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So I have 2 separate issues I would like some advice on
First is a nasty brake squeal
Less than 3 months ago I replaced all the pads and rotors on my 04 TL (manual transmission of it matters). I brought Hawk HPS pads which I have used on my Civic with zero issues. This time I went with a new brand of rotors though, Meyle. The guy I bought my last set of brake stuff from recommended them and I did a very brief search and mostly uses on European cars popped up, but they were pretty positive. So I went with them and got it all installed and brandished as recommended. Then the squealing started. It's fairly inconsistent so it's hard for me to pinpoint what the issue could be. It usually happens during light braking at slow speeds where not a whole lot of pressure is applied. It also just sounds like is coming from the passenger front, and the longer I drive the more frequent it is, I'm assuming from the brakes heating up. So a few weeks go by and I buy some spray for both the braking surfaces and for the back of the pads as well. Take it all apart and spray it all on and put it together and when I get it back together brandish it again. For about a week to a week and a half everything if quiet. But after that the squealing slowly comes back and gets worse and starts happening as before. And now every once in a while it sounds like it's coming from both front brakes.
Thats about where I'm at now. I've thought about bleeding the whole system, which I didn't do during the initial pad/rotor replacement, but I never have during a simple change like that. Not an expert so I could be wrong but I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for me
My second issue is this...
Some how I stripped out the threads on the bolt hole for my Brembos caliper to bolt to the knuckle, the threads on the caliper themselves. No idea how and I feel pretty stupid but nonetheless it needs to be fixed. Am I gonna have to suck it up and replace the Brembo caliper or can I do something like have the hole rethreaded (if that's safe)? Seems like it would be but again wanted to get some opinions
Thanks in advanced for any input or suggestions. It's just getting nice enough to roll the windows down and the squealing ruins it lmao
lube the pins, shims, and everything that moves in the braking components...that will get rid of squeal.
as far as stripping the soft aluminum brake caliper....it happens...as the metal is VERY soft.
you can try a helicoil kit or a tap kit to try to repair the threads.
I use a bottle of the CRC Synthetic Brake & Caliper Grease. It has a brush built into the cap and I coat the back of the pads as well as the other moving surfaces.
I use a bottle of the CRC Synthetic Brake & Caliper Grease. It has a brush built into the cap and I coat the back of the pads as well as the other moving surfaces.
I'll pick it up and probably wait to do it until I can fix the stripped caliper problem at the same time. Maybe paint the calipers since I already have to remove one lol
I'm not looking forward to pulling the caliper for that very reason
This is why I want to sell my '05 before I need to do brake work again. I know this fun is going to get me next time and I do not have the equipment at this house to do the repair myself....nor do I have the time these days.
looks like all of us with the Brembo need to either buy the thread insert kit or have another pair of caliper before take the caliper off. This thread strip issue has annoy me too.
I wish Brembo calipers came with steel threaded bolt holes from the factory, would save a TON of time and money OP if you need any help or tips with repairing the caliper bolt hole let me know.
Damn, that sucks. I need to replace a front lug and I'm not looking forward to pulling the caliper for that very reason
Edit:
1. OP, so are you driving it with only 1 bolt in the caliper?
2. Which hole stripped? Upper or lower?
No both bolts are there. The bottom one just spins though. No loose by any means and it hasn't backed out on its own. Not super comfortable with it but I check on it and it stays put.
Originally Posted by srg818
I wish Brembo calipers came with steel threaded bolt holes from the factory, would save a TON of time and money OP if you need any help or tips with repairing the caliper bolt hole let me know.
Will do man thanks I appreciate it.
And thanks to everyone. I love how there are lots of active people here with ACTUAL feedback. Awesome community to be a part of
Use a medium breaker bar with a cheater bar to get those Brembos off slowly. Soak in PB blaster for a couple of applications.
You'll have to pull both rear wheels off and check the pair of pads to make sure they are wearing evenly. That noise you mention sounds like my rear calipers as it progressively got worse.
What about a reman caliper? Both O'reilly and Advance/Checker have them for $93 (after core). And right now, you can get 15% off one at Advance/Checker. (code is SAVE).
srg818, do you remember if the frozen bolt on each of your calipers was the lower bolt?
I had 2 caliper bolts frozen, 1 per side. One of them was a lower bolt but the other side I can't remember off the top of my head.
I highly recommend anyone with a TL that they plan to keep for a long time with brembo calipers and are planning to do a brake job soon - buy the TimeSert kit ahead of time and have all 4 caliper bolt holes re-done the right way once and for all. It will save you a ton of time and aspirin the next time you have to do pads/rotors or any suspension work requiring caliper removal.
So looking into the thread repair kit.... I don't have a vice I can have the caliper in while I drill. And it seems like you can buy just the thread inserts. Anyone think it's a good idea to just buy those and have a machine shop install and do all 4 at once? Or do you think the drill bits and cross threaded and such aren't a general too and are specific to the kit?
What about a reman caliper? Both O'reilly and Advance/Checker have them for $93 (after core). And right now, you can get 15% off one at Advance/Checker. (code is SAVE).
Can you just buy replacement reman Brembos at checkers?
Yep, but that won't solve the dissimilar metal corrosion issue. After time, the reman caliper will have the same issues. But, if you don't plan on needing to mess with the caliper bolts for a long time, it might be the best option for you.
Anyone think it's a good idea to just buy those and have a machine shop install and do all 4 at once?
Yes, it's definitely worth the money since this will be a one-time deal installation that will last you the length of ownership of your Acura, think of it as an investment.
Originally Posted by nfnsquared
Yep, but that won't solve the dissimilar metal corrosion issue. After time, the reman caliper will have the same issues. But, if you don't plan on needing to mess with the caliper bolts for a long time, it might be the best option for you.
Unfortunately it's almost a guarantee that the new brembo caliper will have the same frozen bolt issue given enough time(Honda wants those brembo caliper bolts tightened to 125 Foot-pounds of torque into aluminum threads, dafuq!) If OP gets all 4 holes threaded with the steel thread kit every brake/suspension/whatever job from there on out will be problem-free with regards to brake caliper bolts. I know for damn sure I would not want to run into another frozen bolt later down the line if I had replaced with a new caliper, even those $100 re-manufactured brembos get expensive!