First a comment on steering. The faster you go the harder it gets to turn the wheel, thats pretty cool, my old car didnt do that.

Brakes....You have to push REALLY far before they work, very dangerous considering where I drive everyone goes fast and slams on their brakes because its bumper to bumper. Is there any way to 'tighten' the brakes? I'm pretty sure my Dad did that to my Nissan Sentra so I didn't have to push as far down. I'm wary about messing with the TL because of all its computerized gadgets, don't want to mess anything up.

 

The brakes are my only complaint so far in driving this car for 3 weeks. My Mustang's brakes are so tight in comparison. Guess I just need to get used to it. I don't think there's anything that can be done short of replacing the discs and calipers. Not sure if there's an after market master cylinder that would give it better pedal feel.



------------------
2001 Satin Silver TL
- Factory Rear Wing
- Factory Body Kit
- Factory Wood Kit
- Burlwood Shift Knob

 

There are 2 things you can do to improve the feel of the braking system, both with advantages and liabilities:

1- Hoses. The stock hoses are polymer-based, and this is to reduce the pulsations that you feel when ABS is actuating. This is on purpose by Acura, but the problem is that the hoses actually expand with the pressure of the brake system, so it feels a little 'mushy' through the peadal. Also, to replace the hoses with a nice stainless steel brake line system will involve a good bit of labor hours, so it won't be cheap.

2- Pads. There are three levels of pads: cheapo, semi-metallic (what we have), and performance. The performance pads actually compress less than what we have, and result in a more direct braking feel, and also in improved stopping power. I think they are carbon/ceramic material, but I can't remember. The disatvantage will be more brake dust on the wheels, and possibly squealing.

Better rotors will help you stop faster, but won't improve the braking feel if you don't also upgrade other stuff like the caliper system and hoses. Good luck!

------------------
'01 White Diamond Pearl 3.2TL
-Wing, tint, wood and Whistler

 

Just get a set of Axxis metal master, they will improve in braking distance and is more responsive. Plus, they have LESS dust than stock pads.

------------------
Honda-Acura.net TL Forum Moderator.

1999 Silver with factory body kit, spoiler and burlwood instrument cluster and shift knob. Joshua Tree Wood dash kit. Hella air horns. Tint all around. Razo competition pedals. MOMO Sport 18"X7.5" with 225/40ZR Pirelli P7000SS. Weapon-R intake. Comptech springs, exhaust and headers. Inspire Tailights, homemade ram-air and Polarg M-12 front turn signals. Comptech front and rear sway bar. Axxis Metal Master front and rear pads.

My AcuraTL Homepage

NEW: '01 Acura MDX Silver Premium

Front 35% tinted windows. Running boards. Roof rack. Tailgate deflector. Moonroof visor. Rear mud guards. Razo premium white headlight bulbs. Matriz ion yellow fog light bulbs(courtesy of Snook). More to come later......

Acura-MDX.com Forum Moderator

 

Fear not with the brake feel. I got into a situation earlier in the week and the car stopped so fast, I had to put by eyeballs back in thier sockets ! The steering is meant to be that way, variable assist, it gives you a better road feel.

------------------
2000 TL - Laguna Green, Navi, Rear Spoiler. PIAA Hyperwhite HB's. 17" CL-S wheels with Bridgestone RE 730 - 225/45/17's. Soon to have Comptech Suspension, Sways & Axle back Exhaust.

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by MikeS on February 23, 2001 @ ]</font>

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by MikeS on February 23, 2001 @ ]</font>