E-Brake Fix
14-Jun-2010, 03:25 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 5
E-Brake Fix
Hi, Newbie here,
I have 97 Civic EX 4-door Automatic, and I've recently noticed poor performance of my brakes and I took it to the garage and they said the e-brake was seized. So they manually pulled it off and disabled the e-brake for now because they didn't have time and parts to fix yet. I need to go back, but they said it'll cost a lot to fix, around $800.
I don't know what they are replacing, but it seems to cost a lot for my car, especially since I'm going to be selling it within a week. I don't think it'll pass safety but even if it did I believe it's the right thing to do get it fixed for whoever is buying it, although e-brake is rarely used with AT.
Anyway, does anyone have any ideas about this, and can anyone recommend a cheap and reliable shop for me to fix this e-brake?
I've had this car for nearly 6 years without a single problem.
Thanks in advance.
I have 97 Civic EX 4-door Automatic, and I've recently noticed poor performance of my brakes and I took it to the garage and they said the e-brake was seized. So they manually pulled it off and disabled the e-brake for now because they didn't have time and parts to fix yet. I need to go back, but they said it'll cost a lot to fix, around $800.
I don't know what they are replacing, but it seems to cost a lot for my car, especially since I'm going to be selling it within a week. I don't think it'll pass safety but even if it did I believe it's the right thing to do get it fixed for whoever is buying it, although e-brake is rarely used with AT.
Anyway, does anyone have any ideas about this, and can anyone recommend a cheap and reliable shop for me to fix this e-brake?
I've had this car for nearly 6 years without a single problem.
Thanks in advance.
14-Jun-2010, 03:39 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississauga and Woodstock
Posts: 616
Hi, Newbie here,
I have 97 Civic EX 4-door Automatic, and I've recently noticed poor performance of my brakes and I took it to the garage and they said the e-brake was seized. So they manually pulled it off and disabled the e-brake for now because they didn't have time and parts to fix yet. I need to go back, but they said it'll cost a lot to fix, around $800.
I don't know what they are replacing, but it seems to cost a lot for my car, especially since I'm going to be selling it within a week. I don't think it'll pass safety but even if it did I believe it's the right thing to do get it fixed for whoever is buying it, although e-brake is rarely used with AT.
Anyway, does anyone have any ideas about this, and can anyone recommend a cheap and reliable shop for me to fix this e-brake?
I've had this car for nearly 6 years without a single problem.
Thanks in advance.
I have 97 Civic EX 4-door Automatic, and I've recently noticed poor performance of my brakes and I took it to the garage and they said the e-brake was seized. So they manually pulled it off and disabled the e-brake for now because they didn't have time and parts to fix yet. I need to go back, but they said it'll cost a lot to fix, around $800.
I don't know what they are replacing, but it seems to cost a lot for my car, especially since I'm going to be selling it within a week. I don't think it'll pass safety but even if it did I believe it's the right thing to do get it fixed for whoever is buying it, although e-brake is rarely used with AT.
Anyway, does anyone have any ideas about this, and can anyone recommend a cheap and reliable shop for me to fix this e-brake?
I've had this car for nearly 6 years without a single problem.
Thanks in advance.
Where do you live? I know a very good mechanic in the west end of mississauga
14-Jun-2010, 03:40 PM
#3
Inactive
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Where my car is.
Posts: 5,460
Sounds like th ebrake cables were seized. But without seeing the car in person, it's hard to say exactly what the car needs.
It should definitely NOT cost $800 just to replace the cables... But then I don't know what else they were planning to replace that would be included in that cost. Half or more of that is probably just labour costs.
Another reason to do your own work, if you can.
It should definitely NOT cost $800 just to replace the cables... But then I don't know what else they were planning to replace that would be included in that cost. Half or more of that is probably just labour costs.
Another reason to do your own work, if you can.
14-Jun-2010, 04:21 PM
#4
i'll try checking a few japanese auto parts stores and see how much it costs for the cable... but im gunna guess 100-150 at the max..
and what... they just yanked that shi t outta there? i swear its illegal to drive w/o emergency brake?
i'm telling u right now. its around a 2 hour job, and 800 is a bit steep.. ill call my mechanic down here in scarborough too and see what he can do.
where are u located?
