[tacky1]

Ok, I needed new pads up front anyway, I seen on another thread a guy fitted 2012 Honda Pilot Calipers and rotors, So I bought the Pilot 2012 Calipers from the breakers, Pilot was totaled with 8k miles on it, EBC rotors and Yellow pads and all new steel braided lines and Dot4 Pentosin Fluid.
3 1/2 hours later I was rolling again,
Pretty simple to do, I jacked the truck up on Axle Stands, Popped off the 4 wheels, Loosened the brake lines at the back of the 4 calipers and let the fluid drain out as I was changing out the front rotors and calipers,
Swapped out the lines, Poured in the new fluid and bolted them back up with the bleed screws open, Tightened the bleed screws when the fluid started to weep out, Then had my son pump the brakes and I bled them out, All nice and solid.

Popped the wheels back on and cruised the block just to get the brake pad bedding in started, Did a roughly 8/10 30 to 10 mph stops just to get the bedding started and they really feel good, Really nice bite, excellent feel and a nice firm pedal, Cant wait to get them bedded in to see the overall result.

I had Hawk Yellow ceramics in the Ridgeline and they were great brakes. The best of all the pads I had by far, I had also tried EBC green, yellow, Akebono and of course the terrible wooden stock pads which I threw out after the first 2000 miles,
The truck has just turned 78,000 miles and the Hawk Yellow are by far the best of the bunch,
I cant find Hawk Yellow ceramics to fit the 09/13 pilots, Shame..

Checked all the bushions and drive shaft boots as the lift kit is on the truck since brand new, Everything still looks like new, No probs in there, Joys of living in CA i suppose..
Also did a quick oil and filter change while I was in there, Washed out the air filter and truck is good to go..

Calipers: $100.00
Rotors and pads: $425.00
Brake Lines: $150.00
Fluid: $15.00
Caliper Paint: $7.00
Brake Cleaner: $5.00
Total: $700.00


Money well spent as it definitely is one of the Ridgelines weakest points, The brakes are just some of the worst I have ever used!!!

 

[feetdry]

I love those yellows and the groved and dimpled rotors and the best part is they don't come from china.

 

[ebrit003]

Bookmarked! - Nice write up.

 

[speedlever]

Nice write up!

Regarding your OEM brake comments, I disagree. The OEM brakes have been excellent in my experience. Good feel, low dust, and long lasting.

Kudos to you for all your testing. And your truck looks very clean underneath for a 6 year old truck.

 

[tacky1]

Thanks guys, Very happy with the upgrade.
I tow a 7x14 closed trailer a lot with ATVs and dirtbikes, This should make a huge difference in stopping the thing..

 

[tacky1]

Nice write up!

Regarding your OEM brake comments, I disagree. The OEM brakes have been excellent in my experience. Good feel, low dust, and long lasting.

Kudos to you for all your testing. And your truck looks very clean underneath for a 6 year old truck.

And there is the problem..
Long lasting and low dust, wooden pads that just don't work, They fade out really fast with any heavy use. I drive a lot in the city and tow trailer on the weekend, The pads just stop working when they get hot!!!

 

[MichiganSteve]

Nice setup tacky1! The only thing I didn't like about my Ridgeline was the brake pedal feel. So I put on some drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic pads. Just in the front so far. But it made a good improvement. I did the same to my Civic for the same reasons. I think Honda just makes their pads and rotors to last for a long time. The original rotors and pads on my Civic had 36,000 miles on them and looked like new. These new pads and rotors may not last as long as the oem parts but their performance is better and that's what matters to me. The ones I bought are made in china as are most pads and rotors but they are reasonably priced and if the time comes to replace them it won't be too expensive.

 

[speedlever]

And there is the problem..
Long lasting and low dust, wooden pads that just don't work, They fade out really fast with any heavy use. I drive a lot in the city and tow trailer on the weekend, The pads just stop working when they get hot!!!

Perhaps that is why our experience differs. I don't tow and put it to the heavy use that you do. In my normal driving, I am very pleased with the OEM brakes.

 

[RustyH]

Why did you replace the front calipers with ones from a Pilot. Are the pads for the Pilot bigger than the Ridgeline?

I've had EBC pads and drilled and slotted rotors for the past few years and have never had an issue with brake fade, either day to day driving or when towing my trailer. My rotors were cadmium plated though, SI I don't know if that would make a difference.

 

[tacky1]

Rusty. I replaced the rotors and calipers with pilot items. Look at the pics above. The pilot rotors are bigger and the Pilot calipers are huge compared to the ridgeline calipers and the pilot pads are bigger. A lot more contact area.

I don't understand why the Ridgeline has smaller brakes!!!!
It doesn't make sense!!!

The pilot caliper is on top

 

[tacky1]

I put 120 miles today on the truck. Down RTE1. Twisty and fast. Brakes are a huge improvement. Less foot pressure needed to slow down or stop. The truck stops way quicker. Really impressed. I honestly have to say it is an excellent upgrade and money well spent.

 

[Kootbiker]

Excellent rightup, I just replaced my front rotors and pads. I wish I saw your report before I did my brakes. Next time maybe, but I think if you aren't towing the standard brakes are just fine.

 

[amev30]

So the Pilot braking system is a straight bolt on swap? Are there clearance issues with stock 18" wheels that come on the 2014 Ridgeline Sport?

 

[tacky1]

So the Pilot braking system is a straight bolt on swap? Are there clearance issues with stock 18" wheels that come on the 2014 Ridgeline Sport?

I'm not sure, I believe they will bolt on as another Ridgeline owner did this conversion with stock wheels,

 

[tacky1]

Just an update, This is by far the best mod I have done, The brakes are just excellent, Why Honda didn't do this in the first place is beyond me!!!
The braking power has increased tenfold.
Only thing is the brakes will chirp in the dry or ABS kicks in on wet roads, I was soo used to stomping on the old crappy brakes..

 

[Carsmak]

Just wondering. Although more than a standard brake job, definable improvements make it worth while. Enjoy.

 

[Tony999]

Do I need to swap the caliper bracket too? Also what bout the back brakes?