Now that I've put about 3k miles on my car, I'm most disappointed with the brake feel.

Does anyone have any experience with improving brake feel and response - preferably using something from the Honda/Acura parts bin?

I feel a big brake kit has more downsides (noise, vibration, cost) than upsides unless you are planning on tracking the car.

In the past, I've been able to improve brake feel by using braided brake lines and add a bit more bite with brake pads - although brake pads generally add noise and dust and I've found the current pads to be pretty much dust free compared to German cars.

At this point I'd like some thoughts on real world experiences with the TSX. I've had cars where the braided lines made a huge difference and others where there was no difference and pads that were quiet on one car squealed like pigs on others. I intend to stick with Honda fluid to keep from having warranty issues.

While braided lines could conceivably cause issues, the likelihood is very low.

Let's see if we can keep the snarky comments that add nothing to the topic at a minimum.

 

How does the brake feel to you now and how do you want it to be improved?

I think if you can narrow down the feeling specifically, it would be easier to give suggestions.

 

You're right, I should have added that.

I'm a fairly conservative user of brakes. I tend to leave lots of room between my car and the car in front of me and I try to anticipate stops.

The brakes in the TSX seem to feel a bit "mushy"under harder braking. Much of that is pedal feel and has little to do with actual stopping distance but is a bit disconcerting at times.

Does that help clarify the issue?

 

eh.......not really. I don't understand "mushy". But I know that when I first drove the TSX, I hated the way the brake pedal felt to me too....but after nearly dying in an accident where I had to emergency stop from 80 to 0, I have no more worries about the stopping power like you said, though it could be better.

 

changing the brake fluid, might help with the mushy feel.

I have an '06 6MT TL with the bbk(brembos). I changed the rubber lines to SS and DID NOT FEEL A DIFFERENCE in daily driving. only in brake fade conditions is where the SS lines shine
maybe the TSX is different.

 

I suspect that you are right. The stopping distance isn't horrible so it might just be a matter of getting used to the feel.

 

I know what you mean. I never comprehended the term "seeing your life flash in front of you" until I was driving on an Autobahn at about 120mph in my Typhoon, crested a hill and saw a wall of cars in front of me. To this day I don't know how I avoided hitting anything as I went from the fast lane (I was in the process of passing a car) to the breakdown lane where I stopped about two car lengths into what was the tail end of the traffic jam.

 

I Know what ceb is talking about. My '12 TSX sedan has mushy brakes too. They feel fine in normal driving. But try a hard stop and they are mushy, almost as bad as an early '90s GM sedan, and have not much more stopping power. Plus they have poor modulation. The abs starts cycling earlier than I expect. These brakes are just ok, not a bit more. I have considered trying some "better" pads, but decided to live with the brakes as they are. After 3200 miles I am used to them and don't think about it unless somebody brings it up. Thanks a lot ceb, heh heh!

 

Sorry

You are absolutely right. The brakes are perfectly fine until you need to jab them hard and you feel like there is a thick sponge between your foot and the brakes.

 

I hear that painting your brake calipers yellow increases braking power AND makes you faster!

 

Yes, but the yellow paint will void your radio warranty.

Can we get back on topic now?

 

This is on topic. I knew a guy with yellow brake calipers on his TSX. Nice kid. He's no longer with us though...

 

Oddly, I never saw my life flashed in front of me. So now I find that term false

BTW, that sponge analogy finally made sense to me what you guys meant by "mushy".

 

when my dealer replaced my brake pads due to the tsb, i felt a better initial bite, but after a while its kinda the same

 

Does the V6 have the same brake setup? I think it does, right?

 

i believe it does ceb...

 

Too bad

 

wow, i'd have thought that the v6 would have upgraded brakes or pads...

 

I had to stop suddenly a few times in my travels and the brakes did a excellent job. Still doing it after 137k+ miles. Yes still on the originals.

 

My rotors warped at 17k miles, of course Acura wouldn't pay to resurface them. I had a friend replace my front pads and rotors with Centric C-Tech rotors and ceramic pads. The brakes do feel stronger to me. I am still getting slight pulsation when stopping from speeds above 80mph, which means I'll be changing the rear rotors and pads soon too.

 

TSB, if your under warranty they should...

 

I have a similar concern (2010 TSX v6). The TL, a slightly heavier car, stops faster from 60 mph (122 feet vs. 133 feet). So the TSX does not stop that well. Yes, it is my understanding is the v6 and i4 have the same brakes.

When mine need replacing, I was considering one of the slotted rotor replacements. It would be outstanding though if some other Honda parts would fit.

 

They recommended I check out the class action lawsuit page about the brake pads on 09 TSXs. My VIN number wasn't in the list covered by the lawsuit, and I was over 12k miles, so they said no.