14-Jun-2010, 04:38 PM
#5
800 is super-overpriced IMO... a lot of people on this board have friends who are more than willing to offer you a better job/price..
on another note.. welcome to the club! check out our meets section and come out!! maybe you can get some feedback there as well..
on another note.. welcome to the club! check out our meets section and come out!! maybe you can get some feedback there as well..
14-Jun-2010, 04:46 PM
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 5
Thanks for all your replies.
I don't know what's causing it to seize, but it doesn't look like it's only the cable.
I think he was trying to force open the drum on the rear passenger side when it got seized.
He's been an honest mechanic for the past few years to me, with reliable costs to repair and good job done. But I think he's been slowly raising his cost recently because I've had a couple of regular maintenance done and he seemed to charge more than before. I think he charges like $90/hr which is pretty much dealer rate.
Anyway, I'm located in Thornhill area, and I'd really appreciate it if you could recommend a good mechanic who will do it at a reasonable cost.
I suspect I might have to replace the drums, but again, I'm not really sure, although I do small jobs at home and believe that I know about cars slightly above average level.
Do they do free estimates? Maybe I can drop by tomorrow and get the estimate.
Thanks a lot.
I don't know what's causing it to seize, but it doesn't look like it's only the cable.
I think he was trying to force open the drum on the rear passenger side when it got seized.
He's been an honest mechanic for the past few years to me, with reliable costs to repair and good job done. But I think he's been slowly raising his cost recently because I've had a couple of regular maintenance done and he seemed to charge more than before. I think he charges like $90/hr which is pretty much dealer rate.
Anyway, I'm located in Thornhill area, and I'd really appreciate it if you could recommend a good mechanic who will do it at a reasonable cost.
I suspect I might have to replace the drums, but again, I'm not really sure, although I do small jobs at home and believe that I know about cars slightly above average level.
Do they do free estimates? Maybe I can drop by tomorrow and get the estimate.
Thanks a lot.
14-Jun-2010, 06:31 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississauga and Woodstock
Posts: 616
Thanks for all your replies.
I don't know what's causing it to seize, but it doesn't look like it's only the cable.
I think he was trying to force open the drum on the rear passenger side when it got seized.
He's been an honest mechanic for the past few years to me, with reliable costs to repair and good job done. But I think he's been slowly raising his cost recently because I've had a couple of regular maintenance done and he seemed to charge more than before. I think he charges like $90/hr which is pretty much dealer rate.
Anyway, I'm located in Thornhill area, and I'd really appreciate it if you could recommend a good mechanic who will do it at a reasonable cost.
I suspect I might have to replace the drums, but again, I'm not really sure, although I do small jobs at home and believe that I know about cars slightly above average level.
Do they do free estimates? Maybe I can drop by tomorrow and get the estimate.
Thanks a lot.
I don't know what's causing it to seize, but it doesn't look like it's only the cable.
I think he was trying to force open the drum on the rear passenger side when it got seized.
He's been an honest mechanic for the past few years to me, with reliable costs to repair and good job done. But I think he's been slowly raising his cost recently because I've had a couple of regular maintenance done and he seemed to charge more than before. I think he charges like $90/hr which is pretty much dealer rate.
Anyway, I'm located in Thornhill area, and I'd really appreciate it if you could recommend a good mechanic who will do it at a reasonable cost.
I suspect I might have to replace the drums, but again, I'm not really sure, although I do small jobs at home and believe that I know about cars slightly above average level.
Do they do free estimates? Maybe I can drop by tomorrow and get the estimate.
Thanks a lot.
Royal Windsor Auto
Royal Windsor Drive, Mississauga, ON L5J 1K5 - (905) 822-2886 Ask for Steve. Tell him you know Nick and Rick.
15-Jun-2010, 12:06 PM
#10
Inactive
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Where my car is.
Posts: 5,460
Thanks for all your replies.
