A brake job from hell.

[mcb_homis]

So I won't go into a long rambling technical rant about my brake job (replacing all four sets of pads and all four rotors) on the Element but suffice it to say that what should have taken half a day to complete took all day Saturday and all afternoon Sunday just to get it drivable. Honda apparent does not believe in making any design

Comments

[madeofmeat]

This is why I liked my VW. Veeery simple, very modular design, in just about everything. I think what I loved most was the rear drum brake adjustment mechanism--a spring-loaded ridged wedge. Want to back off the rear brakes? Stick a flathead screwdriver through a lughole at 3 o'clock (or nine if it's the right side) and pry upward. Pop! Done. Once you get the new pads in and everything reassembled, hit the pedal once and they're adjusted properly.

I'm planning on buying a used Subaru, but I've peeked under the hood of a few, and they look like Hondas--too much complexity and too many little bolts. Regardless, I'm glad you got it taken care of.

[mcb_homis]

The Element has been relatively simple in its design. Its just a toaster on wheels. It's a fairly easy design to work on if it wasn't for the rust issues. The problem is Honda doesn't leave any room for dealing with rust. Brake rotors are going to rust even in climate with little or no use of road salt but Honda make the tolerance on the rotor to hub fit so tight that even a small amount of rust locks things up. I ran into similar problems with rust locking up parts when I had to replace the rear struts.