moodymaverick

Hi,

My front brakes were squealing on slight application of the brake and so I took it to the dealer...they said they have to refinish the rotors and change the pads and that would cost me abt 600$ including labor and parts. So I decided to replace the rotors with new ones and change the pads my self. So I changed my front rotors with Brembo blanks and installed new EBC red stuff pads. But i see a lot of dust and am tired of cleaning every week. I also see lil groves on the rotor and on slight application of brake, i hear a squeal.

Could you all recommend a good pad that is not so expensive as the OEM pads ($275 at the dealership). I was told abt the Hawk HPS pads...but am not sure. EBC sucks..i hate the dust.

SouthernBoy

First off, did you bed the new pads in?

As for the dusting, this is exactly why I replaced my stock OEM pads on my '04 manual TL three years ago. I went with Rotex Gold Kevlar pads and the dusting was reduced around 80-90%. Really. Check them out.

BTW, my rotors were in excellent condition and did not require turning. I did bed the new pads in, of course. If you need more info on this, let me know.

moodymaverick

Yes, I did bed the new pads. Even while bedding I heard squeals but I thought that would go away as the brakes fade...but I still have it. I have put more than 350 miles now but it has not gone away. I heard that the Rotex Gold Kevlar pads have lesser efficiency..is that true?

Bearcat94

DON'T get Hawk HPS if you're concerned about noise. Ceramic maybe.

I'd go Racing Brake ET Series (ET300 or ET500). I've got 'em on the '02 and ran them on the '07. No noise. Low dust on the '02; moderate on the '07 (better than OE dust, I think, but still require cleanup each car wash, about once a week).

Most people like EBC, but I don't know/recall about noise issues.

Make sure you use a good and proper coating of grease for the shims & pads.

SouthernBoy

Yes there is a slight drop in braking efficiency from the stock OEM pads, which are actually quite good. If you're not of a mind to race the car, this won't pose any problems.

SouthernBoy

Hey Bearcat;

When I installed my Rotex pads three years ago, I didn't use the shims from the stock pads (or any others for that matter). Any chance of hurting anything by doing this?

nfnsquared

I'll second the RB ET300's. You can get them from MrHeeltoe.com, a vendor on this board. Be sure you grease the back of the pads (no shims required), the retainer pins, and the spring clips. Then do a good bed in. I have zero (and I do mean zero) dust from these pads, absolutely zero squealing, and performance equal to the OEM Brembo pads. Also, I did not resurface the rotors.

RC51Ryder

This thread was right on time. I will be changing my pads in a month or two and wanted to get the Brembo cross drilled rotors from Tire Rack. Now I just have to narrow the pad choice down to either Rotex Gold Kevlar or Racing Brake ET 300.

Bearcat94

Not as far as I know. I know at least one of our vendors have said they are not strictly necessary.

Only reason I recommend them is because of the changes Acura made (I think around 2005) to reduce brake noise.

- They changes the pad design to include chamfers;
- They changed the pad grease from MolyKote-77 to Brembo supplied grease;
- Finally, something with the shims (changed, added - not quite sure).

I just figure whatever I can do to avoid brake noise .... might as well.

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

Shims are always helpful in reducing brake noise. Another pad that is good for low dust and low noise is the ROTORA H2 ceramic pad. It still maintains good braking performance but less dust than the OE pad.

greco9885

iTrader: (1)

josh, whats your opinion on brake pads that stop the best. im looking for some new ones

BEAR-AvHistory

You can get OEM pads for $150 from most mail order dealers.

AnthraciteAspec

iTrader: (6)

I might try the Racing Brakes next. Right now I am using the Rotex Golds. The positives of the golds, price (paid $40 + shipping), very low dust, very quiet. Only downside is you lose a tiny bit of stopping power and they seem to fade fast when I was doing my bedding process. This is not a problem really unless you are racing the car, for everyday driving around the city they are great. Anyways I was driving my car pretty hard the other day through some canyons and noticed the brakes starting to fade on me. So I am thinking of trying the Racing Brake ET 300s next time I need pads, for when these rare occasions occur. Anyways, either way you cannot go wrong. Rotex if you are on a budget and need great everyday brakes. RB ET300 if you want to spend a little more and get that increase in performance.

Oh and don't let thaat 5AT in my sig fool you, I have Brembos.

miiipilot

When I had an '04 TL NBP 6mt I went with Brembo blanks all around and EBC YellowStuffs all around.

Loved em. Great initial bite (Even in a cold weather climate like Cleveland, OH), Zero fade and low dust.

www.perfectbrakes.com

www.buybrakes.com

IMO i'd recommend

miiipilot

bdogg77

I just need a QUIET pad. NO and i mean NO SQUEAL! I am so tired of brakes squealing with light application! I am sure i need to change the rotors. Should this help? Thinking of going with Rotora slotted and some RB or The rotex gold Kevlars. I am to the point i would rather put up with dust than the noise......

DMZ

I just went through 2 sets of Monroe Ceramics. That finger nail on a blackboard sound during light braking got to be too much for me to handle, but their braking power was at least as good or better than the OEM's with hardly any dust. I installed new EBC OE (non-drilled/non-slotted) replacement rotors with the 1st set.