I don't know what's causing it to seize, but it doesn't look like it's only the cable.
I think he was trying to force open the drum on the rear passenger side when it got seized.
He's been an honest mechanic for the past few years to me, with reliable costs to repair and good job done. But I think he's been slowly raising his cost recently because I've had a couple of regular maintenance done and he seemed to charge more than before. I think he charges like $90/hr which is pretty much dealer rate.
Anyway, I'm located in Thornhill area, and I'd really appreciate it if you could recommend a good mechanic who will do it at a reasonable cost.
I suspect I might have to replace the drums, but again, I'm not really sure, although I do small jobs at home and believe that I know about cars slightly above average level.
Do they do free estimates? Maybe I can drop by tomorrow and get the estimate.
Thanks a lot.
I don't know what's causing it to seize, but it doesn't look like it's only the cable.
I think he was trying to force open the drum on the rear passenger side when it got seized.
He's been an honest mechanic for the past few years to me, with reliable costs to repair and good job done. But I think he's been slowly raising his cost recently because I've had a couple of regular maintenance done and he seemed to charge more than before. I think he charges like $90/hr which is pretty much dealer rate.
Anyway, I'm located in Thornhill area, and I'd really appreciate it if you could recommend a good mechanic who will do it at a reasonable cost.
I suspect I might have to replace the drums, but again, I'm not really sure, although I do small jobs at home and believe that I know about cars slightly above average level.
Do they do free estimates? Maybe I can drop by tomorrow and get the estimate.
Thanks a lot.
I've run into this problem with my wife's car from time to time. When it happens I have to pull the drum off and keep pulling the e-brake and freeing it up, soaking it with penatrating fluid until it frees up and retracks on it's own. I usually have to do this once a year though. Usually in the spring.
I still can't see replacing the cables and a few parts in the rear drums costing $800...
If you're in markham, try defcon.
16-Jun-2010, 01:12 AM
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 5
OK, went to the garage again to get the proper estimate and they quoted $280 taxes-in, to replace the e-brake cable. Originally they quoted replacing the whole brake assembly and possibly front pads and rotors so it was really rough estimate of that.
Anyway, they said part $35 and rest is labor which takes them 3+ hours.
Is this a legit quote? I'm not sure if I should get it done before selling, or sell the car as is and just give the buyer discount for the parking brake job...
Anyway, they said part $35 and rest is labor which takes them 3+ hours.
Is this a legit quote? I'm not sure if I should get it done before selling, or sell the car as is and just give the buyer discount for the parking brake job...
16-Jun-2010, 03:17 AM
#12
Inactive
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: N/A
Posts: 4,641
I would strongly suggest you do the breaks because of few reasons. If you still drive the car, its illegal and not safe to drive around with no e-brake. Also, that would turn many potential buyers away from buying it because its something that needs to be done ASAP and in the end you will get bargained a lot more than the price of the repair.
But that's just my opinion.
But that's just my opinion.
16-Jun-2010, 09:49 AM
#15
Inactive
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Where my car is.
Posts: 5,460
OK, went to the garage again to get the proper estimate and they quoted $280 taxes-in, to replace the e-brake cable. Originally they quoted replacing the whole brake assembly and possibly front pads and rotors so it was really rough estimate of that.
Anyway, they said part $35 and rest is labor which takes them 3+ hours.
Is this a legit quote? I'm not sure if I should get it done before selling, or sell the car as is and just give the buyer discount for the parking brake job...
Anyway, they said part $35 and rest is labor which takes them 3+ hours.
Is this a legit quote? I'm not sure if I should get it done before selling, or sell the car as is and just give the buyer discount for the parking brake job...
And yes, get it done before selling. People are much more likely to buy a car already certified and ready to go.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MPR
Civic DIY Tutorials - Info
8
29-Jul-2009 12:44 AM
imported_dirtywat
Honda Civic Performance - JDM Discussion
4
10-Oct-2006 04:25 PM
rotaryrocket
Honda Civic (+ other) Parts/Accessories for Sale or Trade
1
20-Feb-2006 12:07 PM
