Honda Car Forum

Hello!

I am a farily active driver (my apologies to those who are offended by
fast [but not reckless] driving), and I routinely travel at speeds
above 90mph. I rarely use brakes, and when I do, it is usually for
quick braking 90 -> 60.

This is my 3rd TL, I have had 99 TL, 01 TL and now I am in 03 TL-S. I
love the performance, I love the ergonomics and I overlook some of the
minor things, for this is the only car I can buy for 29k brand new,
that has ALL of the options.

In all 3 TLs I have had a problem with vibration in the stearing wheel
when braking from speeds > 65mph. My 03 TL-S has 20k miles, and it
started in it as well. I remember hearing one of the mechanics say
something about the Acura using hard metallic pads, which overheat the
rotors, resulting in warping. I also have seen them (Acura service)
use softer pads, to remedy the issue.

My recent trip to service -- they did just that. However, I was also
told that my rear brakes are 80% worn. At 20k miles that came as a
surprise to me... And even moreso was the statement by one of the guys
in service that the expected life of rear brakes is now around 30k...
Has anybody heard this? My two previous TLs had 60 and 80k miles when
I sold them, and I nevber had to replace the rears...

Are there places on the Web that document these changes (like the
expected lifetime of certain components)? They wanted to charge me
$200 for the rear brakes, and I refused to pay for now (warranty
repair?)....

Thank you in advance!

"Alex Vilner" <alex@sinoma.com> wrote in message
news:22e9f6e0.0308131137.32600998@posting.google.c om...
> Hello!
>
> I am a farily active driver (my apologies to those who are offended by
> fast [but not reckless] driving), and I routinely travel at speeds
> above 90mph. I rarely use brakes, and when I do, it is usually for
> quick braking 90 -> 60.
>
> This is my 3rd TL, I have had 99 TL, 01 TL and now I am in 03 TL-S. I
> love the performance, I love the ergonomics and I overlook some of the
> minor things, for this is the only car I can buy for 29k brand new,
> that has ALL of the options.
>
> In all 3 TLs I have had a problem with vibration in the stearing wheel
> when braking from speeds > 65mph. My 03 TL-S has 20k miles, and it
> started in it as well. I remember hearing one of the mechanics say
> something about the Acura using hard metallic pads, which overheat the
> rotors, resulting in warping. I also have seen them (Acura service)
> use softer pads, to remedy the issue.
>
> My recent trip to service -- they did just that. However, I was also
> told that my rear brakes are 80% worn. At 20k miles that came as a
> surprise to me... And even moreso was the statement by one of the guys
> in service that the expected life of rear brakes is now around 30k...
> Has anybody heard this? My two previous TLs had 60 and 80k miles when
> I sold them, and I nevber had to replace the rears...
>
> Are there places on the Web that document these changes (like the
> expected lifetime of certain components)? They wanted to charge me
> $200 for the rear brakes, and I refused to pay for now (warranty
> repair?)....
>
> Thank you in advance!

I heard a rumor there was a TSB on the brakes. The brakes seem to be a weak
point for many Honda products. You are in a mileage bracket that may not
allow for a 'freebie' since brakes are wear and tear items. Dealerships are
usually kinder to vehicles with less than 15K, concerning brakes. It is
very unusual to have the rear brakes go first. If you go to TireRack you
can get Brembo blank rotors for around $50/each. Use any pad you like
(Axxis for example).

yeah, my brakes sucks too. crazy vibration at highway speed
even if you just tap em...also noticed quite a bit of brake steer.




"Alex Vilner" <alex@sinoma.com> wrote in message
news:22e9f6e0.0308131137.32600998@posting.google.c om...
> Hello!
>
> I am a farily active driver (my apologies to those who are offended by
> fast [but not reckless] driving), and I routinely travel at speeds
> above 90mph. I rarely use brakes, and when I do, it is usually for
> quick braking 90 -> 60.
>
> This is my 3rd TL, I have had 99 TL, 01 TL and now I am in 03 TL-S. I
> love the performance, I love the ergonomics and I overlook some of the
> minor things, for this is the only car I can buy for 29k brand new,
> that has ALL of the options.
>
> In all 3 TLs I have had a problem with vibration in the stearing wheel
> when braking from speeds > 65mph. My 03 TL-S has 20k miles, and it
> started in it as well. I remember hearing one of the mechanics say
> something about the Acura using hard metallic pads, which overheat the
> rotors, resulting in warping. I also have seen them (Acura service)
> use softer pads, to remedy the issue.
>
> My recent trip to service -- they did just that. However, I was also
> told that my rear brakes are 80% worn. At 20k miles that came as a
> surprise to me... And even moreso was the statement by one of the guys
> in service that the expected life of rear brakes is now around 30k...
> Has anybody heard this? My two previous TLs had 60 and 80k miles when
> I sold them, and I nevber had to replace the rears...
>
> Are there places on the Web that document these changes (like the
> expected lifetime of certain components)? They wanted to charge me
> $200 for the rear brakes, and I refused to pay for now (warranty
> repair?)....
>
> Thank you in advance!

