The front calipers on the Honda Civic EX are known as sliding calipers. The two bolts holding the calipers in are screwed into pins that are designed to allow the caliper to slide, slightly, back and forth. Over time, these pins can become rusty or just covered in debris, which prevents them from sliding as freely. This lack of movement can cause one brake pad to constantly rub against the rotor and wear out faster. Fortunately, these pins can be removed and reconditioned with relative ease.

Instructions

1

Loosen the lug nuts from the Civics front wheels.

2

Place the floor jack beneath the Civic and raise the front end.

3

Put jack stands beneath the vehicle to secure it.

4

Remove the front wheels by removing the lug nuts and pulling the wheel off.

5

Look on the rear of the brake caliper and locate the upper and lower bolts, known as caliper bolts.

6

Loosen and remove the caliper bolts, using the ratchet and socket. If the pin that the bolts screw into spins, use the open end of a combination wrench to hold, keeping it from turning.

7

Pull the caliper from the brake assembly and attach it to a suspension component using a bungee strap.

8

Look on the caliper bracket, the metal object that the caliper was bolted to. Locate the two caliper pins, the two objects that the caliper bolts were screwed into.

9

Remove the caliper pins by grabbing them with the channel-lock pliers and pulling them outward. A light twisting motion may help. Notice the rubber boots will remain attached to the caliper bracket, pull these rubber boots from the bracket.

10

Insert the metal pipe cleaner into the holes in the caliper bracket where the caliper pins were inserted. Clean the entire bore of these holes with an in-and-out motion of the metal pipe cleaner.

11

Place the rubber boots back on the caliper bracket until they properly sit on the grooves provided.

12

Remove any rust or debris from the caliper pins, using the wire brush. Never use sandpaper, as this creates a rough surface and limits the pins ability to slide.

13

Spray the pins with the brake parts cleaner and wipe them with a shop rag.

14

Repeat steps 10 and 11 until the pins are completely clean and smooth.

15

Apply a generous coat of an anti-seize chemical to the length of both pins and reinsert them into the caliper bracket. Make certain the rubber boots sit in the grooves on the pins.

16

Remove the caliper from the bungee strap and place it over the brake pads.

17

Hand-tighten the upper and lower caliper bolts.

18

Hold the caliper pins with the open end of a combination wrench, and tighten the caliper bolts, using a ratchet and socket.

19

Repeat steps 5 through 18 for any other caliper pins needing repair.

20

Place the wheels back on the Civic and hand-tighten the lugs.

21

Remove the jack stands from under the vehicle, and slowly lower it to the ground.

22

Tighten the lugs to 80 foot-pounds, using the torque wrench and a socket.

23

Press and release the brake pedal to ensure the brakes are working properly.

Read More..

At some point, most people have had a ding in the windshield of their car. Whether from a rock, hail or other debris, a windshield ding needs to be repaired so that it does not expand into a larger hole. Windshield repair work can be quite expensive if a professional is hired, and many insurance companies do not cover windshield repair. The good news is that you can fix a windshield ding yourself without spending a lot of money. There are a variety of types of windshield repair kits on the market. One of the most-common types uses a syringe and adhesive.

Instructions

1

Purchase a windshield repair kit to fix the windshield ding. You can purchase these kits at most auto parts and supply stores.

2

Clean the windshield thoroughly with glass cleaner and paper towels to remove any dirt and debris. Dry the windshield. The windshield should also be around room temperature or higher. The car may need to sit inside of a garage to get the windshield to an acceptable temperature.

3

Remove the adhesive strip from the windshield repair kit. Peel off the film backing on one side of the adhesive. The adhesive is already pre-cut.

4

Center the pre-cut adhesive over the ding in the windshield. Use your thumbnail or small blunt object to rub over the adhesive several times. Peel off the top film.

5

Adjust the enclosed plastic adapter so that the fitting is as upright as possible and stick it to the film. Rub the adhesive again with a blunt object or your fingernail.

6

Remove the cap from the enclosed syringe, holding it with the pointed end. Fasten the syringe to the plastic adapter.

7

Hold the body of the syringe with one hand so that it is stable. Extend the syringe handle as far as it will allow by pulling it up. Keep the handle in this position for one minute. The adhesive will make its way down through the ding and into the glass.

8

Push the syringe handle back down quickly after one full minute has expired. The pressure from releasing it quickly will force the adhesive down into the crack. Repeat this about six times, pulling the syringe handle up and slamming it down quickly.

9

Take away the syringe, as well as the adapter and adhesive sheet. You will notice a film on the glass from the adhesive. Dampen a paper towel with rubbing alcohol to remove the adhesive only from around the ding. Avoid putting alcohol onto the ding itself. Shave off any protruding adhesive from the ding with a razor blade.

Read More..

In the midst of a 2,000 mile journey and over 800 miles from home the wiper system failed during a downpour. I had no tools and there was a deadline to travel 800 miles within 17 hours.

The wiper arm had no control or sync with the wiper controls. So I narrowed down the issue to be the wiper arm loose on the wiper motor. Driving at highway speeds the wiper would edge up on the window as wind caught it. Luckily C$ was able to pull the wiper arm back down every few hours.

So, I stopped at a fuel station and bought a bottle of Rain-X, and applied it to the windshield. This worked to get back before the deadline without a wiper.

The Rain-X did its job and we were able to make the drive in 15 hours.

Once I was able to get to tools I took the wiper arm off of the car using an alen head to remove the plastic cover and an 18mm wrench to remove the retaining nut holding the wiper arm to the car.

The teeth inside of the wiper arm were stripped, but the teeth on the wiper motor gear were in perfect condition. I blew on the wiper arm teeth to clear out the metal shavings.

I aligned the wiper arm onto the wiper motor gear. I tightened the 18mm nut, to hold the wiper arm on, and re-installed the wiper arm cover. Volla! It works again. Free fix!

Read More..

The rear drivers side windows on your vehicle may occasionally become stuck in either the closed or open position. The usual causes of this malfunction include the untimely failure of the window regulator or window motor. The window can also fall off or become stuck on its track if the glue holding the window to the track fails or if the track is obstructed by debris. Diagnosing and repairing this problem necessitates the removal of the interior door panel and trim.

Instructions

1

Turn the ignition key to the "On" position and attempt to operate the rear drivers side power windows. If you can hear the motor operating but the window wont move up or down, the window may be stuck on its track. If you cant hear the motor operating, the motor may need replacement. Check the fuses for the power windows before attempting to remove the window motor.

2

Disconnect the negative terminal cable from the battery with a wrench. This will decrease the likelihood of shock and prevent the battery from being drained.

3

Open the rear drivers side door. Remove the interior door panel and trim. The method for removing the panel and trim will vary depending on the vehicle. Consult your vehicles service manual and be sure to keep track of all clips and screws.

4

Inspect the windows track for signs of obstruction. You may need to apply a liberal amount of lithium grease to the track. If the window is off-track, clean the window of all adhesive and apply urethane-based glue to the windows mounting point. Reattach the window to the mounting point and leave the window undisturbed in the up position for one to two days.

5

Inspect the window regulator and motor. The window regulator will need to be replaced if the cables are snapped or frayed. If the window motor does not work, it will also need to be removed. Methods for removing both components may vary depending on the vehicle.

6

Reattach the door panel and trim to the rear drivers side door when finished. Close the door and reattach the negative terminal cable to the battery.

Read More..