DW wrote:
> Ken, mine has 193K, and I likewise bought mine new back in '87. I don't
> know how many years this was a problem area for the Accord or other
> Honda/Acura models, but the brakes are definitely not up to par with the
> rest of the car. I even researched aftermarket brakes and had some put on
> (OEM size cross-drilled and slotted with GreenStuff pads) and they did work
> better but they still worn prematurely and the rotors needed to be replaced
> (apparently they couldn't be turned) only after about a year. Perhaps the
> premature wear on the front brakes may be due to the lack of help from the
> rear drums.
>
> I do have to note however, that when the brakes have just been replaced you
> can get them to lock up for perhaps the first 100 miles or so, then back to
> the mediocre performance of norm. I guess one benefit to this is that you
> won't go into any uncontrollable skids. ;-)
>
> One last thing I want to point out about Honda/Acura cars is that there is
> one additional weak point (besides the flimzy hood rod holder) on these
> cars, and that is the auto trans. Not a big problem, but expect to replace
> it in the 100k to 150k range. I can legitimately say this from the
> experience I've had with these cars over the years. I've owned an '87 Acura
> Integra (2nd gear clutch went out around 110k), an '88 Acura Legend (2nd
> gear clutch went out around 117k), an '88 Honda Accord Coupe (2nd gear
> clutch was going out around 115k), and my '87 Accord LX-i sedan (the tranny
> was having problems around 150k). I have had different makes before too but
> never experienced such consistant transmission problems like in the Honda
> products.

really? my previous 89 civic auto was at 260k, original transmission.
my friends 88 accord auto was at 360k, original transmission. my
current 89 civic auto is 125k, strong as an ox. other friends have an
accord with 280k, auto, original transmission. just come to california
and see the ancient hondas on the road.

seriously, i don't think honda [in this era] are guilty of "consistant
transmission problems". post 2000, yes, prior? no.

>
> If you experience transmission problems in your Honda/Acura vehicle,
> especially in the late 1980's models, you will save money and a lot of time
> to just have the entire transmission replaced instead of having it
> rebuilt/repaired -costs about the same anyway (it was around $2,000! each
> time for me).
>
>
> "KenA" <kabrahamsen@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:cOidnTUCVOYcBSbfRVn-2w@comcast.com...
>
>>I too have a 1987 Accord (DX), and the brakes have always been the weakest
>>part of the car. I bought the car new, and the original brakes failed at
>>about 15K miles (mostly highway driving). The dealer replaced them for
>>free. The brakes have *always* been weak since the day I bought it. In the
>>18+ years that I've owned it, I can say that the weak brakes was one
>>contributing factor to a minor accident I had a few years back. I stepped
>>on the brakes hard, but (as usual) the car slowed (gradually), but not
>>commensurate with how hard I was stepping on the brake peddle. Trying to
>>lock the wheels by braking at anytime during the last 18 years was/is
>>merely a fantasy. I just isn't going to happen no matter what. Braking
>>performance is the one thing I miss about my previous Toyota, as it would
>>stop on a dime. If anyone finds a cure for this, please let me know, as I
>>like everything else about my Accord (227k miles and still going
>>strong....).
>>Ken
>>===
>>"DW" <dwinslow2@qwest.net> wrote in message
>>news:VhOte.92$4H2.29835@news.uswest.net...
>>
>>>If you have own or have ever owned a Honda Accord for some time, surely
>>>you know how weak the brakes are.
>>>
>>>Not only are they not very powerful (very difficult to get the brakes to
>>>the point of lock-up), but the front rotors have to be replaced often as
>>>compared to most cars.
>>>
>>>MY QUESTION IS: Does anyone know of any aftermarket brakes that are
>>>better than the weak stock brakes for a 1987 ACCORD LX-i (besides from
>>>Midas or Meineke)? Perhaps even a high performance brake kit upgrade?
>>>
>>>Thanks in advance.
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

