Brake Pad Recommendations??
11-24-2005, 08:34 PM
#1
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Brake Pad Recommendations??
I could use some advive from the folks who know.
Still running the stock brake setup... yeah I'd like bigger brakes like everyone else but they are doing what I need them to do.
I've been running the EBC Greenstuff pads front and rear... I like them for their good initial bite and their feel... but they dust like crazy. If that's what I have to live with for the way the brakes feel now, then so be it.
Can anyone recommend a pad that is available for front and rear that has the qualities of the EBC Greenstuffs that will noticably dust less and not tear up the new rotors that I need any more than the EBCs?
I'm sure Matt or Jeff can chime in.
Still running the stock brake setup... yeah I'd like bigger brakes like everyone else but they are doing what I need them to do.
I've been running the EBC Greenstuff pads front and rear... I like them for their good initial bite and their feel... but they dust like crazy. If that's what I have to live with for the way the brakes feel now, then so be it.
Can anyone recommend a pad that is available for front and rear that has the qualities of the EBC Greenstuffs that will noticably dust less and not tear up the new rotors that I need any more than the EBCs?
I'm sure Matt or Jeff can chime in.
11-24-2005, 10:08 PM
#2
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Are you sticking with Stock rotors? If you are, it might be time to upgrade to the BBK... or even a set of Brembo blanks. The metal that Nissan uses for the stock rotors is soft as you have found out, and most brake pads out today will destroy them.
11-25-2005, 05:51 AM
#3
Wagner Thermoquiet
Raybestos Quiet Stop
Bendix IQ.
those are all pretty low-dust pads and are easy on rotors. for street driving, they are just fine (it's what I use on all my street-only cars and on customer cars that come in for regular service).
If you want something a bit more aggressive, then look at the Axxis MetalMaster.
stay away from the ultimates unless you like buying new rotors every few months.. they're not a street pad. they're a track pad.
Raybestos Quiet Stop
Bendix IQ.
those are all pretty low-dust pads and are easy on rotors. for street driving, they are just fine (it's what I use on all my street-only cars and on customer cars that come in for regular service).
If you want something a bit more aggressive, then look at the Axxis MetalMaster.
stay away from the ultimates unless you like buying new rotors every few months.. they're not a street pad. they're a track pad.
yup yup
11-25-2005, 04:33 PM
#11
Originally Posted by Matt93SE
Wagner Thermoquiet
Raybestos Quiet Stop
Bendix IQ.
Raybestos Quiet Stop
Bendix IQ.
11-25-2005, 11:23 PM
#12
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Originally Posted by Grace_Imports
I Stay away from "discounted" store brands with a lifetime warranty.
11-25-2005, 11:31 PM
#13
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Originally Posted by kcidmil
... or even a set of Brembo blanks. The metal that Nissan uses for the stock rotors is soft as you have found out, and most brake pads out today will destroy them.
11-26-2005, 05:17 AM
#15
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Originally Posted by JC93SE
Was looking at the Brembo rotors today online. The rears had their last turn last time... the fronts were new (AutoZone or Advance sourced)... haven't mic'd them yet to see how the EBCs treated them. Got 60K on the front pads so far.
Luckily I caught it before any damage was done to the rotor.
11-26-2005, 08:23 AM
#16
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Originally Posted by kcidmil
I have a set of Brembo slots... definitely not for your average daily driver.
11-26-2005, 09:15 AM
#17
Yup, I had the same problem w/ EBC greenstuff pads...too much dust, short life, didn't like too much heat - the max is too heavy for those pads.
As far as Axxis pads go metal masters are pretty good. I have them on my CRX (street beater/auto-x *****), and they do pretty well, they just don't stop worth a d@mn untill they get some heat in them, worse in winter. Maybe crx is too light...max is heavier, maybe better street pads for a max.
The MM's on the crx were hating life when i had them on the track though. Only 3 hot laps on a pretty short course and they were SMOKING when i pulled back onto grid! It's odd about the Ultimate's though Matt, I've heard alot of racers and well-respected perf. guys/shops say that they were pretty good on the street, and were also a better track pad, basicly all around better.
I think any 'more aggressive than stock' pad will be hard(er) on rotors, my MM's are.
As far as Axxis pads go metal masters are pretty good. I have them on my CRX (street beater/auto-x *****), and they do pretty well, they just don't stop worth a d@mn untill they get some heat in them, worse in winter. Maybe crx is too light...max is heavier, maybe better street pads for a max.
The MM's on the crx were hating life when i had them on the track though. Only 3 hot laps on a pretty short course and they were SMOKING when i pulled back onto grid! It's odd about the Ultimate's though Matt, I've heard alot of racers and well-respected perf. guys/shops say that they were pretty good on the street, and were also a better track pad, basicly all around better.
