What are the best brake pads?
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StealthTL-S (11-03-2018)
02-27-2018, 08:42 AM
#44
Ive used stop tech and have really liked them. I skimped one time to save money and tagged a van because the pads just didnt have the stopping power the previous did. Wont do that again.
02-28-2018, 03:03 PM
#45
Instructor
Akebono Performance ceramic pads -- no dust, no noise, easy on stock rotors, long life, very linear stopping power, a little less initial bite but the increased stopping power makes up for it.
$79 for the front and $60 for the rear at Tire Rack.
$79 for the front and $60 for the rear at Tire Rack.
Last edited by TSX-S2000; 02-28-2018 at 03:08 PM.
03-01-2018, 04:19 PM
#46
Burning Brakes
I've used OEM, CMAX, Stoptechs, and Akebono performance pads. The Akebonos are definitely the best in my opinion.
I've put a brief description of my experiences in post #18 of the below thread
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...type-s-909521/
I've put a brief description of my experiences in post #18 of the below thread
https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...type-s-909521/
03-02-2018, 12:29 AM
#47
I prefer OEM Ferodo pads up front, but they are expensive though. Akebono Performance Sport is adequate enough for our cars on street use. Carbotech also makes great pads but are also on the high side price wise. For street use, any FF or GG rated pads would be adequate for our cars.
03-05-2018, 04:24 PM
#50
-------Tim-------
I have Centric high carbon rotors, and also the stoptech performance pads, love the stopping capabilities, but the dust has gotten a lot worse over time. I would have to look, but I wanna say the setup has ~25K on it. I’m getting a slight squeak from the pads occasionally recently. I haven’t checked to see how much pad is left, but will soon. I would like the same stopping power, but less dust. The wheels are filthy after 3-4 days after washing.
03-05-2018, 06:03 PM
#51
I have Centric high carbon rotors, and also the stoptech performance pads, love the stopping capabilities, but the dust has gotten a lot worse over time. I would have to look, but I wanna say the setup has ~25K on it. I’m getting a slight squeak from the pads occasionally recently. I haven’t checked to see how much pad is left, but will soon. I would like the same stopping power, but less dust. The wheels are filthy after 3-4 days after washing.
Like...just pad bite?
Stoptech Sports (street performance) actually don't have much bite when they're not heated up like crazy. I mean...their cold bite is decent enough, I guess.
The Akebonos might have slightly better cold bite. Worse "driving temp/warm" bite...and will definitely fade much earlier. BUT...the slightly better cold bite might be all you really need.
Plus, as all you weirdos say about them, the Akebono (or most any ceramic) don't dust visibly...and apparently, that is a very desirable trait :P
I'll never understand wanting low dust pads. But...whatever tickles your pickle, knowwhatImean??
03-07-2018, 04:15 PM
#52
-------Tim-------
Yeah, by stopping power, I mean they stop much better than oem. Initial bite feels better to me. I’m not familiar with a lot of different setups, but this is better than before (with originals). I have some ceramics on my other vehicle, and they don’t seem to be as good as the stoptech street pads. (Other vehicle isn’t similar to TL tho).
As far as dust, yeah I want it to stop well, and not dust as much. Lol! Can’t have both I guess? I just hate black wheels, especially after just cleaning it! Maybe the pads are getting low, hence the random squeak? Like I said before, have to look when I installed them. And check pads....
As far as dust, yeah I want it to stop well, and not dust as much. Lol! Can’t have both I guess? I just hate black wheels, especially after just cleaning it! Maybe the pads are getting low, hence the random squeak? Like I said before, have to look when I installed them. And check pads....
03-08-2018, 12:37 AM
#53
Stoptech Sports certainly don't last very long, unfortunately. So...yeah, they may be worn.
Give the Akebono a shot. They might be what you're looking for. Idk of any better ceramic pads. Maybe the Bendix?
Give the Akebono a shot. They might be what you're looking for. Idk of any better ceramic pads. Maybe the Bendix?
