Rep Power: 0

Good evening-
have a 2006 civic w/ 155,000 miles on it. Needed to replace brakes. With so many miles I couldn’t justify paying $600 for brakes and decided to do it myself. Got everything apart to the pads. Bought OEM pads and rotors. The pads don’t fit. Ears/tabs too long. Ordered new ones and won’t get them via mail for some reason (assuming Christmas deliveries). The only alternative is to drive to Honda and get their pads, assuming they’ll be cut to shape/fit correctly. Put back old pads and trying to get caliper back on but there’s a pretty good size gap between the pad bracket and caliper. I read or saw somewhere that you shouldn’t retract the caliper because it won’t be able to push worn pads because of the new distance created. When I do screw them in and hit the pump the breaks the pins with the rubber bushing expand.

Two questions: should I retract that caliper and drive up to the dealership or is it safe to grind the newer pads down a little to get the better fit? Getting desperate. I take care of my elderly dad and really need to have a vehicle in case something is needed on his end.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated

thanks bud but

Gap

 
Rep Power: 221

Push the caliper in, use an old pad and channel locks, or you can get a special tool. if you bought oem pads they should fit correctly. I've had to file aftermarket pads a couple of times if they're the cheap ones.