2004MT6TL

Well, about a week ago I had a thread that discussed the price to replace the Brembo pads. I went online and found the pads for $150. I called my dealer had he quoted me $189 installed. So I figured I'd get them at the dealer. Well, today he informed me that he ran my VIN and the Brembo pads are accually going to be over $490 installed. That's fucked! So, I think I am going to get the pads online, I just get them installed at Acura for $55. They want to true the rotors for $145, but I think I'll say no to that. Also the inner pads is the only pads that are worn, the outer pads still have 40% left, this sucks bad. Anyone getting this done cheaper, I'd like to hear about it.

rets

Your mileage?

PoochaKannInc

I'm not sure I understand. The dealer first quoted you $189 and now it is $490. Was the first price for the regular brake pads and the second for the Brembos? If not, how does your VIN affect it?

Ron A

The 5AT/6MT difference in brakes accounts for the difference in price. The 5AT pads are about $41, and the 6MT pads list for around $175. Also, the first price he quoted may not have included trueing the rotors, since he thought it was a 5MT. Blame this on the parts manager and service manager for not knowing there is a difference in 5AT/6MT brakes.

The VIN told the dealer he had the 6MT with Brembos, and not the 5AT with standard brakes.

PoochaKannInc

Ah. That's what I thought. I'm sitting here thinking, there CAN'T be a difference in price for two 6MT's with different VIN's...can there? Thanks Ron.

TireSmoke

Last time I changed pads on a car, I got the rotors turned at Pep Boys for $5/each... what's the deal with these being so much?

Either there is something magical about what he's doing or you're getting ripped off. Which one is it?

Ron A

I think the main reason for the price differentials is when you get an exotic system, then they feel free to charge exotic prices. I know the Brembo's are special and well worth the money if you do the kind of driving that will use their potential to the fullest, but you are also paying for the name and reputation.

I changed brake pads at least twice in my 96TL, and more than that in my 87 Olds 98, and I never turned a rotor once. If you don't feel any ridges, then, in my opinion, you don't have to turn the rotor. Also, current rotors are made so thin, probably for EPA weight reduction, that you can only turn them once and then you need new ones.

pabound

A little advice:

ANY item on the Brembo setup is expensive; whether it be pads, rotors,or, God forbid, the calipers.

You should hear the STi and EVO guys bitchin about them!

Still, I wish I had the MT/Brembo option nearly every day I am in the TL...

If you are to the point that you need to change the pads on those Brembos...then it really is not a good idea to NOT turn the rotors...any questions, go get a price on THOSE!

2004MT6TL

20,000. I'm the one with the tranny which was mostly replaced because it was popping out of second gear. I'm taking it back in becuase it now has a hard time going into 1st and 2nd gears. :killer:

w1n78

ah the joy of 5AT

2004MT6TL

Ah, the exillaration of sub 6 sec accelleration and above par stopping power in hight performance street and autocross driving.

Tracer

And of course, doing that for a while and your tranny starts popping out of gear


But yes, the 6MT should be more fun to drive

:gheywave:

Tracer

Shoot2Thrill

If the outer pads were not as worn that means they were not making good contact with the rotor. Basically, it sounds like 20% left on both if they worn evenly. Maybe even more because the inside pads doing most of the work became extra heated during braking increasing the wear. Or maybe the inside pad is dragging. What does the dealer consider the proper mileage for a set of pads. 20K is fairly quick. It would be interesting to note if other's get this same issue with uneven pad wear in such short mileage.

pettydw

It will just be a short while before you can order the pads from one of several aftermarket houses such as EBC. The aftermarket waits until there a market and most folks won't be going thru pads that fast. I've been told Brembos are about the easiest pads to change (exposed clips on the inner radius, pads slip right out). Also, never turn your rotors unless they are warped beyond spec. Just go easy on the new brakes for a couple of weeks for them to bed in.

KJSmitty

Brake jobs are a complete ripoff at the dealer. I could perform the job in my driveway with turning the rotors for less than $25, you provide the pads. I have 3 locations within 5 miles of my garage that "turn" for $12 or less per rotor/drum. If you have the capability to jack up the car, take the wheel off etc. you can change your own brake pads and have the rotors turned cheap. Any reputable place will also "measure" the rotors and refuse to turn them, if turning them resulted in less than required remaining thickness.
Ron A is right about the cost and the fact that the rotors do not need turned unless they have ridges and/or are warped, IE your brake peddle pulsates under mod to heavy breaking. If you have either rotor issue, replacing the pads and not turning/truing will result in accelerated wear, poor performance, and "squealing",, or all of the above.

92NSX

That is what the NSX is for.
Seriously, have you been autocrossing your TL? I'm thinking of doing the same in one of my other cars. Do you like it?

