Brakes-do front or back wear out first?

Tiny
JAKESJAKES
  • MEMBER
  • HONDA ACCORD
I have a 2001 Honda Accord. 6cyl. 4 door. Mileage 38.000.

I always thought that the front brakes wear out before the rear brakes due to the weight of the engine and the momentum when brakes are applied. In fact, with all my previous cars, I would have to replace the front brakes twice before I had to replace the rear brakes. But, my Honda dealer says that it is just the opposite with my Honda Accord! According to my dealer. The rear brakes wear out before the front brakes. Is that true? If so, why?

What mileage should brakes be replaced?

Thank you.

Jake
Thursday, May 25th, 2006 AT 1:40 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
My two cents worth:

The front pads should go first. That is from Honda experience.

The brakes have a built in piece that will cause the brakes to squeek when they are ready to be replaced. You can also see the brakes by simply pulling off a wheel to inspect them. Sometimes depending upon the rims you have you can inspect them without pulling off a rim. The mileage will vary according to the type of pad installed and the driving environment is which you subject the vehicle.
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Thursday, May 25th, 2006 AT 3:06 PM
Tiny
SDALTON19
  • MECHANIC
  • 87 POSTS
The front brakes pads always wear out first on all cars that is where 70% of you braking power comes from how long they last depends on how you drive the car I personally wouldnt wait until you hear them squeek as sometimes this may mean you cant turn the rotors because the built in pad indicator that makes them squeek when its time to replace them could have been bent when installed meaning that when you do finally hear the noise it wont be from the wear indicator but the backing of the brake pad digging into the rotor this will cost more to have your brakes done if you have to replace the rotors it is best to have your brakes checked regularly or when you hear any noise from the brakes
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Thursday, May 25th, 2006 AT 10:05 PM
Tiny
TIRGANG
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hi,

My rear brakes wore out before my front on a 2004 Buick Rendezvous ( 70,000 miles). Does this indicate something is wrong with my braking system?

I did replace the front pads/rotor as well (replaced them first, in fact, assuming that it was the fronts that were failing). I noticed that the rubber around the one piston was somewhat splayed out and attempted to correct it when I put the caliper back on. Any chance this would cause the rears to wear prematurely?

Thanks,
Todd
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Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 AT 2:50 PM

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