sharpWheels

TL Experts,

I own a 2005 TL that needs new brake pads(both front and rear). The best deal I am getting from an Acura dealership is $530 - for semi-metallic pads and resurfacing of rotors. And Firestone will sell me ceramic pads (and resurface the rotors) for almost $200 less than that - Wagner ThermoQuiet or Wagner EDGE(that includes a coupon discount). The Acura dealership didnot recommend ceramic pads - saying they would be noisier and would make the braking stiff. Consumer Reports however, recommends ceramic pads over semi-metallics. Is that not true for the TL?

Please advice what is best.

Thank you.

TLS4TL

I have an 07' TL Type S w/Brembos and I got my pads from www.rotorpros.com . Ask for Rich and talk to him. He's very helpful and they will save you lots of $$$. Tell him Tom L. recommended you. Let me know what you think.

JwongTLS

I was recommended the EBC 3000 " Red Stuff ".

DO NOT GET THOSE! They squeak like no tomorrow!!

neogauge

I'm running Brembo Calipers on Rotora Pads with Rotora Rotors Drilled and slotted. Quiet, Smooth, Great Braking and not that pricey. Got them form a vendor here, http://excelerateperformance.com

Bearcat94

Racing Brake ET Series (ET300 or ET500). Check with site vendor Mr. HeelToe (Marcus) or at www.heeltoeauto.com.

sharpWheels

Tom, Jwong,Neogauge,Bearcat,
Thank you for your responses. I was planning on taking my car to a dealership/auto shop for this since I have no experience on working with cars. Was looking for regular pads - no performance stuff. How much of work is it to change brake pads and what all tools would I need ?

Would you/anyone know if ceramic pads are better than semi-metallic ones?

Thanks.

Bearcat94

You don't mention AT or MT. If MT, the fronts are super easy to change. A screwdriver, a punch and that's about it.

Rears are a bit more involved, but just a couple of wrenches.

There are step-by-step Service Manual instructions on the 3G Garage. If I can do it, anybody can do it.

3G Garage: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/3g-tl-garage-faq-3g-tl-newbies-553554/

D-041: Brakes-front/rear caliper overhaul, front/rear pad replacement, brake bleeding, brake disc specifications, parking brake adjustment
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118283

D-094: DIY: Brembo Brake Pad Replacement
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-performance-parts-modifications-112/3g-garage-d-094-brembo-hawk-pad-replacement-w-pics-579140/
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-performance-parts-modifications-112/diy-2007-tl-s-brake-pad-replacement-629428/


"Performance" pads will cost about the same or less than OE pads and work better; even for daily driving. And the pads noted earlier are not "High Perfomance" pads, but more of a "Street Performance" pad.



Not sure about wear/durablity/comfort/noise on semi-metallic vs ceramic.

xcb5

[dons flame shield] autozone has their duralast gold cmax ceramic pads. people on the EVO forums seem to like them and they're only $60 with lifetime guarantee. i'd recommend calling around, my local precision tire will resurface your rotors for about $55 per axle.

link to evo forum:
http://forums.evolutionm.net/evo-tir...ly-driver.html

lummer23

I have an 07 TL Type-S MT. I just replaced my front brake pads last weekend. I bought the OEM Brembo brake pads from the dealer for about $145 and replaced them myself.

Takes about 30 mins per wheel if you follow instructions. Real easy.

xcelir8TL

I have a 2004 5AT and today I ordered a set of EBC 3GD Sport Rotors for the front and a set of EBC Redstuff Ceramic - 3000 Series -> despite what the other poster said. I've heard very good stuff with the pads as long as you mate them to a good rotor (hence the no squeak). Set me back $274 shipped. I'll post my thoughts and pictures in a week or so.

MobTownTL

iTrader: (1)

hey i was just wondering if anyone could recommend a brake set up...
looking for some good stopping performance, but mainly i'm going for new brake setup for the cosmetic aspect of things... i personally want a brake set up that is silver with some red calipers x_X if anyone could reccomend me a set up with those goals in mind i'd much appreciate it.

Timeless

Definitely don't get Hawk HPS pads. I'm running them and they are destroying my rotors. They're basically eating away grooves in them.

MobTownTL

iTrader: (1)

hmm, i'm looking for something not too expensive... really i just want a performance look and something that's quiet and has no squeak... wondering if it's possible to just change the rotors to cross drilled and slotted and change out the calipers to some red ones... you think the oem base brake pads will work with the rotors or do i need to uprgrade them too?

xcelir8TL

EBC Red Stuff. Oh, get the EBC Sport Rotors too!

coykiam

Hi guys, I currently have an 06 AT with 22500miles on them. I just noticed my rotors are not smooth, when I ran my fingers thru them it feels like it has valleys (is that the right description) and I also have noticed a little bit of pedal sponge when pressing the brakes slowly, just a very tiny bit thou. Is it normal for it to happen at this point of the car? Do I need new rotors and/or pads? Thanks all....

ckya

i ran hawk HPS.....they brake well but dust like crazy
i'm running hawk ceramic and they don't dust @ all, even less dust than OEM
i suggest trying hawk ceramic if u find a gd deal....

Rave2365

Wow! What GR8 info...I just purchased a '07 TL 6 MT S & the dude I purchased it from told me about this site & all the GR8 info...just reading this thread proves he was spot on!

avs007

I currently have Akebono ProACT Ceramic pads on our TL. They seem to have the same stopping power as stock, but certainly dust a hell of a lot less...

I ran the Hawk HPS on a different car, and found those brakes work really well when warm, but suck rocks when cold. There were many times I accidently blew past the stop sign in front of my house because the initial bite sucks. Actually that car has Akebono ProACT now as well. It stops much better now than it did with the Hawks...

Not sure if they make ProjectMu for the TL or not, but I have ProjectMu Type-NS on my G35, those things are awesome. Could be the brake setup, but those pads definately stop much quicker than the Akebonos I have on the TL, and dust about the same as those, but much less than the OEM Infiniti brakes.

crzygosu87

iTrader: (4)

I just purchased some EBC redstuff. I've been using EBC ET300's with EBC one-piece rotors. Jjashaa on the forums uses the same rotors with the EBC redstuff pads, and he's recommended them to me without any hesitation.

jjashaa

iTrader: (23)

whoa whoa whoa..

95' Legend 2piston calipers
RacingBrake 1piece slotted rotors
RacingBrake SS line
EBC redstuff pads
with Motul RBF...

never looked back.

cab13367

For those looking for an inexpensive pad that equals the performance of the stock pads, try Monroe Ceramics CX1001 from Baxter Auto Parts (same as Checkers Auto Parts). I bought a set for $55 and installed them last weekend. They perform every bit as well as the stock pads, are absolutely silent, and emit very little dust.

You can spend a lot more money on brake pads but the truth is, unless you track your car, these should work just fine.

This is for a Type S (Brembo calipers) by the way.

korrupted

I have the Monores, they are a bit soft for me.
Just ordered some Hawk Cermaics & slotted Brembro's.

FlyFast93

Interesting notes below on bad experiences with Hawk HPS. I have them on another car with Brembo brakes and love them - great bite in cold, low dust, quiet. Wondering if improper bed-in procedure is at fault?
I plan to turn my rotors (at 27k miles) and will let you know what I decide...
BTW - I looked here and couldn't find it. The MIN FRONT ROTOR THICKNESS is 23mm (24.9 - 25.1 mm new) according to Acura Dealer

What has been the experience for most of you with your front rotors - on the first pad change, do you typically have enough thickness to turn vs replace?

Cheers