08-20-2018, 03:44 PM
#54
-------Tim-------
^Brolando, is their a good semi metallic pad that is less dust than The Stoptech street performance pads? I’m only curious, cause I do dislike a lot of dust, but am not against having any!
With the current Stoptechs, my newly installed a-Spec wheels are black in a day or two! Anything better than that, with decent stopping power would be great! I’m not trying to be spoon fed, I just don’t have much explerience in the brake pad world!
I would like decent stopping power, with less dust than I have now. Is that an option?
I’m not sure if the rotors need to be replaced or not either. I have no means of determining that.
(have centric high carbon blanks front and rear, with ~35K on them with the stoptech pads)
With the current Stoptechs, my newly installed a-Spec wheels are black in a day or two! Anything better than that, with decent stopping power would be great! I’m not trying to be spoon fed, I just don’t have much explerience in the brake pad world!
I would like decent stopping power, with less dust than I have now. Is that an option?
I’m not sure if the rotors need to be replaced or not either. I have no means of determining that.
(have centric high carbon blanks front and rear, with ~35K on them with the stoptech pads)Last edited by Slpr04UA6; 08-20-2018 at 03:49 PM.
08-20-2018, 03:51 PM
#55
Burning Brakes
I just bought Centric 120 rotors and Akebono Ultra-Premium Ceramicpads for my wife's RDX this afternoon. For four rotors, front pads, and rear pads, they were around $196 on CarID.com. With shipping, the total came to be about $220.
Last edited by wusty23jd; 08-20-2018 at 03:53 PM.
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Slpr04UA6 (08-20-2018)
08-20-2018, 05:34 PM
#56
^Brolando, is their a good semi metallic pad that is less dust than The Stoptech street performance pads? I’m only curious, cause I do dislike a lot of dust, but am not against having any!
With the current Stoptechs, my newly installed a-Spec wheels are black in a day or two! Anything better than that, with decent stopping power would be great! I’m not trying to be spoon fed, I just don’t have much explerience in the brake pad world!
I would like decent stopping power, with less dust than I have now. Is that an option?
I’m not sure if the rotors need to be replaced or not either. I have no means of determining that. (have centric high carbon blanks front and rear, with ~35K on them with the stoptech pads)
With the current Stoptechs, my newly installed a-Spec wheels are black in a day or two! Anything better than that, with decent stopping power would be great! I’m not trying to be spoon fed, I just don’t have much explerience in the brake pad world!
I would like decent stopping power, with less dust than I have now. Is that an option?
I’m not sure if the rotors need to be replaced or not either. I have no means of determining that.
(have centric high carbon blanks front and rear, with ~35K on them with the stoptech pads)Which stoptech do you have? Sport or Street (309 or 308)?
Semi metallics aren't really available in "low dust" variation.
I think Akebono ASP or EBC redstuff are formulated for decent bite with low dust. They are both "performance" ceramics. But...they won't feel as good as a semi metallic.
Most off the shelf semi-metallics will dust about as much as Stoptech Sports do. But the initial bite will be better.
Stoptech Sports are good for high temps. Not all that impressive at low temps. They're still one of my favourite all-around pads, though.
Its best to buy new rotors so you can mate them to your pads. You don't need special rotors. Just any cheap blank rotor.
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Slpr04UA6 (08-21-2018)
08-21-2018, 08:23 AM
#57
-------Tim-------
The Stoptech pads are the 309...Akebono ASP? Haven’t heard of those, was lookin at the Akebono ACT787 ProACT ceramic pads. But am open to others. Do you happen to know part numbers for a Base TL, for the Akebono ASP pads?
What I have currently, in picture...
Thnks
08-21-2018, 10:45 AM
#58
Stoptech 309's are the Sport.
They're good overall pads...but they really come alive at high temps. At low temps, they're not all that impressive. And yeah, they make dust...but it washes off easily.
Look on rockauto for Akebono ASP's. Idk if any AZ vendors sell them. They're the performance version of the ACT.
The ACT is pretty much the OEM pad. I *believe* Honda sources Akebono for pads now.
