danmm7

iTrader: (1)

As you all know, our RLs come with 4-piston front brake caliper.
Since i have the feeling that soon i'll be replacing my front brake pads, I was reading the Acura RL repair manual and i saw that in order to compress the four caliper pistons, you need to have a "special" Honda caliper tool.

I looked for this "special" tool online and a few placed that have it are asking $130+ for it!!!

Has anyone done RL brake pad replacement at home and if yes, what did you use to compress the front caliper pistons?

Thanks for any replies!

danmm7

iTrader: (1)

This is the tool description from the Repair manual:

Honda Brake Caliper Piston Compressor -- Tool # 07AAE-SEPA101

kirbyflorida

You can buy the compressor at Harbor Freight for about $4, this is a SUPER easy job, just like all Honda disc brakes.

470hpGS400

iTrader: (1)

Same s any other car really. Nothing special about them. Choices for friction are very limited on this car. So far i have not found a decent set of friction for this car at all. What pads are you using?

danmm7

iTrader: (1)

The only reason i thought that the Acura RL front brakes would be more "complex" is that i have to push in 4 pistons, instead of 1 or 2 (like on other cars).

What did you use to compress all 4 pistons??

I am used to a cheap $3 C-clamp to push the piston in a regular single or dual piston caliper. I don't think a c-clamp would work on the RL 4-piston caliper.

As far as brake pads go, i still have not purchased any. I am looking and i am not finding too many choices.

So far, my two top picks are... EBC Yellow Stuff .... Bendix Semi-Metalic ....and maybe Akebono. I have Akebono on our TSX and i am not impressed with them!

danmm7

iTrader: (1)

I am talking about the FRONT brake caliper. Which tool from Harbor Freight did you use to compress all 4 pistons on the front caliper??
I can't find it on their web site.

Thanks!

470hpGS400

iTrader: (1)

C clamp and old pads work fine. Bendix SM have excessive rubber in them for noise control which also inhibits braking. EBC, hmmm, please share your thoughts if you pick those up.

BratTrex

I just received this tool for my weekend project.

This was used on a TL brake job with a 4 piston caliper setup.
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/d-094-diy-complete-brake-job-pics-624404/#post11104418

OLD_HATCH

cheap c clamp should do you fine. nothing special about it.

anyone try the Hawk brand pads?

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

I went back OE. Simple install, no special tools.

FN P90

I know you guys might cringe, but I put the caliper upside down and leave the old pads in, take a couple big-ass screwdrivers and pry the pistons back. I've done front and back 5 times now and had no problems so far.

The rotor swap out was a little difficult. You need a hammer screwdriver to back out the screws, other than that it is pretty simple.

Good luck.

470hpGS400

iTrader: (1)

Of the thousands (yes, thousands) of mechanics and shops I use to deal with in my prior career, I would say 99% do the same exact thing or use a c-clamp. Provided the person places equal force across each piston to avoid pinching the piston in the bore, it is not an issue.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

I've done that on other vehicles and opened the bleeder valve to make it easier.

danmm7

iTrader: (1)

I just ordered the front brake caliper tool shown on this picture.
For $25, it should be well worth investment, considering the cost of a brake job at the Acura dealer.




https://www.princessauto.com/

I looked at my trusted C-clamp and i was not really sure how i can use it to compress all 4 pistons.

BratTrex

danmm7...I used this same tool tonight. It made compressing the pistons a breeze.

Only if I could say the same for a frozen brake disc retaining screw.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Very cool, I need one of those.

2007AcuraRL

^^^^ Thanks Danmm7 for the link and for sourcing this product. I just ordered one up for myself. Shipping all the way from BC to my home in CT was only 7 bucks, I too was a C-clamp user until my RL.

2007AcuraRL

Actually, on second thought scratch princessauto off my list (but still, thank you to the OP). Got an email from them today saying that notwithstanding my orginal order and $7 shipping charge, they now want to change the order and charge me $30 for shipping the $25 tool. Cancel my order in that case. If they wanted $15 for shipping I'd say fine, but I'm sure the shipping to me doesnt cost $30, and besides, why is it my problem that their shipping algorithm is off? So looks like I'll have to find the tool elsewhere.

danmm7

iTrader: (1)

Yap, i got the same phone call today. My S/H cost went up by $15 because their web site "was not updated for US customers".

I was not happy, i told them that i am not happy but since i want the tool, i kept the order and agreed to the new S/H charge.
I won't use them again.

synth19

I'm thinking of doing my front and rear at the same time. However, not sure if it's necessary as I have not inspected the rear. Anyone know the typical longevity of the rears? thanks,

danmm7

iTrader: (1)

Rear brake pads/rotors "should" last a lot longer than fronts. Most of the stress goes on the front brakes so you should expect more life out of the rear pads.
Not sure what is the case with the RL.
As an example... my 2003 Maxima (not as heavy as the RL) had the rear pads for 122k miles before i had to replace them.

synth19

thnx

NightHawk CL9

What kind of mileage are you guys replacing your front pads at?

db22

I have 92K on the original pads so I cannot answer your question!

NightHawk CL9

Ya I'm at about 55K on the pads and thought that the Brembo brakes would eat the pads more, supposedly I'm still at 6-7mm of pad left on all 4.

2007AcuraRL

I'm at about 46k and the fronts wil have to be changed out soon. Long slow 1 hour commutes in morning traffic to work wore mine out.