imported_SiR Cho

Hey,

I own a stock 2000 SiR. I have owned from new, and have driven for the past four years relatively trouble free. But in the last little while, problem after problem seems to be poping up.

Listed below are the problems. Any advice anyone can give me would be much appreciated. The car has been dealer maintained (ie. I know next to nothing about working on cars) and I just want to make sure they are not raping me by suggesting work that does not need to be done, or over charge me for work that does need to be done. Thank you in advance for your response.

1. squeaking from depression of the clutch was diagnosed as a problem with the master brake cylinder, which will have to be replaced eventually. I think they quoted something in the area of $300 - $400 for parts and labour.

2. shuddering while braking was traced to worn/slightly warped rotors. I was told, that it would probably be cheaper to replace the rotors later rather than machining them. Quoted around $500 for parts and labour.

3. the dealer replaced the bushings and links on the lower tie arm since they were making noises. but since then new noises have replaced them. the noises sound like something between a squeaking and clicking and usually occur, as far as I have been able to figure, under braking. the noise do not always sound, and did not when I mentioned it to the dealer of course. Any ideas?

Please excuse the length of this message.

kwikb16a2

1- This is very common problem with civics....i jus greased mine up and its all good.
2-$500 is fookin stupid for a front brake job. If your pads are still good then jus get a set of rotors....usually around $100 for the pair.
3-i dont what to say bout that

overall i think the dealer is trying to take advantage of you and i suggest going elsewhere

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

I wouldn't say "take advantage" of you, cuz those sound like more or less standard prices, but dear GOD... I could NEVER justify EVER spending that much money on just minor things... using ALL the same parts purchased at Parkway Honda and doing my labour myself, I could prolly do everything you just listed for about... $400 including new upper control arms (problem 3 - most likely diagnosis). If you take this car to our good friend Buddha, he'll take care of it proper for you, at a much more reasonable rate.

Chigga1

you know what, most of it is Maintenance.......

but this is not something that is BAD.
this is stuff as u mention that tends to wear on the vehicles.

good thing it aint electrical or anything like that.
that would suck large

do you have any friends who are mechanics???
get them to help you out, you'll save a bundle

imported_twinbros

Sounds to me just normal wear on your car.
You said you had it for 4 years. That sounds very common for Honda.

You can save money by joining TCC, get 10% discount at Parkway for your OEM replacement parts. Bring the parts to your trusted local garage and pay just the labour.

imported_ERTW

or just go to a honda dealer, say that you are from a shop called "hank's auto repair" and you want the parts at trade price.. that is somwhere between 30-40% cheaper.. look serious and it works most of the time.. just make up a better name than hank's..

imported_bevboyy

Time to get a Haynes or Chilton manual and start reading. You'll suddenly find out that a $500 front brake job is overpriced by a country mile..

imported_SiR Cho

Thanks for the replies. I feel much better, since it sounds like these things aren't too unusual for a four year old car.

Thank you for the opinions on the overpriced front brake job, as well as the suggestion to start taking more of a vested interest by learning to do some of this stuff myself.

Thanks lastly to bbarbulo for the upper control arm diagnosis, and the suggestion to check out buddha for prices.

imported_BoOsTd

the clutch problem is the slave cylender being dried out, a 5 doller tube of grease and ten mins of your time will fix it lol... new master ROFL, any honda mech knows about the squeeky clutches. def takeing that one in the butthole.

imported_BoOsTd

http://www.torontocivics.com/tccforums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26000&highlight=slave

Buddah

It's Buddah!!! ...well, I'm probably not the first person to say it but, the dealer will rape you.

To answer some of your questions:

1) The squeaking of the clutch has nothing to do with the brake master cylinder...entirely different system unless you were depressing the brake at the same time...still, wouldn't have an effect of the clutch system. As BOosTd said, it can be the slave cylinder...definately a more viable assumption than the brake master cylinder lol...I'd have to take a listen to be sure.

2) This diagnosis sounds accurate. Although, 500 bucks is rape-age for sure...lol. I can get Brembo Crossdrilled for less than that! LOL. A more reasonable quote for a set for front rotors with install is like somewhere in the ball park of close to 300 or less depending on the quality of the rotor itself.

3) As far as your last concern, I'm not sure what to make of it without a more accurate interpretation of this sound you are hearing...so many areas come to mind but, a lil help with the description would help narrow down the possibilities...or even a listen to the sound would also be good. PM me if you need any further assistance.

Cheers,
Buddah.