Took my '05 in for B service and annual PA inspection. At 37,000, it needed new front pads / rotors machined ($400 - ouch, those Brembo brakes are pricey ).

But what was really interesting was that the rear rotors were showing signs of heat damage, causing hard spots. They deemed this as an unusual problem and replaced the rotors and pads under warranty. Just curious if anyone else had experienced heat damaged rotors that might suggest a more widespread materials/design/metallurgical issue in the rotors.

 

What are hard spots? The rotors had uneven hardness in them? I am no engineer, I just don't understand the issue, but if they replaced the rotors for free, what the heck?

 

Eaglewatch,

Does the VIN on your '05 qualify for TSB 05-021 (Front Brake Squeal)? If so, the brakes could have been done under warranty. You'd get new disks, pads, springs, and possibly calipers. '05 VINs covered are JH4KB16...5C000001 through JH4KB16...5C015259.

LL

 

Hmmm-mine is in the VIN range, but I did not receive any notice. I guess I will ask to have this done when I take the RL in for the PS hose recall repair.

 

My VIN is in the mid-3000s, so it definitely would qualify. I'll have to call my service advisor on Monday and see if I can get my $$ back. Thanks for the tip.

As for the hard spots, as it was explained to me, heat damage (why the excessive heat I don't know) caused areas that actually prevent the rotors from being effectively resurfaced due to a change in the density of the metal.

 

hey, i can't find that TSB...i looked through every TBS in the 05 range, and couldn't find it. mind if you post a direct link? thanks

 

Send me a PM with an email address and I'll send you a PDF.

LL

 

It's a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) not a recall so you wouldn't be notified but they should do it for you without question if you request it.

LL

 

Sent you a PM as well.

 

Did you have a pulsation on the brake pedal when braking lightly?

I used to race cars (M3) and this was common with the performance friction pads (PF90 compound). I have never seen pad residue on a street car unless you took it to the track. The fact that it is on the rear is also very strange as you commonly see this on the front rotors.

Without having seen the rotors that were taken off your car, I don't know what to say other than sounds fishy.

 

When you go in take a copy of the TSB. They should refund your money for the brake job. Make sure they perform all the service items on TSB 05-021. They replaced both my front and rear brakes no questions asked. I got my copy of TSB from LL.

 

I should have known that from the other TSB work I had done right after I bought the RL-thanks for the clarification.

 

I'm confused - you state you have Brembo's on? Yet Acura dealt with rotor and pad replacement as a warranty issue. That seems really strange that they would provide warranty support for aftermarket brakes? I mean, good for you and all, but it's pretty uncommon in my experience for a dealer to step up like that.

 

Brembos are standard on the RL and TL-S and the 04-06 6MT TL's.

 

They look like Brembos, but I believe they are made by Nissin, the OEM source for Acura/Honda

 

All I know is that MY 2005 RL most defintely doesn't have Brembo's - having worked on them myself. If YOUR RL does then more power to you.

Some people confuse any large caliper assembly as being "Brembo", it's almost like "Kleenex" equalling "tissue".

 

the TLS certainly does, its on the acura website:
tl-> features -> performance -> brembo brakes
The RL appears to have the same capiler assembly and rotor. I'll look up the part numbers.

 

A) I don't give a rat's rearend about what's on a TL or anything else; this is a forum for the discussion of RL's and I made it clear in my previous post I was strictly speaking about MY 2005 RL; it does NOT have Brembo brakes. I'm the original owner and I'm quite familiar with the entire vehicle.

B) You can "look up" all you want - what I really want to know, though, is will you be holding a caliper from a 2005 RL in your hands? I've had Brembo calipers in my hands and I've had the calipers from my 2005 RL in my hands. I know of what I speak. Anybody upset by this is still free to remove their calipers and paint them red and then stencil white paint "BREMBO" on them if it makes them feel better.

 

They're not Brembos, but they look and feel good! No need to be testy, guys!

 

They look and feel like Brembos.....but without all the brake dust!

 

Perhaps the Brembo confusion originated with the RL ASPEC Concept?

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DG

The RL A-SPEC concept is one inch wider and the track has been widened 30mm over the standard RL. This is combined with custom 20-inch alloy wheels, and high performance Michelin Pilot Sport 245/40 R20 tires that lend to the aggressive appearance of the car. The RL A-SPEC concept is 1-inch lower thanks to the inclusion of a high performance suspension package with track-tuned shocks and springs. Brembo brake components on all four wheels feature 8-piston calipers and 15-inch drilled rotors. These features combined with the standard SH-AWD should help to give the RL A-SPEC concept amazing handling and stopping power.