For all of you who have had that annoying front end noise that comes from the brake pads and front calipers there is now a TSB out with a fix.

I just got a call yesterday from Acura (since I have been complaining about this since day 1), that there is finally a fix for this. They actually called my Dealer's service manager and had them order the necessary parts. My service advisor called me today and told me to bring in the car next Tuesday so that they can perform the fix.

Please tell your Dealer to look up the Technical Service Bulletin since it has already been posted.

We should finally get this over with so we can all have the comfort and quietness we paid for!

 

Does anyone know the TSB#?

 

I had the new brake springs and pads etc done on a few weeks ago and the noise is back...driver's side front....

 

I have no idea if this is part of the problem but my years of high performance driving instruction has taught me that cars with high performance brake packages tend to fall victim to pad build up on the rotors.
This is a combination of high performance pads coupled to large ventilated rotors. The brakes, simply, never get up to operating heat and deposits are left on the pads. This is always more pronounced in automatics as the pads spend more contact time with the rotors. A series of firm stops, (no ABS!) from 50 to 5 mph (never completely stop) will, usually, help clear the worst of the pad buidup. Also a few hard stops in reverse seems to help. Never do any of this to the point you get the brakes real hot. Space your stops for some cooling. Again, I have no idea if this is what is causing the problem, but high performance brake systems, (and certainly the new RL has that) will build up pad material if the car isn't driven hard.

 

Not to really answer for hothonda but I believe he is talking about the brakes clunking while you seem to be talking about a squealing issue or something.

If hothonda is talking about the clunking then damn, that sucks that after the fix it still is an issue.

I think I will just replace the brakes on my RL next year rather than get Acura to "fix" the issue only to have it still be there.

 

Yes I was talking about the "clunk" when I first take off...sorry for the
confusion. After the fix everything was fine but now, after a few
weeks, the "clunk" is back..I'll be contacting service to see what's next!

 

I want to know why the brakes clunk because I know when I first got the car there was no clunking for a few weeks then it started so I'd think it could be something an owner could fix if they wanted to.

 

Are you guys sure this "clunk" isnt the standard Honda ABS check? All our late model Hondas had this.

 

Mine was noticeable when the vehicle was going on a bumpy surface ... Like most roadz here in the northeast. The techs at my dealership attributed the noise to the brake padz moving in the housing of the caliper. They had a few similar complaintz and came up with their own fix (prior to the TSB). My fix seemz to be working so far ... But I'm sure it will come back as soon as this message is posted to the forum.

 

Mine was fixed and after two weeks the noise came back. I took it in to my dealer this past Wednesday and they again changed the brake pads and adjusted the springs (so they say). The noise is gone but I am somewhat doubtful that it will not come back again.

 

Could you please go into some detail about what this is or where I could read more about it? Thanks.

 

nope, it isn't that.

It is something wiht the pads or whatever being loose so when going over certain bumps at speeds under around 60km/h (so basically 40mph) it clunks. Only the fronts do this.

Anything over 40mph doesnt give any clunking sound and neither does going over bumps while lightly pressing the brakes even at speeds under 40mph.

 

I've been "talking" to my Acura dealer about this for a while now...does anybody know the TSB# so I can refer him to it? Or, where can I get a copy of TSB's? Thanks in advance!

 

I'm not all that knowledgeable when it comes to brakes...would getting new aftermarket brakes fix this issue? If so, do you need to get a whole new brake assembly or could you just replace the pads?

 

This sure sounds like the well-known issue with the MDX. I had a 2001 and currently have a 2003. They both do that, as do many (most?) MDXs. I discussed with the dealer until I was blue in the face, but they say it is absolutely normal. I have had an adjustment made in an attempt to address, but it always comes back after a few days.

Sorry to hear the RL may have the same issue. My '04TL does not have the same problem and would have thought the RL would have used roughly the same design as the TL vs. introducing the same problem as the MDX has. (Ooops, sorry.. it's not a problem..it's normal per Acura)

 

I had to make a panic stop today, in which I felt the ABS pulsation under my foot. When I started out from my office later this afternoon, the ABS "clunk" was much more pronounced than normal-it still only occurs when I am starting to drive (after I reacch a certain speed), but it was much more noticeable than before. Since I have yet to see my dealer about any service issues, I may use this opportunity to calibrate them and see what their response is on this issue.

 

I had this loud rubbing noise that goes with the car speed, and it only comes on during low speed driving in the garage. It went away eventually. Damn, another issue with the RL.

 

TSB for brake caliper noise is TSB 05-021. Hope this helps...

 

Thanks very much for posting that.

I have a question...does that TSB specifically address the rattling noise or is it for the squealing?

Fred

 

If you replace your stock brakes with aftermarkets (and presumably, upgrade to cross-drilled rotors and larger multi-piston calipers) your brakes are going to be MUCH noiser than the stock brakes, and will probably rumble and squeal.

