Hi all, we have two Honda Recons, and 05 and an 07 the 2005 is in need of new brakes I think. I've done all the other maintenance, which isn't all that much. But when it comes to brakes I know squat about replacing them and I don't have any specialized tools, though I'm not sure what would be needed. Is this something I could take on and learn from or would I be better of having it done.

With that in mind one dealer quoted me 1 hour for the rear brakes, .5 hour for the front and a total with P&L of $117. Didn't seem unreasonable, however the dealer also isn't known for being cheap. Any thoughts on that price?

Thanks for any advice you can share.

 

i take it that you have adjusted them correctly? if not i would try that before replacement. those brakes normally last a long time

 

i also have an 05 recon. the back brakes work great, but the front are just terrible! idk what is up with them, but i just put washers between the handle and the metal button the handle pushes on (where there is a rubber thing that covers it) and that fixes it, but still not all that great. and also, if i use the front brakes too much on trailriding instead of the rears, they will all of the sudden tighten up to the point where the front wheels are locked. im guessing this is from the brake fluid expanding? any help is appreciated!

 

My front brakes were terrible on my Recon so heres the three things you need to do

1 bleed brake lines

2 replace pads

-OR-

3 adjust pads

If the pads have less than 2mm of thickness, they need to be replaced

bleeding brakes isnt that hard.

open the fluid resivoir and have some brake fluid on hand (DOT3 or 4)
open the bleed valve cap behind the brake drum
have a friend squeeze the brakes, while they are squeezed use a wrench to open the valve, fluid will squirt out, when the fluid begins to stop flowing, close the valve

Close the valve BEFORE you let go of the brake lever.

repeat the process until there are no air bubbles in the line, you should have a smooth flow (Bleeding brakes eliminates air bubbles in the line)

repeat process for other side.


Make sure while bleeding the brakes that you keep the resivoir full, if it goes empty you'll end up filling your lines with air.








to get to the pads all you need is a basic socket set to take off your wheel and the hub. the pads have a pin and holder that clip them in place.

Where the pads are held in the bottom can be adjusted like a screw in and out, out more will widen the brakes so they contact more (you may not have to replace pads)



pads cost about $30 brake fluid is under $5

if you have a socket set, a friend (I did it alone) and some time (took me a few hours because it was my first time, but I could probably do it in an hour now) you can do this and save A LOT of money!!

I would not pay $117!!!!