Low dust = Ceramic. Generally non performance oriented even when they're marketed as "performance".
Powerstop Z16, Akebono, or EBC red aren't too bad if you're looking for low dust. I wouldn't describe them as awful. But I wouldn't buy any of them *personally*.
Once you go with a good semi metallic, most "car enthusiast" type people just live with the dust. Going back to a low dust pad after you've tried a good SM is pretty un-enticing.
They're good overall pads...but they really come alive at high temps. At low temps, they're not all that impressive. And yeah, they make dust...but it washes off easily.
Look on rockauto for Akebono ASP's. Idk if any AZ vendors sell them. They're the performance version of the ACT.
The ACT is pretty much the OEM pad. I *believe* Honda sources Akebono for pads now.
Low dust = Ceramic. Generally non performance oriented even when they're marketed as "performance".
Powerstop Z16, Akebono, or EBC red aren't too bad if you're looking for low dust. I wouldn't describe them as awful. But I wouldn't buy any of them *personally*.
Once you go with a good semi metallic, most "car enthusiast" type people just live with the dust. Going back to a low dust pad after you've tried a good SM is pretty un-enticing.
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Slpr04UA6 (08-21-2018)
08-21-2018, 07:13 PM
#59
I personally would not recommend the Akeenbo Performance Ultra Premium pads. I currently have them on my Type S and they have squealed from day one. The factory brembo pads made no noise whatsoever. Nothing like putting new brake pads on a car and it immediately sounding like you're driving a shitty car as your brakes squeal like a mo-fo as you creep through the drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A. That's just my experience with them. They have been on my car for around 5k miles at this point and still squeak. I'll be buying another brand next go around.
08-21-2018, 08:19 PM
#60
Burning Brakes
Did you perform a bedding-in process or use old rotors by any chance? Normally a bedding in process is required, but there may sources say that Akebono pads do not need a typical bedding in process, just 500ish miles of moderate driving.
08-21-2018, 08:28 PM
#61
Yeah, I had brand new Stop Tech rotors installed in the front and in the back.
08-22-2018, 04:07 AM
#62
I had the same issue with squeezing with meyle rotors and hawk hps pads. Stops great. But I’m not happy about the squealing under light braking. and yeah I needed them and lubbed the pins, retainers, ect
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DMZ (04-30-2020)
08-22-2018, 12:34 PM
#64
Hawk HP-S and Akebono ASP or ACT shouldn't make any squealing noise at all. That's very unusual. Especially for the Akebono. I would speak to the manufacturer about a refund or possible solution. And also check the install.
Again...I'm pretty sure Akebono supplies Honda. Obviously, with a proprietary compound. But I bet its fairly similar to the ACT.
Again...I'm pretty sure Akebono supplies Honda. Obviously, with a proprietary compound. But I bet its fairly similar to the ACT.
08-22-2018, 12:36 PM
#65
I personally would not recommend the Akeenbo Performance Ultra Premium pads. I currently have them on my Type S and they have squealed from day one. The factory brembo pads made no noise whatsoever. Nothing like putting new brake pads on a car and it immediately sounding like you're driving a shitty car as your brakes squeal like a mo-fo as you creep through the drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A. That's just my experience with them. They have been on my car for around 5k miles at this point and still squeak. I'll be buying another brand next go around.
08-22-2018, 07:01 PM
#66
-------Tim-------
This makes me even more weary to go off course!! I haven’t had any problems with stoptech, or Centric!! But damn! Reading some of this, makes me concerned! I just want decent braking, with no squealing, and by decent I mean, oem or better. Altho I may be biased as I’ve had what I thought to be better than oem, with my current setup! Damn decisions!
08-22-2018, 07:30 PM
#67
This makes me even more weary to go off course!! I haven’t had any problems with stoptech, or Centric!! But damn! Reading some of this, makes me concerned! I just want decent braking, with no squealing, and by decent I mean, oem or better. Altho I may be biased as I’ve had what I thought to be better than oem, with my current setup! Damn decisions!
Do you do your own labour?
