Monotaur

First of all, I'm not sure if this should be in the general Maxima discussions since this might apply to any Maxima, or in here since this is on a 6th gen... I'll let the mods decide I guess.

Anyway, my question is about my brake pads. I replaced my OEM pads with Hawk ceramic brake pads:

http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/brake...e+Ceramic+Pads

I know that these pads need to 'warm up' in the morning before they become 100% effective (ie, one stopping cycle should heat them appropriately), and after that they have a very temperature-stable and excellent coefficient but lately mine have started to make a strange noise when stopping (even after the 'warm up' stop out of the drive way).

The noise sounds like a deep rubbing/slipping sound when the brakes are applied and the car shudders very slightly while braking sometimes but if I engage the brakes harder then the braking is more smooth and no funny noises. This rubbing/slipping sound reminds me a little of the sound my OEM pads would make when they were wet. Also, sometimes they'll squeal loudly when braking (but not generally, and especially not when they were new).

I guess it's mostly been happening since the weather got cooler. So, I was wondering, is it time for news pads or is there something up with the braking system perhaps? I don't have any diagnostic lights, but would this indicate that the calipers aren't engaging enough or something like that? BTW, I think I replaced the OEMs with these pads around 20K miles ago (summer of 2006, I believe). Also, I changed my OEM rotors out at the same time for some of the RTP group deal rotors (regular, not slotted or x-drilled), and haven't noticed any warping since. I also made sure to follow the specified break in procedure. Could it be that the pads are glazed?

Thanks!