[D MDXer]

Have you experienced rear brake noise on a cold start? After a cold start, if I slowly brake it for a stop sign or slow down, I could feel like the ABS started to work or there is a squakie noise from the rear end. It eventually went off after it was warmed up. I thought it was the THUD or gas tank, and it did not sound the same.

I asked my dealer, they told me it is known and normal since MDX is heavier (than aregular vehicle). The dealer said it is not a THUD, even I printed your TSB and showed to them.

thanks,

D MDXer, 2001 Mesa Beige MDX w/Touring Package

p.s. I searched the keyword "brake" in the database, and did not find a relative post

 

[Loose Cannon]

Same issue, I just turn up Radio. My dealer is useless!

 

[DBUFF]

Yes- have same annoying problem. Dealer says no big deal - but to me anything with brakes IS A BIG DEAL. They should not be clunking - it sounds likes something is loose in right rear brake. Unfortunealty,No solution.

 

[teamTMS]

I've noticed the "click click" noise and sometimes a "grind" noise in my brakes when the car first starts out. Then the sound goes away after a few minutes of driving.

My guess is that the brake pads are damp and the calipers have the pad sprung all the way back (away from the disc) that the sound we hear is the caliper hydrolically pushing against the spring (or whatever releases the calipers) and the damp pads hitting the disc. I think the "click click" is the spring and the "grind" is the damp brake pads.

Any other ideas? My dealer said it is just "cold brakes".

 

[DBUFF]

cold brakes?!?

Thats a good one. Havent heard that before.
Just what in the heck are "cold brakes"?
Are brakes supposed to clunk?

That is response drivel we get from these people who cant figure out how to fix something. My dealer "lubricated" brakes and they felt then like there was some slippage when first braking . In no time lubricant wore off and back to same problem of clicking / clunking at first braking.
I invite anyone else to note noticed this? Found any solution?
Maybe this is ABS calibrating? Just concerned that it maybe
safety issue.....

 

[mdxrules]

I have the same problem in my 12 day old 2002 MDX and it is annoying, but learned that it is normal and not to worry. I can't stand the noise but I am learning to ignore it. If you happen to find out something that fixes it let me know and if I find something out I'll let you know. Good Luck!

-MDXRULES

 

[lsbuffs]

This is ridiculous. I have this problem on my 2001 MDX and when I mention it to the dealer, they look at me like I'm from Mars. I mean c'mon, I know they must hear the same complaint from customers all the time, so not sure why they don't acknowledge the issue. It's embarrasing to have my luxury SUV making this god-awful noise in my son's daycare parking lot...I truly have to look around to make sure there's not any kids nearby as it scares them.

It doesn't sound as if anyone has come across an acknowledgement of the problem by the dealers, let alone a solution?!

 

[mesalum]

That's the oldest trick in the book. If you play stupid you don't have to do any work.

 

[hawgplt56]

We've had the same clunking noise. The dealer in Tucson says it is due to the smaller disk brakes in the rear. They have a small shift when you go from reverse to forward as the move to the other stop...hence the clunking. They said the main fix would be to go to bigger brakes, but then you'll give up MPG.
Bottom Line, have to live with it. Still don't like this feature from a $40K vehicle.

 

[D MDXer]

Just confirmed it today with my dealer "it is normal". He said I am lucky that some people got it really worse (than what I had experienced). He said once the system is warm up and expanded, it would be quiet. At least they are aware of the issue and know what I was talking about.

(I took it for a large spot of muffler rust.)

 

[lsbuffs]

Thanks hawgplt56. That's the first real explanation I've heard on this issue. I guess I should have stayed in Tucson, where I originally bought my MDX (Beaudry Acura) as they seem to at least have some clue.

Curious as to why this problem seems to get worse over time, and is more of an issue for some than others? I assume that all MDX come with the same smaller size rear disks, so there must be something that causes this problem to be more pronounced in some vehicles. If there is a cause, I'd assume there could be a solution. It sounds like Acura is fully aware of the problem and has taken the position that this is normal, and nobody is really pushing them on this.

 

[DaleB]

the same smaller size rear disks

I apologize for sometimes missing the obvious, but what is meant by 'smaller disks' at the rear?
Looking at the MDX specs, the diameter of the rears are slightly larger than the front. Should they be even larger? Or maybe it's width?

 

[TheWorm]

FWIW, rears are ~.44" thick, and fronts are ~1.1" thick.

I'm still trying to figure out this comment:

They said the main fix would be to go to bigger brakes, but then you'll give up MPG.

BTW I vaguely remember something about "floating calipers" being the cause (and the noise is normal given the design). I don't have a clue how floating calipers work.

The floating calipers would seem to correspond to hawgplt56's dealer comment re: moving from stop-to-stop. Then again, this is the same dealer who made the "bigger brakes = worse MPG" comment

 

[Pauls MDX]

Rear brake noise?

I've started to notice this myself especially when I roll the drivers side window down. it's odd that once the vehicle warms up it goes away. It almost sounds like a shield on the exhaust rattle. It's a very minor detail, that on a car enthuist would notice. Today I drove my wife's 2000 nissan maxima se and was again amazed at how quiet a japan built car drives. Almost disappointed, thinking my MDX should be quieter drive especially with spending $20k more. I hate to say it but it seems as if the quality control is much better when a vehicle comes out of japan as opposed to canada. I know the parts are foreign but something is different with the assembly line or the quality checks in japan are much better. The maxima doesn't have a drop of a noise and the power difference was amazing. The maxima only has 227 hp but seems like much more, and the rpms don't climb nearly as fast as the MDX.

If anyone finds a fix for the rear brake noise or exhaust shield rattle please post so we all can try to fix.

 

[DaleB]

It could very well be expansion as the exhaust warms up.
227 hp in a lighter vehicle, would certainly feel like a lot of power, it is.
Plus, probably higher ratios in the lower gears would account for the rpms not climbing as fast for a similar amount of throttle input.