dubxrossd11

I have an 04 5AT TL. The brakes on it are very inconsistent, some days it feels awesome and has a lot of bite, but other days it feels soft and requires the brake pedal to travel more before it bites and even then the bite just doesn't feel as firm.

This has been the case since I first got the vehicle in August 2010. It's gotten a lot better since I changed my front rotors to EBC slotted rotors and installed Akebono ceramic pads (the rears are not slotted with semi-metallic pads). However, it still happens sometimes (although when it happens its not as bad as before the front rotor/pad change).
Does anybody else experience this with their brakes? Could this be due to temperature? If so, will SS brake lines help make it more consistent? Any help/input/advice is much appreciated!

vill0169

iTrader: (4)

The overall conclusion on AZ is that the 5AT stock brakes are one of the biggest disappointments with the 3G TL. You're mods are definitely a step in the right direction but I agree that some SS lines and some Motul RBF600 are what you're needing. Temp is the biggest killer of brakes period. little things to help this would be to remove the dust shields on at least the front brakes and maybe consider running a pad with a higher operating temperature.

Or upgrade to brembos lol

dubxrossd11

This might be a dumb question but I couldn't find anything on google, just curious as to how pricey and difficult is it to replace the stock brakes with brembos? Haha idk if I have the funds to get brembos. Would replacing the calipers with new ones help at all? And also has anyone put on brembos in their auto?

vill0169

iTrader: (4)

Yeah it's been done plenty of times. You can search here on this site and find more diy info on it. Total cost is probably in the $600-$800 range but maybe less. I wouldn't bother replacing your calipers with new OEM ones, really doubtful that would improve things.

cinobyte

I'm by far no mechanic but if my brakes were inconsistent I would look at air in the line and vacuum problem. I think if you had crappy pads rotors or what not the problem would always be there. You mentioned temp I could see that if the brakes got hot it may lose some performance but I think it would be easy to see if that was the problem with a few test drives after the car has sat over night.

No mechanic just an opinion and we all know how opinions go

vill0169

iTrader: (4)

A brake bleed is never a bad idea but if there was any real problem with the vacuum lines or master cylinder, the problem would be much worse than what the OP is describing. You wanna see heat ruin your braking, just boil your fluid on the track and watch the brake pedal from a perfectly sound system go right to the floor and do nothing lol. Obviously an extreme and it'd never happen on the street but heat definitely is the brake killer.

OP, do you know how much pad you have left on the fronts?

Bearcat94

D-103: Standard brakes to 6spd/TL-S Brembo Brakes Swap Part List
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-performance-parts-modifications-112/d-103-tl-s-brembo-swap-parts-list-716463/#post10669446

dubxrossd11

I'm not sure how much exactly but they are very new. I just replaced them along with the rotors in June.

dubxrossd11

Bearcat, the link you gave me is not working.




(fixed. BC)

Bearcat94

A lot of DIY's and FAQ's are organized on this page: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/3g-tl-garage-faq-3g-tl-newbies-553554/


That's where the Swap List Thread is. This link should take you directly to it:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10669446


Fixed the above links as well.

dubxrossd11

Thanks a lot Bearcat! I would really like to upgrade the stock brakes.

Also, I just took a look at the Swap List Thread and someone mentioned why not do a big brake kit instead of the brembos.. what's the difference between big brake kit and brembos?

vill0169

iTrader: (4)

basically it's cheaper, all oem parts, and I would like the idea of having more pad options readily available

I know there is a Wilwood 13" 4pot BBK that runs just under $900 so that is a great way to go as well.

dubxrossd11

Oh alright. Yeah I wanted to upgrade to better brakes but I wasn't sure if I'm willing to put the money into brembos. is the installation something I would be able to do myself?

btw just curious, do you have a BBK or brembos installed on yours?

vill0169

iTrader: (4)

Well all the 6MT TL's and TL-S came with the Brembo's stock. So I have those with slotted rotors, full race pads, race fluid and have SS lines on order. But mine is a full track car - no street duty for me anymore. lol

dubxrossd11

Oh haha I thought you might have done a conversion from the stock 5AT. I probably should've taken a better look at your avatar. Your car looks sick, I want to take mine to the track one day haha just wishing.