DW wrote:
> Ken, mine has 193K, and I likewise bought mine new back in '87. I don't
> know how many years this was a problem area for the Accord or other
> Honda/Acura models, but the brakes are definitely not up to par with the
> rest of the car. I even researched aftermarket brakes and had some put on
> (OEM size cross-drilled and slotted with GreenStuff pads) and they did work
> better but they still worn prematurely and the rotors needed to be replaced
> (apparently they couldn't be turned) only after about a year. Perhaps the
> premature wear on the front brakes may be due to the lack of help from the
> rear drums.
>
> I do have to note however, that when the brakes have just been replaced you
> can get them to lock up for perhaps the first 100 miles or so, then back to
> the mediocre performance of norm. I guess one benefit to this is that you
> won't go into any uncontrollable skids. ;-)
>
> One last thing I want to point out about Honda/Acura cars is that there is
> one additional weak point (besides the flimzy hood rod holder) on these
> cars, and that is the auto trans. Not a big problem, but expect to replace
> it in the 100k to 150k range. I can legitimately say this from the
> experience I've had with these cars over the years. I've owned an '87 Acura
> Integra (2nd gear clutch went out around 110k), an '88 Acura Legend (2nd
> gear clutch went out around 117k), an '88 Honda Accord Coupe (2nd gear
> clutch was going out around 115k), and my '87 Accord LX-i sedan (the tranny
> was having problems around 150k). I have had different makes before too but
> never experienced such consistant transmission problems like in the Honda
> products.

really? my previous 89 civic auto was at 260k, original transmission.
my friends 88 accord auto was at 360k, original transmission. my
current 89 civic auto is 125k, strong as an ox. other friends have an
accord with 280k, auto, original transmission. just come to california
and see the ancient hondas on the road.

seriously, i don't think honda [in this era] are guilty of "consistant
transmission problems". post 2000, yes, prior? no.

>
> If you experience transmission problems in your Honda/Acura vehicle,
> especially in the late 1980's models, you will save money and a lot of time
> to just have the entire transmission replaced instead of having it
> rebuilt/repaired -costs about the same anyway (it was around $2,000! each
> time for me).
>
>
> "KenA" <kabrahamsen@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:cOidnTUCVOYcBSbfRVn-2w@comcast.com...
>
>>I too have a 1987 Accord (DX), and the brakes have always been the weakest
>>part of the car. I bought the car new, and the original brakes failed at
>>about 15K miles (mostly highway driving). The dealer replaced them for
>>free. The brakes have *always* been weak since the day I bought it. In the
>>18+ years that I've owned it, I can say that the weak brakes was one
>>contributing factor to a minor accident I had a few years back. I stepped
>>on the brakes hard, but (as usual) the car slowed (gradually), but not
>>commensurate with how hard I was stepping on the brake peddle. Trying to
>>lock the wheels by braking at anytime during the last 18 years was/is
>>merely a fantasy. I just isn't going to happen no matter what. Braking
>>performance is the one thing I miss about my previous Toyota, as it would
>>stop on a dime. If anyone finds a cure for this, please let me know, as I
>>like everything else about my Accord (227k miles and still going
>>strong....).
>>Ken
>>===
>>"DW" <dwinslow2@qwest.net> wrote in message
>>news:VhOte.92$4H2.29835@news.uswest.net...
>>
>>>If you have own or have ever owned a Honda Accord for some time, surely
>>>you know how weak the brakes are.
>>>
>>>Not only are they not very powerful (very difficult to get the brakes to
>>>the point of lock-up), but the front rotors have to be replaced often as
>>>compared to most cars.
>>>
>>>MY QUESTION IS: Does anyone know of any aftermarket brakes that are
>>>better than the weak stock brakes for a 1987 ACCORD LX-i (besides from
>>>Midas or Meineke)? Perhaps even a high performance brake kit upgrade?
>>>
>>>Thanks in advance.
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

"DW" <dwinslow2@qwest.net> wrote in message
news:VhOte.92$4H2.29835@news.uswest.net...
> MY QUESTION IS: Does anyone know of any aftermarket brakes that are
> better than the weak stock brakes for a 1987 ACCORD LX-i (besides from
> Midas or Meineke)? Perhaps even a high performance brake kit upgrade?

It depends on what you are prepared to do. Yes, the brakes are a bit small,
not ventilated as I recall, and heat up quickly. Std sized cross drilled
rotors are OK, but slotted rotors are for racing applications, make a lot of
dust and wear out quickly. Both "solutions" are trying to make an inadequate
system work more efficiently.

