AboutGary J. Meyer II Expertise The types of questions I can answer would be related to Honda automobile diagnosis and repair procedures. I can't diagnose every car via email because some tests just require a good old fashion road test.
Experience I am a Honda automobile technician with twenty years of new car dealership experience. My first few years as a Honda tech date back to when Honda cars were still offered in carburated models. In the last few years, I've been exposed to the integration of hybrid powered cars, the Natural Gas powered GX Civic, and electronic features ranging from voice activated GPS navigation to power sliding doors. I have been certified as an ASE Master Technician and passed the L1 Advanced Engine Performance test in 2000. I opened my own independent import repair shop specializing in but not limited to Honda automobiles in 2008. Operating my own shop has re-energized my enthusiasm for automobiles.
Publications a few articles www.articlesbase.com, advertisement in East Coast Ink Magazine Spring 2009 and Fall 2009
Education/Credentials ASE Certification, attending American Honda's training center and web based training American Honda provided, New car dealership management training
Awards and Honors 3 time Honda Top Tech finalist, achieved Honda Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Level Training status,achieved a training level of 99 percent of all current American Honda Traning center Modules and self study proformance modules in 1999, Re-certified ASE Master technician, L1 Advanced engine performance ASE certification
I've got an '05 Accord V6 w/ 6 spd transmission. I noticed that the travel of the parking brake lever was pretty long (like 12 clicks or so) and so I assumed the rear brakes needed to be replaced. This turned out to be true - so I got that done.
Here's the strange thing - the brake lever still travels 12 clicks or so. It didn't suddenly get shorter (like it used to on my old car). Is this normal? My old car had drum brakes and after a brake job, the handle travel was always much shorter.
Is it possible that because of the newer style caliper brakes in the back, the handle travels the same amount all the time and I just need to adjust that equalizer bracket in the center console?
FYI - I did check... When I pull the lever all the way up, both back wheels are locked and seem to hold equally... Everything else seems solid (popped off the calipers and checked the job).
Mark,
I must first thank you for how thorough you were in explaining your situation. Now I'll get your answers.
When new brakes shoes were installed on your previous car the hand brake would have required fewer "clicks" to set the parking brake. The new shoe's lining material was thicker and made contact with the drum sooner resulting in fewer "clicks" at the hand brake lever.
You are correct about adjusting the parking brake cables below the center console. If you tighten the threaded rod and nut it will decrease the number of "clicks" required to fully apply the parking brake. I think you will be much happier if you set it to about 9 "clicks".
thanks again , Gary
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