Hi Guys,
98 I30. Car has 132K on the clock. I have had the car 3 years. Going thru the previous owner records I can't find any brake service records. I am getting a faint grinding noise when I stop at lights, so I believe I am due for some new pads. I can't see the pads very well thru the wheel, so I will probably pull the wheel off to get a better look. I would like some recommendations on pads- semi metallic, ceramic, best brands? Thanks all.

 

I am a fan of ceramic pads myself. If you are going through the trouble to replace the pads, I would do the brake rotors as well.

 

Now that I have my 71"s on, I am sorry I got the cheap Napa semimetalics. They dust like crazy. Get ceramic or high end semimetalics, as i think they dust less.

 

Thanks for the reply. This site is the best. I was told ceramic is best, so I am leaning that way. Do you suggest having the rotors turned on or off the car?

 

Id suggest replacing the rotors. It will cost a few $$ more but you will have brand new instead.

 

Turning rotors removes metal and increases chances of warping. With the price of turning rotors, you can get new rotors for not much less.

 

Excellent idea. Have any recommendations on brands and where to go?

 

I have akebonos on the front and a pair of autozone pads on the rear (couldn't return) but they both don't squeal or squeak. I definatley reccomended new rotors. They're really not that expensive.

 

Also try doing the fronts yourself. It's actually pretty easy (as long as your calipers aren't frozen like mine were.)

 

If the car needs brakes, the Akebonos pads are excellent. Another excellent pad is the Wagner Therom Quiet. You should replace the rotors and do a proper bedding in procedure for optimal performance and life.

Google brake pad bedding procedure for instructions.
FYI - there really is no such thing as a warped rotor, it's pad material transfer that causes brake judder.

 

If you want ceramic with less dust then try autozone's ceramic pads.

Front DG653

Rear DG540

They have a lifetime warranty. Being a well known customer I trade them in for new pads every 6 months with no questions asked.

The autozone duralast gold rotors are also high quality. With over 50,000 miles they are nearly as thick as new.

 

I perfer ceramic pads ... And if ur not seeing any records of brake service i would replace the rotors too. When my brakes were grinding it was the pads wearing very unevenly

 

I did my pads and rotors, I bought drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic pads installed myself good chance your caliper piston will freeze up there's a special tool you need for back calipers

 

I'm really impressed with the Powerstop Extreme pads which are a Hybrid formula of ceramic/carbon fiber and man these pads and their Xdrilled/slotted rotors really stop this My 5.5th Gen like crazy!!!!....Gotta upgrade my 4th Gen and 3rd Gen brakes now

 

Thank you to everyone for your responses. I am going with akebono ultra premium ceramic pads. I will use new Brembo rotors. I will clean them before I install them and check the run out on them just because I don't want any shimmy. I have done my own work for 25 years on Camry's I have owned. I really think this car puts a Camry to shame. It feels sturdier and tighter in the steering. I will be back for more input if I need help but I have done brakes before, but that was about 10 years ago.
Thanks all.

 

I use those Akebono pads on my Q45. I have had great results. I don't notice brake dust of any significance. They do a great job of stopping that monster behemoth. At 142,000 miles the rotors have never been turned. I have no a reason to turn the rotors because there is no vibration or grooving. The previous owner (though I've had it 4 years now) kept an eye on pad wear and would proactively replace worn pads before the rotors started taking a hit.

 

Removed duplicate post.