getakey

At what mileage did you have to replace brakes?
I'm just passing 50K and thinking they should be due, but last time in dealer, they did not identify wear level.

deepdezal

It all depends on how you drive... Brake pads has no mileage replacement factor..

Are you noticing any pulsation in the steering when you apply the brakes or if you are hearing any noise when you apply the brakes.. If so, then take it to dealer and have them take a look at it.

getakey

understand about the driving dependency - I was just trying to get an idea of what the min max range is.
No pulsation yet, but I do hear a high pitch whistle/whine when coasting (still in drive, but let up on gas) at 30 to 40 mph (rpm around 1500). Seems to go away on even slight acceleration.
Was thinking it might be brakes. Hoping not tranny.

deepdezal

Probably the brakes need replacement...

The high pitch that you are hearing is metal to metal contact. Brake pads manufactures usually leave a metal shim/metal plate (don't know how to describe it) sticking out and when this shim contacts the disc/rotor the whine noise is created and alarms the driver that the pads are about to wear out.

These cars have even force brake distribution, more then likely the rear pads will wear out first before the front.

This shouldn't be expensive.. Good luck on getting this resolved!!

Chas2

That does not sound like brake wear indicators which is a frightening screeching noise. I don't know what the noise is that you are describing. Take the car in.

The passage notes below that if you do not replace the pads, the screeching will be constant. What is does not say is when the noise turns into a grinding metal on metal sound, you are in trouble, and will probably have to replace the rotors (plus you won't be able to stop very well).

2006 Owners Manual, p 322

Brake Wear Indicators
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal for
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.

RL06tech

Just a note, the wear indicators are a readily noticeable schrill tone . Once you wear down the pad what you hear is a very ugly grinding sound. If you live in an urban area I would not be surprised if you need new pads in the front. The rear pads can easily last more than 100K. Another point, buy the acura OEM pads, the reviews I have read on the aftermarket RL pads (AKIBONO) sold through tire rack and others have been negative.

getakey

thanks for the input and I have heard the wear indicators on other cars, so pretty much know what that is like. Also drove one through to the grind, so know what that is about as well

The whistle/whine is not very loud, but perhaps it is the very, very beginning of the wear indicators starting to touch. It is strange that I usually only hear the sound during a spceific short stretch of my daily commute. Not sure if its because all the right characteristics are in play, i.e., speed, rpm, not accelerating; or at this particular stretch the road is against a hill from which the sound bounces back more.

I will pay more attention over the next couple days.

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

You may just need a set of pads but the dealer will have to mic the rotor to see if it is within spec. If you have to replace the rotor you should consider upgrading to a ROTORA slotted rotor.

neuronbob

Is there even a Rotora setup for the RL?

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

ROTORA makes OEM replacement slotted and drilled and slotted discs. A BBK isn't available for the 05+ RL. However ROTORA does make a caliper kit for the 99-04 RL. The slotted discs help dissipate heat, prevent glazing of hte pads, and offer some aesthetic value.

Chas2

Ah, there is the misunderstanding. This forum only deals with the 05+ RL, with SH-AWD.

There is a separate forum for the 96-04 RLs

https://acurazine.com/forums/acurazine-articles-2/

neuronbob

Chas, Excelerate is aware of that.

We don't need a BBK anyway, at least on the front, our calipers are HUGE. Unfortunately, the rears are tiny. I'd love to have calipers marked with "Acura" for the rears, like on the Rotoras. I'm sure that'd be worth the $1200-1400 it costs for the TL.

In any case, OEM replacement slotted rotors in the 2G RL's size would be a great idea for aesthetics alone.