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Brake pulsation. Do I need new rotors? Bed-In?
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hitesthonda
New User
Jul 13, 2013, 10:21 AM
Post #1 of 9
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Brake pulsation. Do I need new rotors? Bed-In?
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2004 Acura TSX, Automatic, 35K Miles
BACKGROUND
I was forced to go to the hateful, cheating, lying, robbing dealer due to the April 2013 ECM/PCM corroson recall; NHTSA Recall 13V-093.
While it was there I had them do NY state inspection. They said that there were bubbles in the brake fluis and I needed a Brake Fluid flush for $169. Although it probably wasn't necessary, I let them do this although my trusted local Honda/Acura specialist mechanic had done it a year before for $39.
When I got the car back, it was making an occasional rattle over rough pavement. I would also hear a loud squeal when I firts started driving the car and turned all the way left or right at low speed with my foot on the brake. The squeal went away after a few blocks but would come back after the car sat overnight. I brought it back to the dealer and even though these crooks told me that if they found anything they would have to charge me a $119 diagnosis fee, I went on a road test with the service supervisor. He heard the noise, put the car on the lift and told me that the rattle was from some some brake dust shield needed to be adjusted. He said the squeal was probably from rust forming on the rotors.
The squeal cintinued to get worse so I went to my trusty, local guy (Lake Town Motors in Amityvuille, NY). They checked everything out and also said the the squeal was from rust on the rotors and would go away after I braked a few times and would not cause any problems for the pads or brakes. They said the only way to get rid of it was to replace the rotors.
OK-Great!
PROBLEM
I used the car a few times and the squeal seemed to have gone away. I took 2 long trips and now when I brake hard coming downhill, I have a moderately bad pulsation in the brake pedal. This doesn't happen except in hard braking and may not always happen. This is something that never happened before. After doing some web research and talking to another experiences Honda/Acura mechanic, I have been told that I need to replace the rotors and pads.
QUESTIONS
Is replacing the rotors and pads a difficult job? I have an experienced guy with his own garage who is willing to do the job but am a little leary since it's the braking system.
Should I replace or reface the rotors? Most web sites I have found say to replace the rotors. They say turning/cutting them will only temporarily resolve the pulsation problem and it will return. I have also heard the opposite-That repalcing will only solve the problem temporarily.
Has anyone used the Duralast Gold CM (Part DGC787) and Duralast Rotors (Part 31275) from AutoZone? I have read mostly good things about these parts but some not-so-good.
Is it a must to bed-in the pads? (Do a web search for 'bed-in brake pads' if you don't know what this is. This seems to require 10 stops from 60mph down to 10mph and then a cooling period. Since I live in Manhattan, I don't know where I can do this.
Could the Acura dealer have done something while doing the State inspection or flushing the brakes to have caused either of these issues?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 13, 2013, 10:34 AM
Post #2 of 9
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Re: Brake pulsation. Do I need new rotors? Bed-In?
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Yes, it's a relatively easy job to replace the pads and rotors.
Yes, you are correct about it only being a temp fix to resurface when you already have a pulsation.
Yes, I have uses the Autozone parts and they are decent.
Just drive normally after they are replaced. Now, I mean normally for the average person. I suspect that because you already warped a set of rotors that you may be a bit aggressive with your braking style. None of that at first.
No, the dealer didn't cause this. The driver likely did.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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hitesthonda
New User
Jul 15, 2013, 8:30 PM
Post #4 of 9
(1922 views)
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Re: Brake pulsation. Do I need new rotors? Bed-In?
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Thanks Hammer. I appreciate your very helpful response. I will get the new rotors and pads this week.
Also very glad to know I don't have to bed-in the pads.
I will be more careful braking and be sure I don't keep my foot on the brakes at full stop after hard braking.
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hitesthonda
New User
Jul 15, 2013, 8:36 PM
Post #5 of 9
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Re: Brake pulsation. Do I need new rotors? Bed-In?
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Hey Discrete: They are clearly trained to sell you things you don't need and charge ridiculous markups. Once you are in, you are a captive audience.
Most people don't really have the time to run around with their car for 2nd opinions.
They make like if you don't do your repairs there or buy a new car once your warranty runs out, you will be hurtin' for certain.
fyi-They also over-filled the oil by .75 to 1 inch over dipstick max fill and then told me that it wouldn't cause any harm to my car.
Really! Google 'will overfill oil damage car' for more info.
Do you work for a dealer? Are you a fan of the dealer?
(This post was edited by hitesthonda on Jul 15, 2013, 8:37 PM)
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 15, 2013, 9:37 PM
Post #6 of 9
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Re: Brake pulsation. Do I need new rotors? Bed-In?
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Dealer salespeople are trained to sell cars. Dealer mechanics are trained to diagnose and repair cars and trucks. The dealer is going to use factory parts and factory trained technicians to repair vehicles. They have all the special tools and equipment to work on your make of vehicle, so you are going to pay more because it costs the dealership a lot of money to support that kind of environment.
You don't have to buy anything from them. You have the right to get a second opinion. You have the right to look for a better price. You were just too lazy to do that and now your bitching about it and telling everyone that dealership techs are a bunch of con artists.
I know a lot of honest people that work at dealerships. People just like you and me trying to makes ends meet. I worked at two dealerships and neither of them trained me to ripped people off. You have absolutely no clue unless you walk in their shoes.
FYI: 3/4 to 1 inch over the max mark won't damage your engine.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jul 15, 2013, 9:43 PM)
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hitesthonda
New User
Jul 16, 2013, 5:31 AM
Post #8 of 9
(1886 views)
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Re: Brake pulsation. Do I need new rotors? Bed-In?
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Thanks Hammer; Point taken. I will do as you suggest and try to avoid hard braking. Thanks.
What I was referring to is the result of my web research that suggests that the cause of the pulsation is hard braking followed by a complete stop with your foot on the brake causing a pad imprint on the rotor commonly diagnosed as warped rotors.
Links deleted ......... not allowed
Do you have any suggestions as to the best rotors and pads to get for a 2004 Acura TSX? (Something that might be better than the AutoZone)
Do you feel that slotted or drilled rotors are better?
Does my pulsation problem suggest that I need only front pads/rotors or rear too?
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jul 16, 2013, 7:35 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 16, 2013, 7:40 AM
Post #9 of 9
(1871 views)
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Re: Brake pulsation. Do I need new rotors? Bed-In?
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First off, links are not allowed. Read the FORUM RULES.
Second, I don't care what some unqualified fool writes in a blog. I've been doing this for over 50 years. I guarantee I can warp your rotors instantly by making a hard sudden stop from highway speed and then hitting a puddle. Extreme heat and rapid cooling is what warps rotors and yes, they can be warped.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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