How To: Acura Legend GS Sedan Dual Piston Caliper Swap

[timot_one]

Here's a pretty simple How To for swapping your calipers.  If you've ever replaced your rotors, then you'll find this just as easy, with only the addition of bleeding your brakes after you swap the calipers.

I'll be updating the post with pics eventually.

Parts Needed
1994-95 Acura Legend GS Sedan dual piston calipers - OEM Part #
Left Caliper - 45230-SP0-E01
Right Caliper - 45210-SP0-E01
i4: New Rotors (for the Legend GS Sedan or LS Coupe) - OEM Part # 45251-SP0-E00
V6: New Rotors (for the Accord V6 [these will not fit the i4]) - OEM Part # 45251-TA6-A00
New Brake Pads (for the Legend GS Sedan) - OEM Part # 45022-SL0-G02

Tools Needed
I will update this with the list of tools needed since I forgot all the sizes of everything.
Air tools are preferred, but you can get away with hand tools if you don't have access to air tools and a compressor.
Impact Wrench
Universal joint (may not be needed depending on the size of your impact wrench)
19mm deep socket (or whatever fits your wheel lugs)
17mm socket
10mm wrench
impact driver with a phillips head tip
hammer (a.k.a. - swing press)
bucket (to drain brake fluid in)
pb blaster
brake/parts cleaner

Step 1
- put your car up on jack stands
- remove your wheels
- hit your caliper bracket bolts with some pb blaster

Step 2
- remove the 2 17mm bolts holding the caliper brackets to the knuckle
- remove the calipers and rest them on the front lower arm (do not disconnect the brake lines yet)
- remove the 2 phillips head screws holding the rotor to the hub using the impact driver and hammer and pull the rotor off

Step 3
- install the new rotor on the hub and replace the 2 screws
- clean the rotors with brake/parts cleaner
- put the new pads in the new calipers and install them on the rotors making sure to swap the sides (install the right caliper on the driver side and the left caliper on the passenger side)
- replace and tighten the 17mm bolts that hold the caliper brackets to the knuckle

Step 4
- disconnect the brake lines from the old calipers with the 10mm wrench
- transfer the brake lines to the new calipers, making sure to replace the copper crush washers with new ones

Step 5
- bleed your brakes (make sure to pump them up slowly to avoid agitating the brake fluid and creating air bubbles)

Step 6
- put your wheels back on
- put your car on the ground

Step 7
- make sure your brakes are working properly before going out for a test drive
- bed in your new rotors and pads

[Skippy]

This thread is really great but it needs pics.  I didn't know that it was this simple to do this swap!  Tell us a little about your experience with the new setup, Tim.  I want to get your before/after opinions!

[rjp6262]

anyway how much more of a difference is it with these compared to the stock one pistions?

[timot_one]

I will try to take pics this summer when I do a little bit of maintenance.  It's just as easy as changing your rotors and pads and then bleeding your brakes.  I'll give a brief history about my brakes though.  I had the issue with my front end shuddering at highway speeds because of the pads.  The dealership turned my rotors and replaced my pads.  Afterwards, I got Power Slot slotted rotors and Hawk HPS pads.  I hated that set up because the rotors were junk and would shake when they heated up.  I wasn't a fan of the pads either because they created a ton of brake dust.  Now I have the Brembo Blank rotors and Brembo Sport pads and have been fairly happy with the set up.  With the new calipers, they do bite a lot better and overall braking performance has improved.

[Fenix]

thats what i was contimplating doing when i upgrade my brake setup, the brembo blanks. Thanks for the info Tim

[rjp6262]

good stuff. im trying to find me a set of these calipers! mine shudder at highway speeds as well so i want to get new pads and rotors.

[thisaznboi88]

i4: New Rotors (for the Legend GS Sedan or LS Coupe)
V6: New Rotors (for the Accord V6 [these will not fit the i4])

Is this suppose to say from? or for? I thought the legend rotors are 11.1in like the i4 accord??

[rjp6262]

i4: New Rotors (for the Legend GS Sedan or LS Coupe)
V6: New Rotors (for the Accord V6 [these will not fit the i4])

Is this suppose to say from? or for? I thought the legend rotors are 11.1in like the i4 accord??

those are what you need to get based on what engine you have i believe.

[thisaznboi88]

i don't know the wording is all weird. ill just ask tim directly then.

[InFuMoUs]

What he's basically saying is that if you got an I4 you need the Legend GS Sedan or LS Coupe rotors. If you got a V6, you can use the Accord V6 rotors, but you can't use the V6 rotors on the I4 since you'll have clearance issues.

[thisaznboi88]

TY I totally get it now!! I found a place that is selling it for 80 + core. and kragen is selling it 100+ core

[AV6NHBP6SPD]

what about this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Accord

This Accord became the first Honda to employ double-wishbones at both the front and rear ends -- a layout that spread to the Civic and Prelude in 1988 and the Integra in 1990. While more expensive than competitors' Macpherson strut systems, this setup provided better stability and sharper handling for the vehicle. All have front and rear stabilizer bars as well. Brakes were either large 4-wheel discs with twin-piston calipers (as in the JDM Si model), smaller 4-wheel discs with single piston calipers, or a front disc/rear drum system. ABS was also available as an option on the 4-wheel disc brake models, though not in North America. Base model Accords rode on 13-inch steel wheels with hubcaps with more expensive models having the option of 14-inch alloy wheels.


anybody can confirm this or am i missing something?

[Antoni0_23]

Would the AV6 Hawk performance Pads work with the Legend's calipers?

[InFuMoUs]

Would the AV6 Hawk performance Pads work with the Legend's calipers?

I dont think you can put honda accord brake pads in legend calipers. You probably would have to buy brake pads specifically made for the 94-95 Acura Legend. So if hawk, ebc, brembo or whatever other manufacturer makes them for the 94-95 Legend, then you gotta buy that one.

[timot_one]

Steve is correct.  You cannot use pads for and Accord in these calipers.  You must use pads made for '94-'95 Legend GS Sedans.  Fortunately, Hawk makes pads for the Legend GS Sedan.

Misha, I'm not sure, but it's worth investigating.