89 lude brakes and more

[cucurumbe]

89 lude brake system. Has anyone totally overhauled one. Just looking for some advice. also wanted to know what servicing i needed to do on her before i try starting her, shes been down for a few months.

[spiffyguido]

Never overhauled a brake system, but it shouldn't be too hard. Key components are the rotors, calipers and master cylinder. Your lines will probably be fine.

There is a rebuild kit available from Honda for the master cylinder if you're looking to save some coin. For rotors, I'd stick with Honda ones, or get some from Brembo. Stay away from cross-drilled rotors as the crack easily unless you buy REALLY high quality ones.

Changing the calipers and rotors are a breeze. Basically bolt on type work. Once everything is done, you flush and bleed the brake fluid and you're good to go.

If your car hasn't run in a while, I'd think about freshening the oil and make sure everything is clean. Start it up, and let it idle for a while so that the oil can circulate in up into the cylinders and warm up all the seals. Once warm, then take her for a spin.

[cucurumbe]

Appreciate the help on the brakes and more. Let me ask you guys another question. My 2.0 is automatic and its great for commuting and being in bumper to bumper traffic. But i really have my heart set on a manual. I was thinking of buying a standard 2.0 and parting out my automatic. can you drop an automatic into a manual transmission bay fairly easy. or that is to say, without any modifications? And also where can i go to find a b21? Man are they scarse!

[spiffyguido]

Okay, if I'm understanding you correctly, you're asking about putting an automatic engine into a manual transmissioned car, correct?

Between a manual transmission Prelude and an auto prelude there are very few differences, save a few important ones. Here's what's different:

-The engines are the same and can be interchanged, but the ECU must be swapped. Automatic ECUs have different programming, so if you switch the tranny you must also switch the ecu.
-The gauge clusters are different, although I'm pretty sure you could use the automatic guage cluster with a manual transmission and it wouldn't matter. The gear indicator lights just wouldn't work.
-Obviously the clutching system is present in the manual version of the Prelude, but since I think you're wanting to put an automatic engine into the manual car, this won't be an issue for you.

Regarding the B21. They are most easily found in auto wreckers in my experience, or order one off ebay. Remember that the B21 is an OBD1 engine while the B20A5 is a OBD0 engine, so if you get a B21, you also need the ECU, wire harness and most importantly, the OBD1 distributor. Other than that they are interchangeable.

Hit back with more questions if you have any.

[cucurumbe]

Hey guys how is everyone. I've got another question. When i shift into drive, reverse, or park, my transmission bucks as if the motor mounts are bad. I've located the three that are in the front, in back, and at the front by the condenser, but the fourth near the firewall is giving me problems. Is it supposed to be between the transmission and the cross beam or somewhere else? If it is supposed to be there its gone and that would explain the huge leakage in that area if its bouncing on that cross member. Could there be another reason for my problem? Can someone point me in the right direction?

[spiffyguido]

Could be bad motor mounts. A bad motor mount will often give some wicked vibrations during driving though. Have a look at each one and check the rubber inserts for cracking, breakage, etc.

I've attached a picture of the motor mount locations:

If all motor mounts are present and accounted for, then we should start looking at this as being caused by a problem with the tranny. Let us know what you find.

[cucurumbe]

Hey guys . What's going on? Have another question. My battery is being drained by my back lights. They just stay on all the time. Does anyone have the wiring diagram for the brake system. I looked in the manuals section but didn't see anything? Any help would be appreciated.

[spiffyguido]

The wiring diagram for the tailights is on page 16-120 of the manual.

Can you tell which ones are staying on? Is it you brake lights or the taillights. You probably just have a problem with wiring, or with a switch somewhere. I'd start looking for shorts.

Your front lights aren't staying on, correct?

[cucurumbe]

No the front lights seem to be working properly.I think its the brake lights. when I depress the switch at the brake pedal the lights go out, but they don't come on with the light switch. When you press the brake the lights don't get any brighter so i think its the brake lights that are on.thanks for all your help. let me know what you think.

[spiffyguido]

There's a problem with the wiring, for sure. Try chasing the wires and see if you can find a fault somewhere. I'd start at the switch and work from there. It's almost like the switch isn't disengaging, because it's like you have your foot on the brake all the time.

[cucurumbe]

Spiff have you looked at the brake switch thats located at the front of the pedal? The plate that is welded to brake pedal arm is supposed to disengage the switch when you press the brake right? The plate has a hole in the middle of it that allows the push button on the switch to remain disengaged even when you take your foot off the pedal. Is that plate supposed to be that way? If it is how does that switch by the pedal operate? A little knowledge please, thanks in advance.

[cucurumbe]

Hey just figured it out. I knew that plate with a hole in it didn't make sense. I looked around on the floor board and found the remains of plug so i think i figured it out. Like with all electrical I needed to go back and look again the tail lights are working just fine. problem solved I think. I'll let you guys know.