The solution is relatively simple: you need to use a bigger diameter
ventilated disk and larger surface area pads.

A high performance brake kit upgrade is NOT the answer, and will cost more
than an alternative solution using stock Honda parts.

There are bigger rotor kits that retain the original caliper. There may not
be a kit for an 87 Accord, but these won't help, because you need a thicker
ventilated disk and hence you have to change the calipers too.

Probably the simplest thing is to replace the rotors and calipers with
ventilated rotors and calipers from a recent (say 98 +) Accord. There are
some potential problems to handle

1) Recent Accords have a 4x114.3mm (4.50") stud pattern. I THINK your 87 has
the same, but it might be 4x100mm, in which case you need recent Civic
rotors and calipers.

2) While the 98+ rotors might fit on the 87 hub, you might need a small
spacer underneath.

3) the replacement caliper bracket MAY just bolt up to your hub and fit the
disk properly, but more likely you'll need an adapter bracket.

4) your current wheels should fit around the later model brakes. Make sure
that you have new pads when assembling this arrangement, to ensure wheel
clearance.

5) If the replacement calipers have the same or very similar piston
diameter, you won't have to change your master cylinder to a larger
diameter. Otherwise, the brake pedal will be very mushy even when bled
correctly.

So, if you want to do this, you'll need a (performance) garage that has
access to a machine shop (unless the parts just bolt on). You could start by
going to your local wrecker and comparing various bits to see what fits
what. Its not particularly difficult, but does take planning.


Have a look at www.pixcl.com/lancerproject.htm for details on big brake
swaps on a Mitsubishi Lancer / Mirage. The same general process applies to
Hondas.

Stewart DIBBS

 

"DW" <dwinslow2@qwest.net> wrote in message
news:VhOte.92$4H2.29835@news.uswest.net...
> MY QUESTION IS: Does anyone know of any aftermarket brakes that are
> better than the weak stock brakes for a 1987 ACCORD LX-i (besides from
> Midas or Meineke)? Perhaps even a high performance brake kit upgrade?

It depends on what you are prepared to do. Yes, the brakes are a bit small,
not ventilated as I recall, and heat up quickly. Std sized cross drilled
rotors are OK, but slotted rotors are for racing applications, make a lot of
dust and wear out quickly. Both "solutions" are trying to make an inadequate
system work more efficiently.

The solution is relatively simple: you need to use a bigger diameter
ventilated disk and larger surface area pads.

A high performance brake kit upgrade is NOT the answer, and will cost more
than an alternative solution using stock Honda parts.

There are bigger rotor kits that retain the original caliper. There may not
be a kit for an 87 Accord, but these won't help, because you need a thicker
ventilated disk and hence you have to change the calipers too.

Probably the simplest thing is to replace the rotors and calipers with
ventilated rotors and calipers from a recent (say 98 +) Accord. There are
some potential problems to handle

1) Recent Accords have a 4x114.3mm (4.50") stud pattern. I THINK your 87 has
the same, but it might be 4x100mm, in which case you need recent Civic
rotors and calipers.

2) While the 98+ rotors might fit on the 87 hub, you might need a small
spacer underneath.

3) the replacement caliper bracket MAY just bolt up to your hub and fit the
disk properly, but more likely you'll need an adapter bracket.

4) your current wheels should fit around the later model brakes. Make sure
that you have new pads when assembling this arrangement, to ensure wheel
clearance.

5) If the replacement calipers have the same or very similar piston
diameter, you won't have to change your master cylinder to a larger
diameter. Otherwise, the brake pedal will be very mushy even when bled
correctly.

So, if you want to do this, you'll need a (performance) garage that has
access to a machine shop (unless the parts just bolt on). You could start by
going to your local wrecker and comparing various bits to see what fits
what. Its not particularly difficult, but does take planning.


Have a look at www.pixcl.com/lancerproject.htm for details on big brake
swaps on a Mitsubishi Lancer / Mirage. The same general process applies to
Hondas.

