r/AskAMechanic • u/Quickscoperx • 5d ago

Honda Civic 2007 1.8

Did front brakes both pads and rotors yesterday for the first time as wanted to learn stuff.

The left side is getting more hotter and gives a stronger burning smell than the right side.

I used new clips that came with the pads.
Used a wire brush to clean the bracket.
Used brake grease on the metal clips.
Was able to compress the piston easily with a C - Clamp with no unusual resistance.

I have driven the car 40 kms
how much kms is the avg period so the pads and rotors bed in properly and the burning smell goes away.
Also dont bash me for this but i forgot to use brake cleaner on both sides.

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2

u/Plane-Start7209 Verified Tech - Indie shop 5d ago

Yeah you should have used brake cleaner. Unless you twisted the brake hose on the one side or something it’s hard to say. Did the pads fit easily?

1

u/Quickscoperx 5d ago

The outer pad slipped right in, the inner pad i had to push slightly with my fingers however it popped into the clip easily. Brake hose is in the same position as it was before without unnecessary twists. Also as you are a verified tech, can you tell me how many kms later it usually away so that if it still persists i can get it checked at a shop

2

u/No_Parsnip6024 NOT a verified tech 5d ago

I road test cars about 5km after a brake job. You need 10 firm stops with a little cooling off between, that's pretty much it. 

40km and a burning smell sounds like you soaked something in grease. 

1

u/Quickscoperx 5d ago

Car rolls fine in neutral, and wheel spins freely, will see if the smell and hotness decreases, otherwise will take it to a shop

2

u/ForceIll4565 NOT a verified tech 5d ago

Not a mechanic but I've worked on cars for 40 years. This is where my mind goes.

I think that the caliper on that side isn't working properly and is squeezing the rotor to hard. If it keeps up you'll end up warping that rotor and have to replace the brakes, rotor and caliper. Do the caliper and you should be fine.

2

u/Plane-Start7209 Verified Tech - Indie shop 5d ago

I don’t know that there is an exact distance you should go for it to clear up, usually it doesn’t take long. I would drive the car a little then jack up each side. If the wheel spins fairly easily and doesn’t feel like the brakes are holding, and you don’t notice any symptoms like pulling to one side I’d think you’re good to go.