VegasRPh

I have a 2008 Acura TL-S with the Brembo brake system and it is time to change the FRONT brake pads.

My TL-S has 16,200 miles on it. The OEM pads have about 15% left (according to the dealer's brake inspection).

Dealer wants $450.00 to do the job. The Brembo pads are $250.00 and the labor is $200.

I found some EBC "Ultimax" brake pads for $60 on various websites that can be used on the Brembo brake system. Are these good pads? Anyone used these on the Acura TL-S???

EBC makes other pads as well.........."Green Stuff" pads are $110.00 and the "Red Stuff" pads are $130.00

AutoZone makes a DURALAST GOLD pad for $70.00 as well.

Any help or advice????

Thanks!!!!!

01tl4tl

those will work- ebc is an industry leader in brake pads and clutches for cars and bikes worldwide

If you tried searching the brake pad threads here but couldnt get the info- try a regular internet search using (what you want) +acurazine.com it will pull the answers for you

the Garage section has DIY brembo brake pads with all you need to know
Plan on flushing the brake fluid with pad change- its smart to do that every year to protect expensive abs and caliper parts

VegasRPh

I think I will go with the AutoZone's Duralast Gold CMAX front brakes for $60 + tax.

I have read quite a few reviews from Acura owners and they seem to be very happy with the CMAX line of brake pads.

CJ0920

I have the Red Stuff EBC pads and they have been great. If they are just changing pads for $200, I'd save your money and do it your self. The front brembos are so easy to change pads, you will spend more time jacking the car up and removing the wheel.

On top and bottom of the caliper, there are holding pins that need to be tapped out. The holding pins hold the shield in place that keeps the pads in place, if that makes sense. The bads slide right out from there and slide the new ones in and your set. If you can't get the new pad in there put the old pad in and wedge a screw driver in there to push the pistons back in and your set.

piggydog

please follow this advice, unless you race your car really hard you won't even notice the difference in performance. To break my pads in I did some hard 70mph to 5 mph stops and the cmax pads did basically the same as my Oem pads. $65 after tax, oh and please save your money, there is a DIY guide. It's 2 pins off of each side and it takes about the same time as taking the wheel off.

VegasRPh

Good to know. Thanks for all the info. I will give the Duralast CMAX pads a shot and see how they do. For $60 + tax, it seems like a deal.
I will tackle this project in the next few days.

VegasRPh

Ok. BRAKE JOB on the TL-S is complete.

To be perfectly honest, it was the easiest brake job I have ever done.

Anyone, and I mean ANYONE......can do the FRONT BRAKES on the TL-S. The BREMBO caliper does not need to come off the rotor, the pads just "slide" out!

Here are the steps to do the FRONT brakes (Brembo system):
*Get the CAR on a FLAT surface, pop the hood, open up the Brake Master Cylinder Cap
1. Loosen lug nuts on ONE wheel, then jack up that side of the car, near the front wheel.
2. place a support jack or brick/block under car just for added safety.
3. Take the wheel off the TL-S
4. Using a PUNCH (or any tool that is THIN/SMALL), knock out the 2 pins on caliper.
5. The RETAINING CLIP that holds the brake pads will fall/come off
6. Using the OLD BRAKE pads.......gently PUSH IN THE PISTONS on the calipers.
7. Slide the OLD pads out.
8. Use the BRAKE PAD grease and coat the new pads ON THE BACK of the pad
9. Put the NEW PADS in the Brembo calipers
10. Replace the RETAINING CLIP on caliper (with a new one, or clean the original one)
11. Insert the PUNCH PINS back in the caliper (after you clean/lube them)
12. SPIN the rotor by hand, or with the wheel on the car to make sure it spins freely.
13. Replace LUG NUTS on the wheel, lower the car down to the ground, retighten lugs.

REPEAT FOR THE OTHER SIDE.

Then, REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE CAP under the hood. START the car, PUMP (push brake pedal) brakes to the floor 2-3 times until pedal feels normal. Drive car VERY SLOW and test brakes several times by coming to a stop. DONE.

All-in-all............20-30 minutes per side, maybe 45 minutes IF you have NEVER worked on brakes before. Just about the EASIEST brake job EVER.
SHAME on Acura dealers for trying to charge $450 (or more) for this service!!!

My costs:
Duralast CMAX (Lifetime Warranty) brake pads $59.99 + Tax
1 extra pack of brake pad grease ($1.19 + Tax)
1 can of BRAKE CLEANER (Valvoline) spray can ($3.99 + Tax)
Maybe 1 hour of my personal time total from start to finish

Overall, the AutoZone Duralast Cmax brake pads seems just fine. LESS brake dust (for sure) vs the Brembo Pads. LIFETIME WARRANTY with the Duralast Pads, just take the OLD pads in to AutoZone next time for a FREE NEW SET.....for LIFE!!

BradE

Yup, it's easy. Dealers rape people on changing Brembos. They have a lift, so changing the pads would probably take them 20 minutes for the front, tops.

Audioholics

Where did you guys but these Duralast CMAX pads? Are they as good as the EBC's for stopping power? thanks

xmrgoodcatx

iTrader: (1)

Duralast products are sold at autozone.

Flyer92

I'm curious too about the EBC, my 06 TL MT needs new pads in the rear, and I'm debating EBC since I know they have been in the brake business a long time.