I went to see my mechanic today and yet again, I have something wrong with my car! When is this going to end?!?!

Anyways, he told me that one of my brakes is totally gone and being that he is a family friend, I guess he wouldn't lie to me. He told me that I definitely need to get it fixed by tomorrow! So I asked him if I should just buy a whole new set of brakes because I do like the "Acura" brakes (the black ones that say Acura). However, he told me it might be cheaper to look into an Aftermarket brand! Any recommendations and price ranges? Please help as soon as possible as I need to get this done like this weekend! Thanks guys.

 

Well as for the brembo 4 piston calipers that say acura will probably cost you a couple grand for the new knuckles to fit the auto the brembo calipers and pads. As for after market a couple members have bought the Rotora calipers with aftermarket pads and rotors which would cost you about a couple grand also, which can be purchased i believe from an acurazine vendor. The cheapest way to go it to just get some good aftermarket high performance pads and rotors. As for the stock pads and rotors might cost you a little more. If your pads are just running low i would just replace the pads and have the rotors machined if you dont want to spend all the money! If you want to go all fancy and have the money go for the upraded stuff.

 

He told me that it would only be about 400 dollars...? I'm so confused! To be honest, I'm a bit of a car "noob" and I believe the only thing he said that needs to be replaced is the pads maybe? Is that the part that like sticks out and above the rotor? I'm confused! Please help! I'm trying to research prices and such but I don't know what I really need to look for!

 

Have many miles on the car- its a 5 speed auto correct?
What part of the country are you in- so we can send you to a place with good stuff in hand
since you need then right away
driving style normal or thing your a racer?

If around 25k miles you can resurface the rotors and replace the pads
#normally# disclaimer disclaimer!!
if they got worn way past the norm it could have toasted the rotors
if 50k miles- MAY be ready for rotors

Was there bad noise every time you used the brakes for the last month- a high pitched noise that got your attention- that was the wear sensor on the pads warning you of need

 

You're right, it is a 5 speed automatic with roughly 16,500 miles on it and it's only a year old. I'm in New York City. I pretty much drive normally except the days when I feel like pushing it and going like 70mph.

There hasn't been any high pitched noises coming from the car but there have been times where I hear a semi-high pitched sound but it is not that loud and I feel as if it is coming from my car.

 

A normal brake job should cost around $350 for rotors resurfaced and pads. What you are saying with the brakes that say ACURA on them those are brake calipers, they consist of a piston or pistons which compress the brake pads and make your vehicle stop.

 

Is it possible to just buy the calipers? Maybe you know exactly what I need? New pads maybe? I do want the ACURA caliper look...

 

To do the conversion you will need the tl m/t knuckles, acura calipers, brake pads, rotors, which can all be purchased from acura and will run you about a couple grand or so.

 

So looks like I'm stuck with the ugly old pads alone? The same old gray look. I don't think anything is wrong with the rotor, so what do I need to buy exactly?

 

Yes your best bet is to just purchase brake pads, get new rotors or have your old ones resurfaced (cut). You should always resurface of replace your rotors when installing new brake pads if this is not done if may cause squealing and if your rotors are already warped you will have vibration issues when braking.

 

Any brand recommendations?

 

Stay with Acura/Honda or get Hawk pads (your mechanic may need to order them).

It appears you need new pads and a resurface ("machining") of the rotors ("discs") rather than new rotors. The pads are the parts the grip the disc--- the brake pistons in the calipers push the pads against the disc to stop the car. $400 sounds a little high (even in NY) unless the mechanic is doing both the front and rear brakes. He should give you a written list of parts and labor before you decide whether to go forward; you can call an Acura dealership to check its prices for the same work-- your family friend should be cheaper!

And I agree with the other poster^^: don't bother converting to the Acura-branded Brembos as it's expensive due to the additional parts needed for clearance.

Also, see https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/brittney-spears-gets-dirty-sanchez-%2A%2Anws%2A%2A-163961/ for a diagram of the brakes and discussion of brake pads for the 5AT.

 

You may also benefit from having a real mechanic taking a look at your car. Everyone here is guessing as are you and your friend.

 

This guy is a family friend but he is a licensed mechanic.

 

You're probably fine with his advice if he is what you say he is.


You are asking about two different things in you questions.

Question 1 is about brake replacement/repair.

As those above have said, you *probably* need pads and to have the rotors (the "disc" in "disc brakes") resurfaced (aka "machined", "turned", "reground"). Pads are a normal wear item and need occasional replacement. Resurfacing the rotors is to remove surface contamination, provide uniform surface smoothness and provide uniform thickness. If the rotors will not meet the minimum thickness after resurfacing, they must be replaced. New rotors are relatively expensive.

My recommendation, especially if you need any new rotors is to go with OEM or one of the performance brands recommeded on AcuraZine like Rotora. You'll also want quality pads and there are many good street use brands available. Do not trade quality for $'s on your brakes.



Question 2 is about the "Acura" Black Caliper.

You don't need it to get your brakes fixed. If you want it as a performance or appearance enhancement, it'll cost because it will not fit your AT without additonal parts/modification. The "Acura" Black Caliper is actually a high(er) performance 4-piston caliper made by Brembo and is standard on MT and TL-S models.



Your brakes are actually a simple system. The Rotors turn with the wheels. The Calipers hold the Pads. When the Caliper closes, the Pads grab the Rotor and bring the wheels to a stop. You control the closing of the Caliper by pressing the brake pedal in the car.

This simple system has gotten very complex with the advent of affordable electronics. Things like Brake Force Distribution, Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Assist, SH-AWD (which we don't have in the TL ... yet) and Anti-Lock Brakes all use complex electronics to modulate brake force to gain some performance advantage.

 

16k miles you need pads and learn to drive differently- thats pretty early to need brakes!
Pad squealer been going off- resurface rotors

Pro tech or not- you left there with no idea what was really being suggested be done within 1 day
And that semi hi pitched noise- that was the brake warning device

 

Uh, excuse me...but this car is only one year old. Have you brought the car back to an Acura dealer? Pads are one thing, but if there is a defect in you brakes shouldn't it be covered under warantee?

 

You should not need brakes. I have 57K on my 04 and drive a mixed loop, highway and city, and my brakes are still good...check it out with the dealer.

 

Take it to the dealership. It might get covered under warranty. I would argue that you should not have replace brakes that soon. You also said only one is bad. That would also bolster your case for warranty work. If they were both worn down evenly that would be different. Maybe you had a pad sticking that caused the premature wear.

 

So I went back to my mechanic and he replaced the pads for me. Being close to my family, he didn't ask for money unless he's going to call me or I'll have to give it to him next time but who knows. I would have gone to the dealer but I honestly didn't feel like dealing with the hassle of arguing with them knowing that pads are not covered under warranty because they are designed to wear out. But all is well now and thanks guys for all the help.

 

Brake pads are a known wear item, but in your situation being a new car and only a year old and low miles, they might just replace them under warranty and resurface your rotors, this is not a normal for the brakes to wear that fast, unless you drive with one foot riding the brake and one on the gas! Ive done several warranty brake jobs because of premature wear.