E!ntertainment

I wouldnt trust PEP BOYS to pump gas in my car let alone rotors or anything else.

Krypton Ken

[Hijack -- sorry] I autocrossed twice in my old turbo Eclipse. It was a blast! I think everyone had fun, driving or watching. It is hell on the tires though..... You could get slicks, if you really get into it.

EmuMessenger

Damn, that sucks. Your dad must be pissed.

Hybrid

Not according to the Motor Trend comparison chart that shows both the 5AT and 6MT. The 5AT had a significantly shorter braking distance than the Brembo-equipped 6MT. Motor Trend incompetance (even with ABS)? Who knows.

Aegir

Probably done on different days with different conditions. Do the same test head to head, five times in a row, and the difference would become very apparent.

92NSX

That is to funny.

E!ntertainment

Absolutely NO WAY does the 5AT stop anywhere close to the 6MT with brembos. I test drove both, same day back to back. In fact driving the 6MT with the brembos I can honestly say is overkill, nice overkill but talk about stopping on a dime.

TLspeed

The charge to turn the rotors will be significantly higher than 'normal' since they have to turn the rotors while ON THE CAR.

My son's Civic needed the rotors turned, but the only shops that would do it (correctly) were the ones who had invested the money on the machinery needed to turn the rotors while still mounted on the car.

Check the TL service manual. Section 19-17 indicates that "...if the brake disc is beyond the service limit, refinish the brake disc with an on-car brake lathe...".

Hence - the higher expense to do a full brake refit.

Take care of those rotors!

dnice

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the 6MT and the 5AT had similar stopping distances, but the 6MT had less fade. Which is basically what you said. "5 times in a row"

lstepnio

I had an '04 STi before the TL and if I remember correctly I paid around $1000 for pads. That's just the front/rear pads that I installed myself. I'm not even going to tell you what I paid for Prodrive two piece rotors.

I don't see any reason why the rotors on the TL would require to be turned on the vehicle. This is some stupid ploy by Honda to rape you on service. They pulled the same crap on an 00 Accord we owned and they wanted to charge me $300-$400 for a brake job and claimed they have specialized Honda equipment to turn the rotors. Don't be a sucker!

You do want to take care of those rotors and don't turn them unless you actually need to. These rotors on the 6MT TL given the typical driving style the car will see should last for very-very-very long time with little effort.

kevin922

Where did you find the pads online? Can't seem to find them.

TLspeed

Here's some info on turning your rotors - from the brake shop's perspective. Sift through the blah-blah-blah until about two-thirds through the article for the on-car brake lathe benefits.

Then decide what's right for your car.

http://www.techshop-ets.com/ts804/ts80414.htm

I'm just sayin'...

Ron A

http://www.acuraparts247.com/sunnysi...All&vinsrch=no

stocks2k

The Brembo setup will not reduce the stopping distance, they only improve the brake feel and reduce fading. The limit of the brakes is the tires, and the summer tires on a 6MT will definitley reduce braking distances over the 5AT. As long as a brake system can cause the tires to lock or engage ABS it will slow the car as quickly as the tires will allow.

2004MT6TL

Well, how long were they driving the car before that? Were the brakes warmed up. From what I understand the Brembos have to be heated up to preform to their prime.

2004MT6TL

I ended up going to a local family-owned brake and tire shop that I've been going to my whole life. They are charging me $260 for everything (front brake pads, turn rotors). I have a concern though. For some reason on the driver side, the inter pad wore completely down to the metal, where as the outer pad had 35% left. The passenger side, the same thing happened, but the inner pad wasn't down to the metal, just more worn than the outer. Should this be a warrenty issue?

lstepnio

It's usually normal in regards to uneven wear of the pads. That in mind 35% vs 0% is a bit on the high side if it's normal civilized driving which I assume if you're not doing if you're already replacing all the pad and needed to resurface the rotors.

You letting it wear down to the metal is pretty bad though. I would keep a closer eye on it.

Ron A

The inner pad will always wear more than the outer because the inner is the first pad to contact the rotor when you step on the brakes. So, if you are pressing lightly on the pedal while slowing down, the inner pad will get all the wear. This is the way it is with single piston calipers.

My first car with front disc brakes was an Alfa, which had double piston calipers, so I would watch the outer one, which was easier to see. My next car had single piston calipers, so watching the outer one didn't do the job, and the screeching sound I heard when the bare pad scored the rotor told me I had to replace both pads and rotors.

Road Rage

Hey. i next time i am racing my TL, I will take that into consideration. The braggin' rights for those Brembos and their POTENTIAL which may never be realized is the price you pay, so you voted with your dollars, stop whinin' and pay the Piper. Gucci pads cost.

So is that $175 per set? 2 X $175 + (2 X $55/install) = $460. Sounds right to me.