"chibitul" <chibitul@sbcglobal.net> wrote in
news:1125946798.554588.171760@o13g2000cwo.googlegr oups.com:

> I just replaced the front pads and the brake fluid on my 2001 Civic! It
> took 3 hours, making sure I do all things right, but now the car runs
> fine, it doesn't squeak, no weird sound, the brake pedal is firm (not
> mushy). The only "problem" was that the new pads barely fit in the
> calipers, there was very little clearance.


Was the piston pushed back ALL the way?

Was any rust sanded off the piston lip and the hooks of the caliper body?


>
> Also, the Honda OEM pad set came with 6 shims, but when I opened the
> calipers I found shim only on the back of the outer pads, no shim on
> the inner pads. So I just used shims on the outer pads as well. I have
> some shims letr, I guess the same "kit" is used in other cars (Acords,
> Acuras?) and maybe the put all the shims there to make it an universal
> kit.


No, those shims are ALL supposed to fit on EVERY CAR. If you can't put them
on, that suggests two things:
1) The rotors are aftermarket, and are too thick, or
2) you've done something wrong.

Get a mike and check those rotors.

>
> why are the shims needed at all?


To prevent noise, especially once a bit of dust and rust has built up.



--
TeGGeR®

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