I purchased a 1999 Honda Prelude Base Model w/ the 5 speed manual transmission with 98,000 miles about a year ago. At about 103,000, I started hearing a frequent squeak from my right rear brake. I also noticed a lot of heat coming from the right rear brake by touching the wheel immediately after driving. I jacked the corner up and tried to spin the wheel while suspended off the ground and it would not budge. After inspection of the pads, I deduced that the right rear brake caliper was locked up. I removed the pads and tried to put a set of fresh pads on but the caliper piston refused to retract. This was the pain in the ass because the piston had to be forced in with downward pressure and clockwise or counterclockwise pressure (can't remember which, can be found on the web) so that the caliper would fit around the new, thicker brake pads. After much toil and hardship, it was decided that the caliper would have to be replaced ( approx. $120 with shipping.) So when it finally arrived, I couldn't get the old caliper off because the brake lines and connections had rusted on! So I had to lubricate and hassle with it for at least 2 hours to get the old caliper off. Finally, the new rebuilt remanufactured caliper went on like a breeze, except now I have one brake caliper that is working more efficiently than the other 3. Also, the emergency brake had to be readjusted because it was way too lose after bleeding the brake system, center console had to be removed to get to it. Anyone have about $3,000 lying around for a totally new Brembo braking system? Didn't think so.
I love my Prelude because it is very reliable, great on gas and lots of fun to drive. If you're looking for one with high mileage, don't doubt that horse of an engine as long as its been maintained, but be prepared to deal with a few odds and ends. I've had a bad caliper, a timing belt pulley that shattered itself and had to be replaced (probably because I put some WD-40 on it in the winter, then drove it immediately afterward), it seems to sit high on the drivers side like its been carrying a 300 pounder in the passenger seat all the time and the alignment is currently wayyy out of wack wearing down the inside of my tires to baldness. So new tires and an alignment diagnosis should reveal more. Stay tuned, never know what's gona happen next!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I purchased a 1999 Honda Prelude Base Model w/ the 5 speed manual transmission with 98,000 miles about a year ago. At about 103,000, I started hearing a frequent squeak from my right rear brake. I also noticed a lot of heat coming from the right rear brake by touching the wheel immediately after driving. I jacked the corner up and tried to spin the wheel while suspended off the ground and it would not budge. After inspection of the pads, I deduced that the right rear brake caliper was locked up. I removed the pads and tried to put a set of fresh pads on but the caliper piston refused to retract. This was the pain in the ass because the piston had to be forced in with downward pressure and clockwise or counterclockwise pressure (can't remember which, can be found on the web) so that the caliper would fit around the new, thicker brake pads. After much toil and hardship, it was decided that the caliper would have to be replaced ( approx. $120 with shipping.) So when it finally arrived, I couldn't get the old caliper off because the brake lines and connections had rusted on! So I had to lubricate and hassle with it for at least 2 hours to get the old caliper off. Finally, the new rebuilt remanufactured caliper went on like a breeze, except now I have one brake caliper that is working more efficiently than the other 3. Also, the emergency brake had to be readjusted because it was way too lose after bleeding the brake system, center console had to be removed to get to it. Anyone have about $3,000 lying around for a totally new Brembo braking system? Didn't think so.
I love my Prelude because it is very reliable, great on gas and lots of fun to drive. If you're looking for one with high mileage, don't doubt that horse of an engine as long as its been maintained, but be prepared to deal with a few odds and ends. I've had a bad caliper, a timing belt pulley that shattered itself and had to be replaced (probably because I put some WD-40 on it in the winter, then drove it immediately afterward), it seems to sit high on the drivers side like its been carrying a 300 pounder in the passenger seat all the time and the alignment is currently wayyy out of wack wearing down the inside of my tires to baldness. So new tires and an alignment diagnosis should reveal more. Stay tuned, never know what's gona happen next!
- Ryan W., Chesterfield, VA, US