ok, i've tried all the hi-performance pads posted about here. but i'll tap you guys' knowledge about run of the mill pepboys pads.

i'm sick of the grabby nature and obscene amounts of brake dust kicked up by all the axxis and porterfield pads i've used. i know they grab like crazy and help against fade and whatnot, but there's absolutely no modulation below 5 mph. i come to a light and it's like slow slow slow... STOP NOW. not a problem normally, but embarassing with some passengers.

anyhow, what's a good replacement non-oem pad? hawk? quietstop? raybestos? i want smooooooth. getting too old to be washing my wheels every week.

 

Hawk,now on my second set on my "00" Camaro SS drag car (runs low 11s on motor BTW) I love them and have been very happy with them. Im goin to try them on the Max when it needs brakes.

 

Hawk...1234566789

 

are ceramics available for hawk??

 

go with Hawk HPS.....smooth, good bite but not "grabby", and relatively low dust...

 

Bendix ceramic pads from American Auto parts are nice and you can replace them once for free.

 

Why don't you want OEM? OEM brakes were the only solution to qure squaking on my 99 Max.

 

My experience with Hawk is that they squeel like crazy. Everytime I tapped the brake son my old car it would squeel, and do so until I come to a complete spot.

 

i'm gonna have to go ahead and agree with you. OEM pads, IMO, provide sufficient stopping power with minimal brake dust and noise.
i'm just a little confused. you don't like the grabbyness. they're brakes, it's their job. if they're not as grabby, then i dont' think they're up to par.

 

I think he means that the brakes bite too hard given the amount of pedal movement. Some cars bite harder the more you press down on the pedal (normal), but some cars' brakes just bite hard with the smallest pedal movement (like a G35).

 

wasn't it the consensus back in 2001 that the oem pads were contributing to all the rotor warpage?

 

incorrect. bad rotors caused warpage. i'm on the iRotors for over a year now, well over 10k, on oem pads and i'm fine. i've seen people change pads on oem rotors and still get warped. hell, i totally forgot. i was on porterfields with OEM rotors and i got warpage. that's why i switched to the iRotors.

 

Just installed Hawk HPS pads and they have been quiet and smooth for the whole 20 miles I have on them (well sort of... if you want to know more go here ). Ive heard that these pads can be noisy for the first couple thousand, so Im expecting that.

 

hmmmm.. just read that thread. and i have the same pulsating, almost rough feel thru the pedal. since all three of us are running the brembo blanks, it is possible that it's the rotors? i'm using axxis ultimate pads btw.

i was convinced that my pads were to blame, but if you guys aren't having any problems with oem pads and new rotors, then i'll prolly just go back to stock pads.

 

Wait until 10,000 miles, then let the squeeling begin.

 

any quality cermaic pad. i've used prostop ceramic pads and they have been awesome. i used them on stock rotors and never had a warping problem on my 02 and now i have them on my 03