On 13 Aug 2003 12:37:14 -0700, alex@sinoma.com (Alex Vilner) wrote:

>Hello!
>
>I am a farily active driver (my apologies to those who are offended by
>fast [but not reckless] driving), and I routinely travel at speeds
>above 90mph. I rarely use brakes, and when I do, it is usually for
>quick braking 90 -> 60.

No offense taken here. As long as you're driving safely, more power to you.


>In all 3 TLs I have had a problem with vibration in the stearing wheel
>when braking from speeds > 65mph. My 03 TL-S has 20k miles, and it
>started in it as well. I remember hearing one of the mechanics say
>something about the Acura using hard metallic pads, which overheat the
>rotors, resulting in warping. I also have seen them (Acura service)
>use softer pads, to remedy the issue.

I have experienced the vibration on my 02 TL-S at about 25k miles. The dealers
admitted that there was a defect in the brakes and replaced my front brake
pads and rotors at no charge.

They also examined my rear brake pads and found it has worn down less than
20%. 80% wear at 20k miles is excessive.

I drive at a rather sedate and comfortable pace about half the time, but I do
become more assertive when I'm in the mood. I routinely use the brakes very
firmly when negotiating curves to decelerate between 65MPH to 25MPH.

Should I ask the question how you guys do the car wash? I assume
no one splashs the brake rotor after a drive ??

Dave Rahardja <ask@me.com> wrote:
: On 13 Aug 2003 12:37:14 -0700, alex@sinoma.com (Alex Vilner) wrote:

:>Hello!
:>
:>I am a farily active driver (my apologies to those who are offended by
:>fast [but not reckless] driving), and I routinely travel at speeds
:>above 90mph. I rarely use brakes, and when I do, it is usually for
:>quick braking 90 -> 60.

: No offense taken here. As long as you're driving safely, more power to you.


:>In all 3 TLs I have had a problem with vibration in the stearing wheel
:>when braking from speeds > 65mph. My 03 TL-S has 20k miles, and it
:>started in it as well. I remember hearing one of the mechanics say
:>something about the Acura using hard metallic pads, which overheat the
:>rotors, resulting in warping. I also have seen them (Acura service)
:>use softer pads, to remedy the issue.

: I have experienced the vibration on my 02 TL-S at about 25k miles. The dealers
: admitted that there was a defect in the brakes and replaced my front brake
: pads and rotors at no charge.

: They also examined my rear brake pads and found it has worn down less than
: 20%. 80% wear at 20k miles is excessive.

: I drive at a rather sedate and comfortable pace about half the time, but I do
: become more assertive when I'm in the mood. I routinely use the brakes very
: firmly when negotiating curves to decelerate between 65MPH to 25MPH.

> > Should I ask the question how you guys do the car wash? I assume
> > no one splashs the brake rotor after a drive ??

All I have to say is that I have been driving for about 17 years, I
have put a total of approximately 600,000 miles on the cars that I
owned (and there have been about 15 of them), and I have NEVER had the
problem, going through puddles or car washes. Puddles are out there,
you cannot avoid them. Carwashes are there as well, you can avoid
splashing water on the rotors, however...

On 20 Aug 2003 06:44:03 -0700, alex@sinoma.com (Alex Vilner) wrote:

>> > Should I ask the question how you guys do the car wash? I assume
>> > no one splashs the brake rotor after a drive ??
>
>All I have to say is that I have been driving for about 17 years, I
>have put a total of approximately 600,000 miles on the cars that I
>owned (and there have been about 15 of them), and I have NEVER had the
>problem, going through puddles or car washes. Puddles are out there,
>you cannot avoid them. Carwashes are there as well, you can avoid
>splashing water on the rotors, however...

Avoid washing your car after long periods of hard braking. Wash the car first
thing in the morning if possible, to make sure that the brake rotors are cool
when you splash water on them.