Performance brakes and luxury car brakes are designed for very different things... and the things that make brake pads quiet are not necessarily the same things that make them stop a car really well and repeatedly.

If you're concerned about noise, a brake upgrade is probably not for you.

 

I am actually the person that listed the TSB number below. I specifically requested that 05-021 be applied to my car at my last service, but the problem (noise) is still present and I have now found out that they did not apply the TSB. At one time, I had found a copy of the actual bulletin on the internet complete with the VIN numbers that applied, but I cannot find it again. Can anyone tell what what VINs that this bulletin applies to? My dealer now claims that it doesn't apply to my car and that's why it wasn't done. However, you would think that if a customer specifially requested something, they MIGHT think to mention that they didn't do it...

 

Are you experiencing a front end rattle?

I'm gonna be embarrassed if my rattle isn't brake related but say...a broken motor mount, or something....

Yesterday, a dealer told me that TSB 05-021 applies to VIN's to the 5,000's. My VIN is in the 7,000's. Prior to my calling with that TSB number, that same dealer ordered some parts as per part numbers that I was able to dig up in a couple of internet postings regarding a brake rattle. When I talked with the service manager yesterday, I was not able to get any additional information from him regarding whether those ordered parts match the TSB. I don't even know whether he was aware of this TSB.

Both dealers I've talked with claim to have had no prior experience with a front end rattle and claimed no knowledge of that specific complaint.

In any event, this dealer is going out of their way to work with me even though they've never serviced my car before. If I'm totally out in left field, and they've ordered unnecessary parts, I'll offer to pay for the parts and for the trouble they're out.

We'll see.

 

Just an update on TSB 05-021...

I just got my dealer to fax me a copy of the TSB. In the "Vehicles Affected" section it just reads "2005 RL" so I called up Acura Client Services to get a specific VIN range.

There are actually two issues: (A) brake squeal OR rattle and (B) rattle only. VIN ranges are as follows (as per ACS)...

For (A) - 5A00001 thru 5C015259
For (B) - 5A00001 thru 5C020423

I hope this helps out. At least I know it helps me so that I can finally PROVE to my dealer that they need to do the work. Do keep in mind that this is NOT a recall, it is just a bulletin. In other words, it will not be applied unless you state and can demonstrate that you have the issue(s).

 

can anyone elaborate more on the rattle that you guys are talking about? where should I look out or hear for the rattle? Thanks in advance.

 

About the rattle...find a stretch of highway with tar strips/expansion joints/rough road and speed up to about 45 mph or so. On my way to work, there is a stretch of city street with these in a 40 mph zone. When going down the road between the strips, I'm hearing sounds like loose change. When hitting a tar strip or something that jars the car, depending on how fast I'm going, I'm hearing either a clunking/rattle or a sharp metal to metal slapping sound.

Applying the brakes causes the sound to mostly go away.

Roll down the front windows and take a listen. The sound coming from under my car is easily heard while traversing a narrow street between some buildings.

The co-worker who rode with me to help me judge where the noise is coming from now jokes that I'd better get the car in before it falls apart.

 

Well, a noisy front end is a noisy front end and in my case, is not "intermittant."

Why are you having to "prove" to a dealer that the brake work needs to be done?

I've yet to get my RL to a dealer specifically for the brake and passenger door handle problems, but naturally, do expect them to diagnose and eventually, make permanent repairs.

 

Thanks for the info bluemule. I'll keep a lookout for the noise when I go out today. Hopefully, I won't hear the rattles. Thanks again.

 

They (my dealer) haven't denied that the noise is present, but they have denied that the TSB applies to my car. They kept telling me that my car was out of the VIN range for the TSB and therefore they would not do the update. Now I can PROVE that my car is in the VIN range.

I guess I just wasn't clear...I am not having to PROVE the noise, just the fact that my car is up for the TSB update that way they will actually perform the update which I feel confident should solve the problem.

 

hello people i have this calipers on my 7th gen accord and the are making noises when i push brake pedal and when i get my foot out of the brake pedal what can that noise be? i will put a link so you can see which noise im having on my calipers...... please help.....!!!!!!!

 

Most likely your adapter brackets are not square and true. check pads as well. Nice way to dig up a 8 year old thread

 

I don't understand when you said that my brackets aren't and true what do you mean by telling me that and I already did the pads and still doing the sound I'm going to let you a link so you can hear the noises.

 

I am saying your bracket could not be square or perfectly flat. sounds like you have a binding issue from the noise.

 

pull the wheel and see if the dust/rock shield is touching anywhere

I had a civic make this noise when the slave was going out.

 

Check that the pads are moving freely within the caliper. Also check that the pins are not bent, they should come out/in with ease. If you have a hard time removing the brake pins and pads then replace both.