Hi
Took my 2010 Acura MDX for B1 service. Rep called and said I need to replace Front and Rare break pads total for $685. He also mentioned I need to check break fluid and air filter. Total cost around $1379.
Sounds like a ripoff. I told him I will get it done from outside. What he told me if I get it done from outside the breaks will start making sounds as they will not use Acura parts, plus Acura dealer will also rotate break disc to avoid any vibrations.
Seeking advice if I should get breaks pads done from outside ? which one I should order online and from where ? I am assuming airfilters should be easier to change and I should be able to do it myself.

 

he's trying to take you for a ride.
good thing you are smarter than that and consulted us!

I will charge you $Free.99 for my advice!

Any brake pad will help stop your car. you dont need "acura" OEM pads.
you can find a great set of pads from autozone called the "duralast Cmax gold " pads.
one of the best pads ive used, no dust, no noises and the best part, they are $45-60.

you can probably find an independent shop to help you install it for less than $200.

 

Thanks for your reply.
Whats up with break disc rotation he was talking about ?
Will the shop installing pads will do it automatically as well ?

 

I did the Heeltoe HT-Spec Brake Package: Stage 2 Sport Package, 2007-13 Acura MDX YD2 for $984.80 (I had a $200 credit to use up for a returned part).

http://www.heeltoeauto.com/ht-spec-b...roductid=66588

Honda Genuine Brake Fluid, 2 Pints
Carbotech 1521 Front Pad Set
Carbotech 1521 Rear Pad Set
RB Performance UP Front Open-Slot Rotor Set
Replacement Rear slotted Rotor Set
Fastline Performance Steel Braided Brake Lines

Zero issues with noise, brake dust is almost non-existence, and you can change pads multiple times without resurfacing (guaranteed not to warp). I had a local shop put them on in about 3 hours total. The brakes feel Mo better compared to stock. The only issue I had was the replacement rear brake lines did not fit on my 11 MDX Adv; rear brakes had 4 separate brake lines in the rear instead of just 2 and steel lines did not fit them (CMBS related maybe?).

HeelToe Automotive and Excelerate Performance had plenty of options to pick from.

I still have my OEM front/rear rotors/pads and they are about 95% good (sell black market).

Front


Rear

 

They are likely talking about "turning your rotors" when they mention disc rotation. Turning the rotors is a process by which the high and low spots are removed and eliminates the pulsation you feel when you apply the brakes. Brakes rotors sometimes "warp" from varied and uneven heating and cooling.
Opinions are varied as to whether or not turning the rotors is necessary. Some folks just replace the pads and are good to go. Do you feel any sort of pulsation when you apply your brakes?

 

Nope no pulsation when applying break.

 

Dealers always try to up-sell rotor resurfacing when installing new pads whether needed or not. Heck, they try to up-sell new pads whether needed or not. Starting to see the pattern?

 

Pulsation would be more noticeable when braking from higher (highway) speeds, but if you don't have any pulsation then you may not need to have the rotors "turned" or resurfaced. Heck depending on the miles you have and the type of driving you do you may not even need brake pads at all!

 

Is there a way I can check myself, if break pads need to be replaced at this time ?

 

If you like, you can check the thickness of the pad material by removing the wheels and looking at the the pad thickness in the calipers. When new, the thickness is around 11 mm front, 10 mm rear. The spec for minimum thickness is 1.6 mm, and they'll start to squeal around 2 mm.

How many miles it takes to reach that point can vary. We bought our MDX used with 19K and traded it with 78K and never did any brake maintenance. Obviously different driving styles can affect how long they last.

Something else to consider - While its possible all of your brakes need replacing, it's not likely. Usually the fronts and rears wear differently.

There is another member here on AZ who got 155K out of her brakes but it was a TSX.

 

Best not to change or even turn ( rotate ) the rotors ( discs ) if you have no vibration when braking. Dealer is trying to steal from your pocket. If you need to change brake pads, and you want original Acura Honda parts, you can buy them at a good discount on eBay - some of the sellers are internet departments of Honda/Acura dealers. Or if you are willing to use after market parts ( non OEM ), the choice is limitless. For aftermarkets, I have done well with Posi Quiet ceramic pads both on my RL and my Lexus convertible - no dust no noise. One thing to be aware of - for ceramics, if the OEM rotor ( disc ) is not able to handle the higher bite/friction of ceramics, the chances of warpage of the disc later on are a bit higher - happened to me on both the RL and the SC430, but it was close to the end of the natural life of the rotors anyway so I just switched to slotted rotors like mrgold35.

 

thanks everyone for the reply.

 

No problem - this is what makes AZ so great

 

I buy my Honda and Acura parts on-line from Bernardi. They have great prices and even better customer service. I can not recommend them highly enough. Good-luck.

 

another tell tale sign that you would need pads; the pads themselves would let off a little squeal, as most pads have a prong. once the meat of the pads past a certain point, the prong sticks out and you'll get a slight squeal.


Ive been hearing this squeal in my mom's '12 Kia Sportage. time to do her front brakes!

 

I agree. Do not turn the rotors if it is not needed. I have twice with my MDX and once with my CL. Every time they were turned the rotors failed very quickly. Both vehicles needed new rotors after they were turned. I don't think either time they were turned I made it past 10000 miles before they were pulsating badly. Not that everyone is a mechanic but changing the pads on my 2004 takes me about 20 minutes a side. They are pretty easy so the dealer price was very high for the amount of labor they are charging

 

I have a 2010 MDX Tech Pkg, has anyone used Akebono Ceramic Pads? I used them on my Lexus and loved them. I have only owned my 2010 for a month, so I'm trying to learn from you fellow owners. Thanks

 

Used Akebono ceramics on my RL years back. Good bite but eventually, the rear rotors warped.

 

timing belt kit aftermarkets is it good to install it or oem?