08-23-2018, 01:54 PM
#68
-------Tim-------
^Sometimes yes. If not, I have a friend who is a mechanic, help! I’ve done brakes before on my old vehicle, disc up front, drums on rear. So the TL shouldn’t be too hard! When I had the previous set of brakes put on the TL, I wasn’t there at my mechanic friends (had to work).
08-23-2018, 05:23 PM
#69
^Sometimes yes. If not, I have a friend who is a mechanic, help! I’ve done brakes before on my old vehicle, disc up front, drums on rear. So the TL shouldn’t be too hard! When I had the previous set of brakes put on the TL, I wasn’t there at my mechanic friends (had to work).
Well....centric makes posi-quiet semi metallic pads that cost like $20. They also make normal, blank rotors that are cost effective.
Give them a shot. I'm 100% confident you won't want a ceramic pad in exchange.
Even if you dislike the combination, you're only out like $20 for another set of pads. But I'd have a bruised ego. Think of those odds. Obviously, the stakes are MASSIVE for me.
08-23-2018, 07:24 PM
#70
-------Tim-------
I trust and value your opinion, and have seen those pads mentioned before, I just can’t find specific part numbers. I’ve been looking at kits on rockauto. So many to choose from! Are you Talkin $20 for pads for all four corners? Or just fronts? So you don’t think the High carbon rotors are worth the $$$?
08-23-2018, 08:46 PM
#71
I trust and value your opinion, and have seen those pads mentioned before, I just can’t find specific part numbers. I’ve been looking at kits on rockauto. So many to choose from! Are you Talkin $20 for pads for all four corners? Or just fronts? So you don’t think the High carbon rotors are worth the $$$?
They're definitely not in the kits section.
They're in the pads section. Part # should start with 104.
No point in fancy rotors. But I do like the ones with a black coating for corrosion resistance.
08-24-2018, 07:46 AM
#72
-------Tim-------
Yeah, I did see that the 104 series is the Posi quiet semi metallic. For some reason they aren’t avail for the automatic base TL’s. The black coating is avail on a cple different centric rotors. I have it on the current 125 series, I’ll look again to see if another less expensive series has the black e-coating. Also wanted to mention the fact that the current pads don’t cover the whole rotor face, leaving an area for rust to form.....I did paint that portion with high temp black paint when installed, but still shows rust line. Maybe the 104 series pads will cover more of the rotor surface......
i looked on centric’s website as well.....only avail for the brembo’s.
Last edited by Slpr04UA6; 08-24-2018 at 07:53 AM.
08-24-2018, 07:57 AM
#74
Burning Brakes
I just ordered a set of 120 Centric blanks for my wife's RDX (which I haven't installed yet) and will be ordering 120 Centric blanks for my TL in the near future. They have the black coating around the hub as well. Check those out if you haven't already.
And you are right, you have to be careful about that ring around the hub on our front rotors. A few years ago, I painted the hub and ring on a cheap set of Autozone rotors for my TL. After time, that paint on that small ring has begun to wear away and the rust has emerged. I highly doubt that different pads would cover more of the rotor surface. The pads sit in the caliper and follow the contour of the circle. All pads would likely have the same coverage area I would think.
And you are right, you have to be careful about that ring around the hub on our front rotors. A few years ago, I painted the hub and ring on a cheap set of Autozone rotors for my TL. After time, that paint on that small ring has begun to wear away and the rust has emerged. I highly doubt that different pads would cover more of the rotor surface. The pads sit in the caliper and follow the contour of the circle. All pads would likely have the same coverage area I would think.
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Slpr04UA6 (08-24-2018)
08-24-2018, 10:30 AM
#75
I see the 300 series semi metallic pads are available. As well as 106 extended wear series.
Centric *might* be dealing it a little dirty here...lol.
Let me explain:
The 308 series Stoptech Street is a semi metallic....but centric makes no mention of compound. Whenever I have removed them from the box for multiple cars, the PAD itself is laser marked "CEN 104.XXX.XXXX".
So maybe they're shying away from selling the 104 under CENTRIC now...but rather under 308 STOPTECH for ~$10 more.
