Mechanics: What would you do?

[ChunkyMonkey]

... or get that bear of the shelby!

[Bowtie]

Here is a how to write up and honda front brakes.
http://spoon.org/civic/DIY-Brakes/

The only issue I see is getting the screws out of the rotors. Hammer drivers work best for these screws if you have that tool. Or you can use a big phillps screwdriver and a hammer to get them out.

The suspension is struts all around. From the problem you described I would look at the strut mounts.

[clublights]

the only " problem" I see would be if the front rotors are pressed onto the hub on that car.. otherwise the brake swap is easy as pie to do.

The front struts on the suspension can be a pain .. but as long as someone has a spring compressor ( or you can "rent" them at a auto zone or advanced auto parts .. what you do is deposit the cost of buying them which they refund when you bring it back ) it's not super hard to do all in all

the battery is 5 mins of swap work .. tho man have batteries gotten expensive in the last few years!!!!

if you don't have a clymer, haynes or Chilton manual I suggest picking one up .. or search on-line for the honda factory service manual...that's free if you can find it .. the others cost about 40 bucks or so( at least the last time I bought one) the Haynes, Clymer, Or Chilton Manuals are nicer for " backyard " type mechanics as they describe the process in much greater detail then the factory manual.

Edit...

I'd also consider completely draining and putting new brake fluid in .. I'm sure it's been awhile since that last happened on your car ( everyone is bad about this.. even the guy suggesting you do it LOL ) then of course giving them a good bleed. this will improve feel and power of the brakes.

[BigBear]

Oiy vey... lots of stuff being mentioned with "and check this or that".... Should I just take it to a mech in town (heard great things about a place called Japenese Connection) and get things in writing as to what needs to be done to keep the car "safe" and after I get teh exam then just go buy the parts and get with y'all to help with the work?

Okay, taking copius notes.... Let me iron out a time with Joe and then we'll take things from there.

[BigBear]

... or get that bear of the shelby!

HA, doubt I can even fit in a shelby. I have probs gettin into the FIL's (I hate the man... long story) Rousch.

[clublights]

Oiy vey... lots of stuff being mentioned with "and check this or that".... Should I just take it to a mech in town (heard great things about a place called Japenese Connection) and get things in writing as to what needs to be done to keep the car "safe" and after I get teh exam then just go buy the parts and get with y'all to help with the work?

Okay, taking copius notes.... Let me iron out a time with Joe and then we'll take things from there.

I think some of it can be done in "stages"

I'd do the brakes and suspension at the same time since you have to take all of the brake stuff off to do the struts..... might as well replace em while your in there.

I did some QUICK research on your car and it's not as bad as it could be so the brakes and suspension is a decent afternoon of work. a good 2-3 six pack of beer job :-D

doing the water pump and timing belt can be done " at a later date" but as others have suggested something to do before it fails and ruins the motor.

when you joe and the others ( I'm willing to help if we can make the day work out for timing right) do the brakes/suspension we can look over the car and make a list of things to work on. No need to pay someone to do this.

[ShooterJM]

Here is a how to write up and honda front brakes.
http://spoon.org/civic/DIY-Brakes/

The only issue I see is getting the screws out of the rotors. Hammer drivers work best for these screws if you have that tool. Or you can use a big phillps screwdriver and a hammer to get them out.

That's a good walkthrough

[Elhuero]

bear I'm in the same boat with my zuki.

any amount of money I could spend to get into a different car (that will still have high miles and maintenance issues) would be better spent keeping my current high mile car running.

I decided to keep it.

[Irving]

The cost of fixing an owned vehicle doesn't matter at all if you don't sell it.

Bear, I'm in the same situation with my Infiniti. I'm going to do the brakes with a friend. I think I have a broken axle as well. I recently had to replace my wiper motor as well. Fortunately it turned out to be really easy. As soon as I get a job, I'm going to get it some other much needed repairs and keep rolling it.

[JoeT]

Alright. . .I just spoke to my wife and the Saturday after Thanksgiving works for me.

Anyone interested in coming over and giving Tim a hand let me or him know and I'll get the address over to you. For a point of reference, I'm just off 136 and Sheradan in Broomfield