I think any 'more aggressive than stock' pad will be hard(er) on rotors, my MM's are.
11-26-2005, 09:35 AM
#19
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Originally Posted by JC93SE
I was wondering about slotted rotors on the street. I'm imagine they function well, but was wondering how quickly they eat pads. I was using Google and saw someone say that it was only about a 10% difference in pad life.
Pad life is... ok I guess. Though it did eat through Napa cheapies in less than a year of driving time.
11-26-2005, 10:02 AM
#20
Originally Posted by Matt93SE
Wagner Thermoquiet
Raybestos Quiet Stop
Bendix IQ.
those are all pretty low-dust pads and are easy on rotors. for street driving, they are just fine (it's what I use on all my street-only cars and on customer cars that come in for regular service).
If you want something a bit more aggressive, then look at the Axxis MetalMaster.
stay away from the ultimates unless you like buying new rotors every few months.. they're not a street pad. they're a track pad.
Raybestos Quiet Stop
Bendix IQ.
those are all pretty low-dust pads and are easy on rotors. for street driving, they are just fine (it's what I use on all my street-only cars and on customer cars that come in for regular service).
If you want something a bit more aggressive, then look at the Axxis MetalMaster.
stay away from the ultimates unless you like buying new rotors every few months.. they're not a street pad. they're a track pad.
I Disagreed on that
I have been using ultimate for the last 4 years and my current one I installed last year of Novermber, my rotor is still going strong.
And I drive 200-400 miles per day
11-26-2005, 11:45 AM
#21
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Originally Posted by Dillbag
Yup, I had the same problem w/ EBC greenstuff pads...too much dust, short life, didn't like too much heat - the max is too heavy for those pads.
Again, if there's something that bites as well cold, hangs at least as well as the Greens, doesn't eat rotors, AND doesn't dust as bad please tell me.
11-26-2005, 12:05 PM
#22
What about those ceramic pads that are on the market? Don't they claim to be "heavy-duty" and have low dust? I think napa and all the rest have their own offering.
Have you thought about EBC red's? Or just different colored wheels to hide the dust?
Have you thought about EBC red's? Or just different colored wheels to hide the dust?
11-26-2005, 05:30 PM
#23
EBC reds are not for street driving. They are made for the track and need to be "warmed" up before they will grip....Has anyone tried Akebono Pro-Act ceramics??? I just ordered a set for my Acura..
11-29-2005, 11:38 PM
#26
Dudes! I was just fooling around on the Hawk brakes website, and was stoked to see that they make the HPS (high perf. street) pads for the the front and rear for almost all of the 3rd gen maximas! And get this, Pep Boys is a distributor for their street pads!
And if this is old news to you guys, then fooey. I haven't been messing with the max for like 4 years now, so i just now started looking for goodies for it again.
And if this is old news to you guys, then fooey. I haven't been messing with the max for like 4 years now, so i just now started looking for goodies for it again.
11-29-2005, 11:46 PM
#27
When i do the [MattBlehm 300z front big brake kit] and the [Jeff rear bracket/300z rear rotor kit] for my car, i think i'm going to use the Hawk HPS pads all the way around; since they have an application for both model car's calipers i will have on there, and it will be the same compund both front and rear.
11-30-2005, 06:54 AM
#28
Hawk HPS are basically equivalent to the Axxis MM for performance, but dust MUCH MUCH worse.
Axxis MM are fine on the street, but they need at least 1-2 stops on them- even during warm days- in order to stop worth a damn. long life and easy on rotors, but they have quite a bit of dust and often squeal like a school bus. They simply aren't necessary for a street-only car when a cheaper, quieter, less dusty longer wearing pad is available right down the street at your FLAPS.
the Axxis Ultimate are TRACK ONLY pads. I've seen them eat up many sets of rotors in just a few months when driven only on the street at low temps. for you college kids hauling *** between school, job, and home, with little 10 min commutes between each one, these aren't the pads for you..
Automax, I suggest you do a bit more looking and consider your driving styles before you recommend them for street pads. I've replaced lots of rotors for customers that were duped into buying these pads for street only.
They SAY they are acceptable on the street, but have "increased rotor wear." That increase shortens the life of rotors from years to months.
they're simply too aggressive in abrasive friction at low temps for the street.