So dirty, they deal it.
But on the up-side, it kinda shows that the plain jane 104 semi metallic can live up to being a enthusiast pad.
Which is kinda what I've been saying for a long time anyway about semi-metallics lol.
My assumption is that it will be a pad that really shines at lower (street) temps. But doesn't have a lot of high temp capability.
Their extended wear pad works better at higher temp...but you probably sacrifice cold temp bite. To me, its not a good trade off for a street car.
To throw more complexity in...I have also been happy with Raybestos EHT hybrid pads. They don't have all the bite of semi metallics....but its still pretty good. And the high temp resistance was crazy good. The dust is kinda heavy like a semi metallic...and it washes right off super easy. BUT...after trying both on the same car...I'd rather use a semi metallic.
Centric *might* be dealing it a little dirty here...lol.
Let me explain:
The 308 series Stoptech Street is a semi metallic....but centric makes no mention of compound. Whenever I have removed them from the box for multiple cars, the PAD itself is laser marked "CEN 104.XXX.XXXX".
So maybe they're shying away from selling the 104 under CENTRIC now...but rather under 308 STOPTECH for ~$10 more.
So dirty, they deal it.
But on the up-side, it kinda shows that the plain jane 104 semi metallic can live up to being a enthusiast pad.
Which is kinda what I've been saying for a long time anyway about semi-metallics lol.
My assumption is that it will be a pad that really shines at lower (street) temps. But doesn't have a lot of high temp capability.
Their extended wear pad works better at higher temp...but you probably sacrifice cold temp bite. To me, its not a good trade off for a street car.
To throw more complexity in...I have also been happy with Raybestos EHT hybrid pads. They don't have all the bite of semi metallics....but its still pretty good. And the high temp resistance was crazy good. The dust is kinda heavy like a semi metallic...and it washes right off super easy. BUT...after trying both on the same car...I'd rather use a semi metallic.
Last edited by BROlando; 08-24-2018 at 10:38 AM.
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Slpr04UA6 (08-24-2018)
08-25-2018, 04:22 PM
#76
-------Tim-------
Ok, I’ll look into the 308 series pads, and the 120 series rotors. As well as the raybestos hybrid pads...
I just hope the 308 series doesn’t leave pad deposits like the 309 did. And yes, I did the bed-in process on the pads/rotors when new.
I just hope the 308 series doesn’t leave pad deposits like the 309 did. And yes, I did the bed-in process on the pads/rotors when new.
08-27-2018, 02:01 AM
#77
Hawk HP-S and Akebono ASP or ACT shouldn't make any squealing noise at all. That's very unusual. Especially for the Akebono. I would speak to the manufacturer about a refund or possible solution. And also check the install.
Again...I'm pretty sure Akebono supplies Honda. Obviously, with a proprietary compound. But I bet its fairly similar to the ACT.
Again...I'm pretty sure Akebono supplies Honda. Obviously, with a proprietary compound. But I bet its fairly similar to the ACT.
i thought it was maybe the material for the rotors I had and how they interacted with the hawks? Not sure if all rotors are “the same” but yeah. But I posted a thread and was told the rotors wouldn’t make a difference. I’ve never had to do more than one brake job per vehicle I’ve had so I’ve never thought about trying different combos. I just worked with what I read here. They only squeal under light braking.
i like the pads. I would still strongly consider using them. But would like to get rid of the squeal for sure. May be worth it to throw a cheap set of pads on there next time it’s due and see what’s up
09-02-2018, 07:05 PM
#79
Mr. Detail
Really happy with the Akebono ceramics on my G35. Excellent stopping power, pretty much zero dust. Much happier with them than the Bosch ceramic pads on my Accord. They stop great but more than expected dusting.
11-14-2018, 08:58 PM
#80
08 TL type-S
I just got the Centric ceramic (oem) pads. They brake well , but squek, especially when first starting in the morning after rain. Squek, then after driving the squek goes away, but it is very bad and loud when first driving and the pads are brand new!