How to Repair the Front Brakes in a 2000 Acura TI

The Acura TL was first released in the 1996 model year and became the first Acura to bear an alphanumeric name, which all current Acuras have. The 2000 Acura TL came fitted with front, ventilated disc brakes with semi-metallic brake pads. Over time, the brake pads and rotors may become worn out and need to be replaced. When the pads begin wearing out, a small tab that's connected to the inboard brake pad contacts the rotor, creating a high-pitched squeal. If the brake pads are not repaired in a timely manner, more brake damage may occur.

Instructions

1

Open the TL's hood and remove the lid from the master cylinder reservoir, the plastic container near the rear driver's side of the engine compartment. Siphon out about half of the fluid, using the turkey baster. Transfer this fluid to a small container to refill the master cylinder.

2

Loosen the TL's front lug nuts, using a ratchet and socket.

3

Raise the front of the vehicle, using the floor jack, and place the jack stands beneath it to secure the vehicle. Position these stand under a secure, non-mechanical part of the vehicle, such as the sub-frame. Lower the TL so the weight of the vehicle is supported by only the jack stands.

4

Remove the front lug nuts and pull the front wheels from the vehicle. Place the lug nuts in a secure location, away from your work.

5

Loosen and remove the upper and lower caliper bolts, on the rear of the caliper, using the ratchet and socket. Pull the caliper up and off of the brake assembly. Support the caliper by connecting it to a suspension component, with the bungee strap.

6

Grab the inner and outer brake pads and pull them from the caliper bracket, the metal component the caliper bolts to.

7

Loosen and remove the two bolts on the rear of the caliper bracket, using the ratchet and socket. Pull the caliper bracket up and away from the brake assembly.

8

Loosen and remove the retaining screws holding the brake rotor, using a screwdriver. Tap the screw heads lightly with the hammer if they do not loosen easily. Pull the rotor toward you and off the vehicle.

9

Place the new rotor on the TL in the same fashion the old one was positioned and tighten the retaining screws using the Phillips screwdriver.

10

Remove the two caliper slide pins, the components the caliper bolts screw into, from the caliper bracket. Apply a light coat of caliper grease to the pins and press them back into the caliper bracket.

11

Apply a thin coat of an anti-seize chemical to the thin metal clips that hold the brake pads on the caliper bracket. This allows smooth movement of the pads.

12

Place the 8-inch C-clamp over the brake caliper. Position the fixed part of the clamp so it contacts the rear of the caliper, and the line the screw portion up with the caliper piston, the cylinder inside the caliper. Place the old inner brake pad between the screw part of the C-clamp and the piston, to prevent damage. Tighten the C-clamp until the piston fully presses into the caliper.

13

Place the caliper bracket over the rotor and tighten its two bolts to 41 foot-pounds, using the torque wrench and socket. Place the new brake pads into the caliper bracket. Remove the caliper from the bungee strap and place the caliper over the new brake pads, tighten the upper and lower caliper bolts to 17 foot-pounds using a torque wrench and a socket.

14

Repeat steps 5 through 13 for the brakes on the other side of the Acura TL.

15

Place the front wheels on the vehicle and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

16

Raise the TL, using the floor jack, and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

17

Tighten the lug nuts, in a star-pattern, to 80 foot-pounds, using the torque wrench and a socket.

18

Pump the brakes by pressing and releasing the brake pedal until it feels firm. Check the brake fluid level by comparing it to the "Max" and "Min" lines on the side of the master cylinder reservoir. Fill the reservoir to the "Max" line, using the fluid stored in the small container and close the TL's hood. Dispose of any remaining fluid properly. Many auto parts stores will dispose of old fluids free of charge.