Brake pads for a 2000 3.2TL

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

retired2000 - 16 May 2007 23:26 GMT

Folks,

I just went to two different auto supply stores, both national chains.
At one I was told that the original equipment brake pads were
metallic. At the other I was told that the original equipment brake
pads were ceramic.

The car was built in June, 2000 if that makes any difference. The
first store also offered 'premium' pads that were ceramic, at $39.99,
about $10 more than the others.

The second store wanted $57.00 for the ceramic 'original equipment'
pads, and $45.00 for the metallic.

I've just read through a lot of posts on TL brake pads, and some say
that ceramic pads lead to rotor warp. I have 59,000 miles on the car
and the original pads. I want to change them before going on a long
summer drive, just in case.

I read many posts that say use original equipment equivalent and
that's fine with me, but no one says what type of pad the original
equipment was. The posts on the effects of ceramic pads make me think
that ceramics are not original equipment.

Does anyone know?

Thanks,

Bob

Reply to this Message

Tegger - 17 May 2007 11:41 GMT

> Folks,
>
> I just went to two different auto supply stores, both national chains.
> At one I was told that the original equipment brake pads were
> metallic. At the other I was told that the original equipment brake
> pads were ceramic.

This may be correct. Honda did install ceramics on some vehicles in
2000.

> The car was built in June, 2000 if that makes any difference. The
> first store also offered 'premium' pads that were ceramic, at $39.99,
> about $10 more than the others.
>
> The second store wanted $57.00 for the ceramic 'original equipment'
> pads, and $45.00 for the metallic.

El cheapo. They are NOT "original equipment", despite that weaselly
name.

> I've just read through a lot of posts on TL brake pads, and some say
> that ceramic pads lead to rotor warp.

There are a LOT of reasons for "warp", some of them not even having
anything to do with warpage itself. There's a lot of "Internet wisdom"
floating around.
Best reference I've found yet:
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/bf/bf100326.htm

> I have 59,000 miles on the car
> and the original pads. I want to change them before going on a long
> summer drive, just in case.

Why not just pull the wheels off and see how much is left? If you've got
more than 3/16" at the thinnest point, you're good to the end of summer.

> I read many posts that say use original equipment equivalent and
> that's fine with me, but no one says what type of pad the original
> equipment was. The posts on the effects of ceramic pads make me think
> that ceramics are not original equipment.

Call your local Acura dealer and ask. OEM pads are the best to use on
your car anyway. There is no "equivalent".

Signature

Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Reply to this Message