The Monroe tech support folks were very nice and sent me a set of their Dynamic (semi-metallics) which don't make that noise, but their braking power sucks compared to the OEM's and the Monroe Ceramics. Apparently, the head of Monroe Brakes tech support is very concerned to the point where he issued a UPS call tag and is expecting them back to give to their engineers to evaluate the problem. He said they'll find a 2004/5/6 6-Speed TL, install the same pads and EBC rotors then get back to me. We'll see.

The insane amount of dusting is the reason I didn't go with the OEM pads. I did find out they're made for Acura by Ferodo, the same company that makes Wagner, so I'm wondering if I should just go with Wagner Thermoquiet Quick Stops. But then my best buddy from high school who owned an auto parts store for 25 years said "BENDIX" 3 or 4 times over when I told him about all this. He claims that's the brand he always sold and never had complaints from customers.


From Rockauto.com:
BENDIX Part # MKD1049IQ
Front Import Quiet; Manual transmission .......... $35.99

Notice the word "Quiet"?
.
.

BEAR-AvHistory

My OEM pads came in a red Brembo box inside a regular brown Acura parts box.

The pads & shims had the Brembo logo stamped in them & the no-squeal grease was also in Brembo packaging

ngg19

ok, I am a bit confused. I too am in the market for new rotors and pads; I love the performance of the brembos. But if folks here are claiming the Brembos pads are outsourced, well then I will look elsewhere.

SouthernBoy

About four years ago, a neighbor of mine, who's hobby is road racing, told me that Brembo does not make pads. They make the rotors and calipers. The pads are supplied to their specs.

Does anyone know if this true - then or now?

smsTL

iTrader: (1)

stealership wanted $300 just to change my rear pads. I say F*that!! i went to the local shop bought the pads for $20 and installed for $30.

smsTL

iTrader: (1)

Btw, I got the aftermarket pads, the cheapest brand is called 'Silver' pads. I don't how good they are but they are only $20 from the auto shop.

iloveTL

I was looking at the EBC rotors but i dont want the red pads or green. Its too ricey. any recommendations for pads with EBC rotors? do you guys also change the rear rotors too?

blkaspec

i have an AT, not the MT, but i have Racingbrake rotors with ET500 pads and love them!

DMZ

A Brembo customer service rep told me their Acura TL pads are made by Ferodo.

SouthernBoy

Yeah, I read your earlier post about this. Thanks. I've had good service out of my Rotex Golds. They wear good and the extremely low dusting is the best plus for me - as long as they work well, which they do.

SlowRiderr

get EBC Yellow Stuff and their rotors. Best choice ever!

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

There are a lot of great pads: Hawk HPS, Ceramics, ROTORA H2 ceramics, EBC Greenstuffs, Redstuffs. It just depends on what you're most concerned with: braking performance, quietness, dust

Acura Cake

hate to be a thread jack, but it looks like im on my way to changing brakes and rotors , i dont really want to spend a fortune nor do i have any mods or plan on racing my TL so what would be the best option for me?

thanks for these sites i'll check em out when i get home

Tripnbeats

i hear quite a few people swearing by the duralast ceramic gold pads lately. they said OEM stop quality with less dust...i duuunnnooo i wanna get the slotted brembos n those pads but i dont know

vipernj

I agree. I have heard many people say good things about the AZ pads. I think I'll give them a shot this week and I'll let everyone know how they are. I don't see the purpose in getting high perf pads and rotors for a TL like my track car, so the Duralast(AZ) pads should work fine.

ABP_04TL

iTrader: (2)

i have EBC Green Pads on my 6Spd... and once in awhile i might get a squeal, gets me sooo pissed that i even try goin up 2 100MPH and brakin down to 40mph and the freakin squeal is still there!!!

I might try out them Rotoras H2 soon, 2 c how they r might holler at josh!

Tripnbeats

i got the duralast and i squeak cuz i ripped the piston boot. i need to get the seal kit for it. but other than that...insane stopped force.

Vietnastee

iTrader: (8)

Bearcat, which one are you running on your 07 TL? Just trying to see which one (ET300 or ET500) has less brake dust.

Boireman

I have EBC Green stuff, I've hated them since day one, squealed terrible for a month, now not so much but it still kills me. lots of dust. I've had them about a year and I'm searching posts for better options so obviously I'm getting rid of them. Still lots of wear left but I've had enough.

blkaspec

pretty sure he has the ET500s like me, but i am not sure if anyone has had both for a comparison

SlowRiderr

I have EBC rotors and EBC yellows. They do not squeal in day to day driving.

The only time they squeal is when I'm driving very hard and get them very hot, and then lightly brake when pulling into a parking space immediately after the hard run.

Any race brake pad will do the exact same thing though.

I had brand new duralast rotors and gold pads and they were HORRIBLE.

Had the rotors resurfaced, pads decked and put them back on. Didn't squeal for a day, then started squealing again.

Then I tried friction master ceramics from advance. Squealed same day.
Then tried Wagner from Advance. Squealed same day. Then I ordered my EBC setup and i'v been loving life ever since. I bought it from buybrakes.com