Axxis MM are fine on the street, but they need at least 1-2 stops on them- even during warm days- in order to stop worth a damn. long life and easy on rotors, but they have quite a bit of dust and often squeal like a school bus. They simply aren't necessary for a street-only car when a cheaper, quieter, less dusty longer wearing pad is available right down the street at your FLAPS.
the Axxis Ultimate are TRACK ONLY pads. I've seen them eat up many sets of rotors in just a few months when driven only on the street at low temps. for you college kids hauling *** between school, job, and home, with little 10 min commutes between each one, these aren't the pads for you..
Automax, I suggest you do a bit more looking and consider your driving styles before you recommend them for street pads. I've replaced lots of rotors for customers that were duped into buying these pads for street only.
They SAY they are acceptable on the street, but have "increased rotor wear." That increase shortens the life of rotors from years to months.
they're simply too aggressive in abrasive friction at low temps for the street.
11-30-2005, 07:30 AM
#29
Originally Posted by Matt93SE
the Axxis Ultimate are TRACK ONLY pads. I've seen them eat up many sets of rotors in just a few months when driven only on the street at low temps. for you college kids hauling *** between school, job, and home, with little 10 min commutes between each one, these aren't the pads for you..
11-30-2005, 01:17 PM
#31
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Originally Posted by JC93SE
I've been running the EBC Greenstuff pads front and rear... I like them for their good initial bite and their feel... but they dust like crazy. If that's what I have to live with for the way the brakes feel now, then so be it.
Can anyone recommend a pad that is available for front and rear that has the qualities of the EBC Greenstuffs that will noticably dust less and not tear up the new rotors that I need any more than the EBCs?
Can anyone recommend a pad that is available for front and rear that has the qualities of the EBC Greenstuffs that will noticably dust less and not tear up the new rotors that I need any more than the EBCs?
My experience with the EBC Greens is:
*60K on the front pads on new "FLAPS" rotors. Some visable wear, but not sure how much yet- have to measure (the rear pads have worn more quickly, but I think I may have contaminated them when I replaced calipers- never felt right, blamed calipers- I cleaned rotors and pads when I replaced struts recently and things miraculously improved to better than ever)
*Nice bite cold, nice feel always. I'm usually not heavy on the brakes, but I want a margin of error, and I want them to be there when I need them unexpectedly.
*Dusty. Can't get through a tank of gas without losing the sparkle of the wheels. I know all pads dust somewhat- all I have to compare to is whatever was on the car when I bought it (which lasted 70-75K)
I like the bite, and feel; dislike the dust. Maybe the EBCs have been reformulated since I put the fronts on 3+ years ago and dust less. I'd prefer not to have to heat the pads up from cold, unless they are still pretty (or really) good cold. And, no reason to wear out prematurely the Brembo rotors (or whatever) I'll be popping for.
There have been a few suggestions here for and againt a few, and I'll be researching them and emailing manufacturers where appropriate. EBC's website is somewhat less clear than it used to be ("Although a race formulation, Yellowstuff can be used on street and has good brake effect from cold") although the Greens still seem the way to go.
So, if you know what has similar (or better) braking as mentioned above and less dust (or I suppose better braking and same dust) than the EBC Greens, let me know. If you know what NOT to get in my case... that will help me (and others) too. I'm up to-like- 9 other brands at this point.
11-30-2005, 06:38 PM
#33
Either Wilwood Q series (rebadged Raybestos Quiet Stop), or Ferodo DS2500.
neither of which you can buy to fit the stock calipers.
(remember, I'm not running stockers.
)
http://blehmco.com/pics/car/brakes/s...s/100_0689.JPG
For all of my street cars and auto X stuff, I use one of the ones I listed at the top of this thread..
I don't even touch Axxis MM or Ultimate anymore. EBC is teh suck and I stay away from them at all costs.. I've had a bad experience with Hawk pads so I stay away from them, but they're fine as long as you don't run the HP+ or Black/Blue compounds on the street.
for anything but flat out track use, any of the $35 pads I listed in my first post will do everyone just fine for street driving and usually even agressive mountain drives.
neither of which you can buy to fit the stock calipers.
(remember, I'm not running stockers.
)http://blehmco.com/pics/car/brakes/s...s/100_0689.JPG
For all of my street cars and auto X stuff, I use one of the ones I listed at the top of this thread..
I don't even touch Axxis MM or Ultimate anymore. EBC is teh suck and I stay away from them at all costs.. I've had a bad experience with Hawk pads so I stay away from them, but they're fine as long as you don't run the HP+ or Black/Blue compounds on the street.
for anything but flat out track use, any of the $35 pads I listed in my first post will do everyone just fine for street driving and usually even agressive mountain drives.
11-30-2005, 06:54 PM
#34
Originally Posted by Matt93SE
for anything but flat out track use, any of the $35 pads I listed in my first post will do everyone just fine for street driving and usually even agressive mountain drives.
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