Had a reputable shop install rear EBC slotted rotors and red stuff pads today and wow are they loud. The best I can describe the sound is a grind/rubbing sound and not a squeal. The sound is very present 0-40 mph whether braking or not. Braking does not reduce the sound. When in reverse I do not hear the noise as much. I did a quick inspection with wheels on an did not notice anything obvious. Besides the noise the braking performance seems fine with no noticeable vibration. I am also following the EBC recommendation of moderate brake pressure for first 500 miles. So far maybe have 50 miles on so hoping the noise will reduce significantly. Amazing the difference as I had Brake Performance Premium dimpled/slotted front rotors with Stillen metal matrix pads installed on front a month back. After the bedding they are as quiet as a mouse and perform great. Doing some searching it seems that the noise with the EBC setup is common but unfortunately the posts I read are not updated to whether the sound diminishes or goes away. I appreciate any words of advice or experience. Thanks much!

 

maybe the pad "ears" are sticking where they should be sliding in the caliper?

any thick paint, or metal burrs to file down? or as I've seen done and plan to do in the future, add a very lil grease only to the ears.

 

Ok thanks I'll look closer in the daylight. I did try to slip a piece of paper between the pad and rotor and could not get the paper to slide freely, basically no gap with the paper. Does this should normal? Thanks again

 

EBC pads are coated with a rough, sandpaper like surface that is meant to prep rotors by grinding off old material.

The rotor prep coating will grind for a while until it is worn away, then they should quiet down.

However, as EBC says, the slotted rotors will always make an "air noise" when braking.

 

They're starting to quiet down after 150 miles. Much better when running hot. I'll run them another 100 miles or so before doing any work.

 

So they went fairly quiet around 350 miles and yesterday they started grinding again. Once I hit 500 miles as recommend I'm going to bed them hard. So far as compared to the OEM pads I probably would not buy again. I think the subtle difference on the rears does not out weigh the horrible grinding noise. Kinda like driving a junkyard truck through a quiet neighborhood.

 

After 350 miles, the EBC break-in coating should be long gone. If they have started grinding again, you may have an installation problem.

 

Would the mileage actually somewhat depend upon how often or how many times the brakes have been used, in terms of wearing off the break-in coating? Just wondering if the EBC pads come with some instructions about this? considering new pads myself. Thanks for any responses.

 

No doubt the OEM pads suck. I just put on another set and REALLY regret my choice.
However OP, your choice in pads was overkill for this ride. The RDX will never be a track car, you can't make a sprinter out of a ballerina.
Maybe Yellow Stuff, maybe.

 

If it was entirely highway miles, the break-in coating would last longer, but 350 is still plenty to wear the coating off. The break-in coating is just designed to scrub and prep the rotor for good transfer of pad material to the rotor. It's a good idea and it works well when transitioning a rotor from other pads to EBCs.

When my EBC RedStuff pads wore out, I went to Autozone Duralast Gold ceramic pads. With discount codes, I bought 2 new front rotors and full front/rear pads for the cost of one EBC rotor.

The Autozone rotors and pads have been on for about 2 years now -- they are strong, smooth and quiet.

 

Thanks guys. So far its been 75% expressway 25% semi-city (45-55mph zones). Please keep in mind the rotors are new too (EBC slotted). I'll give them another 100 miles then get the wheels off. So far I'm much more impressed with my fronts Brake Performance (dimpled/slotted) with Stillen metal matrix. After the aggressive break-in they have been great!