Stewart DIBBS

 

>>If you have own or have ever owned a Honda Accord for some time, surely you know
>>how weak the brakes are.
>>
>>Not only are they not very powerful (very difficult to get the brakes to the point
>>of lock-up), but the front rotors have to be replaced often as compared to most
>>cars.
>>
>>MY QUESTION IS: Does anyone know of any aftermarket brakes that are better than
>>the weak stock brakes for a 1987 ACCORD LX-i (besides from Midas or Meineke)?
>>Perhaps even a high performance brake kit upgrade?

I've rarely had a problem locking up the brakes on any of my three '87
Accords... and that's with nice meaty 185/70R-13s.

More specifically, I've rarely had a problem locking up the front wheels...

Any time I've had the rear brakes done, the stopping power is
fantastic... for a couple weeks. As the rear shoes get seated in, they
tend to lose contact, and with the front brakes doing all the work,
stopping power is indeed reduced.

The problem, I think, is that the auto-adjustment mechanism is very
"dainty" and has to be put back together JUST right, or it doesn't work.
If the adjusting tabs are bent even the smallest bit, it won't contact
the step-tooth gear on the adjusting screw, and it doesn't take long at
all before the rear brakes stop working properly.

Adjusting them manually will help for a while, until they wear down too
far again. The trick is make sure the auto-adjuster is reassembled and
working properly.


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http://www.avast.com

 

Matt Ion wrote:
>
> >>If you have own or have ever owned a Honda Accord for some time, surely you know
> >>how weak the brakes are.
> >>
> >>Not only are they not very powerful (very difficult to get the brakes to the point
> >>of lock-up), but the front rotors have to be replaced often as compared to most
> >>cars.
> >>
> >>MY QUESTION IS: Does anyone know of any aftermarket brakes that are better than
> >>the weak stock brakes for a 1987 ACCORD LX-i (besides from Midas or Meineke)?
> >>Perhaps even a high performance brake kit upgrade?
>
> I've rarely had a problem locking up the brakes on any of my three '87
> Accords... and that's with nice meaty 185/70R-13s.
>
> More specifically, I've rarely had a problem locking up the front wheels...
>
> Any time I've had the rear brakes done, the stopping power is
> fantastic... for a couple weeks. As the rear shoes get seated in, they
> tend to lose contact, and with the front brakes doing all the work,
> stopping power is indeed reduced.
>
> The problem, I think, is that the auto-adjustment mechanism is very
> "dainty" and has to be put back together JUST right, or it doesn't work.
> If the adjusting tabs are bent even the smallest bit, it won't contact
> the step-tooth gear on the adjusting screw, and it doesn't take long at
> all before the rear brakes stop working properly.
>
> Adjusting them manually will help for a while, until they wear down too
> far again. The trick is make sure the auto-adjuster is reassembled and
> working properly.
>
-------------------------------------------

Best tip I ever heard for Honda drum brakes . . . Set the handbrake so
it requires at least six clicks before lockup. Otherwise, (if you try to
make it activate on two clicks like a VW) the auto- adjuster won't work
correctly at all. The tip was in a Chilton's manual for CR-V / Odyssey.

I believed it and have been doing it that way since. Also, use the
handbrake often, but every Honda owner knows that because it's in the
owner's manual. Yeah, right :-)

'Curly'

 

"'Curly Q. Links'" <motsco__@interbaun.com> wrote
> Best tip I ever heard for Honda drum brakes . . . Set the
handbrake so
> it requires at least six clicks before lockup. Otherwise,
(if you try to
> make it activate on two clicks like a VW) the auto-
adjuster won't work
> correctly at all. The tip was in a Chilton's manual for
CR-V / Odyssey.
>
> I believed it and have been doing it that way since. Also,
use the
> handbrake often, but every Honda owner knows that because
it's in the
> owner's manual. Yeah, right :-)

Wow, I've been messing this one up for a couple of years. I
just checked my 1984-1995 Civic/CRX/del Sol Chilton's
manual, and it says the same. Specifically, it says after
installing brake shoes, adjust the parking brake. Then the
last step of the parking brake adjustment directions says,
"With the equalizer [adjusting nut] properly adjusted, the
parking brake should be fully applied when the parking brake
lever is pulled up 6-10 clicks."