Removal & Installation of the Rear Brake Rotors in a 2003 Acura TL

Acura, a division of Honda Motor Company, introduced the TL in the United States in 1997. The 2003 Acura TL was available in four different sub-models, the 3.2 TL, the 3.2 TL with navigation system, the Type S, and the Type S with navigation system. The 3.2 TL sub-models were both equipped with a 3.2-liter, 225-horsepower V-6 known as the UA4. The Type S sub-models were both equipped with a more powerful 3.2-liter 260-horsepower V-6 known as the UA5. The rear brakes on the 2003 TL are disc brakes, which incorporate pads, rotors, and calipers.

Instructions

1

Park the Acura on a level surface. Raise the hood of the TL and locate the brake fluid reservoir on the driver's side of the engine compartment, near the firewall. Visually inspect the brake fluid level. If you have not added brake fluid to the vehicle then your brake fluid should be slightly lower than the "Full" mark. Use a turkey baster or small bottle siphon to remove the brake fluid, so that it is about 1/4-inch below the "Full" mark on the reservoir. Removing the brake fluid will ensure that you do not spill fluid while retracting the caliper pistons.

2

Loosen, but do not remove, the rear wheel lug nuts, using a tire iron. Raise the rear of the TL with the floor jack. Place jack stands beneath both rear lower suspension arms. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands and gyrate the vehicle slightly to test the stability. The farther apart you place your jack stands, the lower your center of gravity and greater the balance of the car will be. Remove the rear lug nuts completely, then remove the rear wheels. Work on one side of the car at a time, so you will always have a complete brake assembly as a visual reference.

3

Remove the caliper mounting bolts from the rear of the caliper, using a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket. Pull the caliper up and off of the brake assembly, using a small pry bar. Hold the caliper in one hand, and remove one of the old brake pads from the caliper bracket. Set the old pad against the caliper piston on the rear inside of the caliper. Wrap a 7-inch C-clamp around the back of the caliper and the front of the old pad. Turn the C-clamp inward to compress the caliper piston, until it is flush with the caliper body.

4

Hang the caliper onto the rear strut spring, using a wire coat hanger or a metal S-shaped hook. Don't let the caliper hang by the brake hose. Remove the caliper bracket mounting bolts from behind the rotor, using a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket. Remove the caliper bracket from the remaining brake assembly and set the bracket out of your way. Remove the rotor retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the rotor completely. If necessary, thread two 8-by-1.25 mm bolts into the screw holes to force the rotor off the hub.

5

Coat the new rotor thoroughly with aerosol brake cleaner spray, to remove the factory anti-rust coating. Install the new brake rotor straight onto the rear hub assembly, being careful not to go askew and possibly damage the emergency brake components. Install the caliper bracket immediately after you get the rotor on. Install the rotor retaining screws and tighten them. Tighten the caliper bracket bolts to 28-foot-pounds, using a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and socket. Respray the brake rotor with more cleaner to ensure that you remove the oil from your fingers.

6

Install new brake pads on the front and rear of the rotor, in their slots on the caliper bracket, making sure the inner pad has its wear indicator facing downward. Lightly lubricate the shim plates on the outsides of the brake pads with caliper grease. This grease will help eliminate squealing that is common with new brake products during the break-in period. Unhook the caliper from the wire hanger or hook, and slide the caliper over the brake pads and rotor assembly.

7

Remove the caliper slide tubes and rubber boots from the rear of the caliper. Simply pull the slide tubes out with your hand. Thoroughly lubricate the metal slides with caliper grease, then reinstall the slide tubes and boots. Install the caliper bolts and torque the bolts to 41-foot-pounds of torque, using a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and socket.

8

Repeat steps 3 through 7 to complete the rotor replacement on the second side of the vehicle.

9

Reinstall the rear wheels on the TL, and snug the wheel lug nuts. Raise the vehicle off of the jack stands using your jack, then remove the jack stands. Lower the Acura to the ground and remove your jack. Immediately tighten the wheel lug nuts to 80-foot-pounds of torque, using a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and socket. Enter the Acura and pump the brake pedal several times, until the brake pedal becomes stiff and resistant. Perform the pedal pumping procedure directly after you torque the wheels in place.