, that I bought brand new and have owned for less than a year and a half, to have these issues. The mechanic supposedly drove another 2007 civic with similar miles, and the car made the same noise, which was the foundation for their comment to me - that it is NORMAL. I cannot accept that it is normal for a new car to make this much noise. I bought a new car to keep from hearing these noises!
I feel as though they were throwing parts at the problem for the last month and almost a half, and still have no answer. The noise that I brought my car in for was not addressed, because they were unable to recreate the noise. At this time, I am beginning to look at the Lemon Law, and have contemplated representation.
Is anyone having problems with strange noises - resulting from when you turn the steering wheel, specifically to the right?
PLEASE HELP!!!
It was kind off a clunk or something like that, they were never able to diagnose or fix it.
After I got rid of the car, I did reasearch and found something about the bump stops for the front end. I believe there was a TSB issued for this but again, it didn't matter at that point. The TSB had to due with defective bump stops that were not manufactured to the correct specs, thus when turning the wheel a clunk or noise would occur.
Hope this helps.
Honda still rocks!
The Sandman
The Sandman