brake pad changing

[guest3072]

I am new to automatic cars and have a jazz 2006 .
When in park are the brakes applied when the engine is switched off ?
If so how do I change the brake pads ?
I have noticed that when moving for the first time in a morning the
brakes make a popping noise as they free off and I am used to
parking in a level garage with no handbrake applied on the manual type
of car with just a chock under one wheel .

[guest869]

When in park the brakes are not applied. Park effectively locks the gearbox so it can not turn.

The popping noise is the brakes sticking on and nothing really to worry about in the damp, but they should not do it in the dry.

Brakes pads are easy to change with basic hand tools.

[guest1583]

    are you trying to re place the front or the rear brake pads?Some jazz has drum rear brakes and disc type on the front. Disc pads are fairly easy to re place just make sure to buy quality pads, ferodo brands are among the best...

[DV]

Does anyone know how often recommended to replace the flexible brake hoses on the cars? (and what quality/type recommended than?)
When the brake fluid is changed is it recommended to replace at the same time the clutch fluid too or is it filled for life? I have not found any info about replacing the clutch fluid.

Is it worth to install Brembo brake disks and pads onto the Jazz?
http://www.nextdaybrakes.com/?gclid=CPji3d7GmK4CFVAhtAodUmOKJg.

[VicW]

DV,  Brake hoses do not require replacement at regular intervals and are subject to inspection as part of the MoT inspection at three years old and onwards.
The clutch fluid is not subject to replacement as there are safety aspects attached to clutch fluid.It doesn't get hot like brake fluid does which is where the danger lies when any water absorbed by the brake fluid can boil and cause bubbles in the fluid.This then compresses and reduces the effectiveness of the brakes.
Installing high performance brake systems on a Jazz is a waste of money,in my opinion, as the Jazz is not a high performance car and has more than adequate brakes as standard.

Vic

[culzean]

replace clutch fluid when it looks dirty !!

I have replaced fluid once and it is a bit of a job to get pipe onto the bleed nipple on the clutch slave cylinder and also to be able to get a tool onto it to turn it open and closed as you pump the clutch pedal - maybe a MityVac pump or similar would be better.

[DV]

I believe my clutch fluid had never been replaced since new because it looks dirty now.

[guest869]

Installing high performance brake systems on a Jazz is a waste of money,in my opinion, as the Jazz is not a high performance car and has more than adequate brakes as standard.

Vic

Well I got brake fade quite easily on my Jazz which was surprising.  So I would not describe the brakes as more than adequate, more like barely adequate.
As far as I am aware that was with Honda discs and pads on the car and not poor quality pads.

[VicW]

John, Under what conditions and how often do you get brake fade on your Jazz?

Vic.

[guest869]

John, Under what conditions and how often do you get brake fade on your Jazz?

Vic.

I was in the Lake District and had been driving reasonably quickly over a moorland road then started going downhill. I got brake fade after a couple of bends going downhill. I was surprised just how quickly they faded as I have driven many other cars a lot quicker and the brakes have lasted longer before they faded.

That is the only time I have faded them but I have not really tried since. I will try again sometime!

[culzean]

When was your brake fluid last changed ?   Brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs water) and water in the fluid can be deadly under prolonged heavy braking because it can boil and drastically reduce brake  efficiency. 

Also cheap pads can be a problem as they can overheat and form gas at the braking surface,  the Honda discs are not cross drilled and grooved to disperse this gas and it can lift the pads off the disc.

I have personally never had a problem with brake fade even on steep mountain roads in Wales and Scotland.

[VicW]

I have also toured extensively on Welsh and Scottish mountain roads and never experienced brake fade.
I do know what brake fade feels like.I drove a borrowed Chevrolet Camaro in Canada that had a modified engine and suspension but was still running on the standard drum brakes.
The brakes faded at the slightest provocation and it leaves you with a feeling of total helplessness!!

Vic.

[guest869]

When was your brake fluid last changed ?   Brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs water) and water in the fluid can be deadly under prolonged heavy braking because it can boil and drastically reduce brake  efficiency. 

Also cheap pads can be a problem as they can overheat and form gas at the braking surface,  the Honda discs are not cross drilled and grooved to disperse this gas and it can lift the pads off the disc.

I have personally never had a problem with brake fade even on steep mountain roads in Wales and Scotland.

I bought the car with Honda service history so it should have had Honda pads and discs.

Our understanding of brake fade must be different. As far as I understand water in the brake fluid will give a different failure to what I understand to be brake fade.

Brake fade to me (and in all the books I have read) is where the pads overheat. The pedal feel does not change much (if anything goes slightly harder), the car does not slow down and there is a burning smell. This is what I had.

I have never had a problem due to water in the fluid boiling which I understand will cause a soft pedal.

I was surprised when they did fade as I was driving quickly but certainly nothing more than 80%.

[guest1844]

After a few fast stops in succession (not my normal driving style) I have experienced a bit of fade. I like the feel of the Jazz's brakes as a nice firm pedal and very progressive action, but I have had a few times hit the bottom of the pedal travel (!) and the ABS still not kicked in (in the dry). Pedal still firm suggesting the fluid is OK. When cold you get the ABS.
I will be changing the brake fluid next time I service the car. I had wondered about using high performance disks/pads next time they're needed. The car is not supposed to be a sports car but a simple upgrade might be worthwhile for only a few extra pounds. In an emergency stop you want to know that all wheels have got the max braking force - ie the point at which the ABS kicks off.

[guest2227]

Brake fluid should be changed every 2/3 years really, then try fitting some decent brake pads, the likes of EBC green stuff or maybe even red stuff if you really like hard braking time & again then you will have no more brake fade 
With brake pads you DO get what you pay for & some...well you have to wonder how they get OE marked, or they are faked !