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1989 Honda Prelude Brakes Lock Up

HONDA PRELUDE
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DMG1978
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have an 89 Honda Prelude, with 300,000 miles on the car, 150,000 on the motor. I bought it with a failed brake system. I have replaced the following parts.

all four calipers, master cylinder, proportioning valve, front brake hoses, pads.
my problem is when i get a few miles down the road my front brake calipers(right & left) completly lock up and my car comes to a comlpete stop. after a while(few hours)the pressure seems to back off and i can drive it home. what could cause this problem??
I have checked and the calipers are working as they should. I have no problems with bleeding. the brakes work great up until they seize up.

Any Suggestions
Nov 19, 2006 at 7:00 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 3,754 POSTS
First of all, does it lock up once you put the foot on the brake or do they do it on their own? I would not want to affend you but the bleeding is SOOOOO very important. It is basically a two man job.

When it locks up are you noticing any one side or particular brake that is doing it?

Bleeding!
Nov 19, 2006 at 2:54 PM
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DMG1978
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
yeah, the left side more than right, but i have had the system power bled at an auto service center. the tend to lock up on their own, the first time was on the highway, never touched the brakes. I am actually on my third master cylinder, and third proportioning vavle. i am going to try another set of calipers and go from there.
I will definitly take the advice and bleed bleed bleed.

thanks.
Nov 20, 2006 at 3:36 AM
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DMG1978
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
i am back to say that i found my problem. My pedal was to far out of adjustment and was sticking. I followed my manual and adjusted it accordingly and so far no stick. I hope this is my cure and i will be able to enjoy my car.

thanks for the help.
Nov 23, 2006 at 2:00 PM
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Suggested Repair

Adjust the brake pedal free play and height to the service-manual specification so the pedal is not sticking and holding residual pressure. Thoroughly bleed the brake system, preferably with two people, and recheck that the calipers release after driving.

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Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1989 Honda Prelude reported that the front calipers, especially the left, locked up after a few miles even without applying the brakes, then released after several hours. Calipers, master cylinder, proportioning valve, front hoses, and pads had already been replaced, and the system had been power bled. The expert stressed proper two-person bleeding and asked whether the lockup was one-sided or occurred without pedal input. The owner later found the brake pedal was too far out of adjustment and sticking; adjusting it per the manual stopped the sticking.

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