I bought Axxis brake pad for my car last week and installed them this past weekend. They feel much better than my previous pads (but my old pads were kind of worn). The axxis pads came with the compound to put on the back of the shims to prevent squeaking, and it works. Everyone I know talks about how there pads squeak, if you use the compound they won't. I've very happy with them and glad I got them for $25 shipped (front only, plus I received them in one day.

Great price, Got them here:
http://www.forparts.com

 

I just got a set of Stainless steel lines that I'm waiting to put on. I wanted to change the brake pads at the same time for a good price. $25 for Axxis pads seems like a really good price. I was wanting for my pads to wear down some, but the way I drive it'll be awhile.

 

These are NOT true Axxis Metalmaster pads. They are a 'cheaper' version called Metal-LUX. Part numbers and prices are listed below:

Axxis Front Brake Pads for 89 to 99 Maximas:
Deluxe Plus: 22-430-01 $39
Metalmaster: 23-430-01 $47 (Recommended)
Metal-LUX: 24-430-01 $26
Super-LUX: 25-430-01 $23
Super-X: 27-430-01 $21
Metal-X: 28-430-01 $22

These prices are from carparts.com, so $25 isn't that great of a deal, unless you thought you got Metalmasters.

Back when carparts.com had the 33% off coupon, I got a set of Metalmasters for around $32 which is about unbeatable...

A description of each pad type as follows:

Axxis Pad Types

Autospecialty (i.e. Axxis) brands include Super-Lux, Metal-Lux, Super-X, and Metal-X. Metal-Lux is our premium quality semi-metallic pad featuring an asbestos free formula.

- If you specialize in Mercedes, Jaguar, BMW, Saab or Volvo, we offer the industry leading Axxis brake pads, in Metal Master semi-met, or Deluxe Plus... both asbestos free materials. Axxis Metal Master and Axxis Deluxe Plus are the leading brands of pads for upscale European and Japanese sports sedans.

Metal Master pads are designed for applications requiring the highest performance from a semi-metallic pad.

Deluxe Plus is formulated from the latest, proven asbestos-free organic materials, for those applications specifically requiring an NAO formula. It is recognized for maintaining low fade and squeal, with minimal brake dust.

- Metal-Lux and Super-Lux Autospecialty brands are specially formulated pads of the highest quality:

Metal-Lux Premium Quality Semi-Metallic brake pads feature a proven asbestos-free formula. Super-Lux is our premium quality, organic non-asbestos formula pad. Super-Lux Premium Quality Organic Pads feature a proven asbestos-free formula. Both Metal-Lux and Super-Lux brand materials meet or exceed OE specification, and include shims where necessary.

- Metal-X and Super-X are priced competitively against standard replacement grades, and yet offer dramatically improved stopping power for both import and domestic vehicles.

Reference: http://www.autospecialty.com/nonflash/friction/911.htm

I do not know what the exact difference is between the Metalmasters and the Metal-LUX pads. I can only guess that the Metalmasters are made with better stuff, but I have no proof of that. The Metalmasters have a good reputation most anywhere among enthusiasts while the Metal-LUX are obviously a cheaper alternative made by Axxis. "got rice?", who posts here, specs the Metal-Lux pads as well.

Cost-cutting? I don't know, but suspect that's the difference.

There's more to this, but that's enough for now.

 

I thought that they didn't make the metalmasters for the fourth gens though?
Aren't they for third gen cars?

 

secret that 4th and 3rd gen front brakes are interchangeable. The calipers are the same, but the pads are "technically" different.

What I mentioned above as stuff I didn't want to get into extensively...Oh well, that makes you a good observer.



Anyway, "kaleb" has a 93 Maxima and runs OEM 4th gen pads in his Max. I myself have examined 3rd and 4th gen pads (easy since I have each Max) and they are identical. The stated difference between them is that the actual pad is about 1mm thicker on 4th gens. Hard to tell, but I guess that's true.

"Technically", 4th gen Maxes run "653 series" pads. Well, Axxis does not make a "653 series" pad in Metalmasters (if they did, the part number would be 23-653-01). Rather, they make them in the Metal-LUX brand, which is part number 24-653-01.

Furthermore, Porterfield (which is highly regarded here as a good brake pad, albeit dusty as heck), specs the 430 series pads for all 89 to 99 Maximas (their part number is AP430), which started me "thinking" about this stuff in the first place a few months back.

Conincidentally, this weekend I will be putting the 430 series Metalmasters in the 99, so I will be able to give a first hand account of how it fits, etc. Then, I will be doing a write-up in the coming month which covers my findings.....

Good observations....