View Poll Results: Which Pads
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Brake Pads
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 0
From: Waldwick, NJ
Brake Pads Wow what a frustrating topic!
I've been searching the past week or so to see which are the "best" pads for my application (comparable to stock pads) I would go with the stock pads, but I don't want to spend $160 shipped on pads
I would go with Hawk HPS but from my readings, some people seem to say they squeek more and dust more, plus they cost around $145 shipped.
So I have narrowed my selection down to Wagner Thermo-Quiets which cost about $85 shipped and Raybestos Quiet-Stops which cost about $110 shipped (or if anyone has any other recommendations) I've done a lot of reading on both these and as usual you have 10 users who love them and 10 users who say they are junk!
So what do you guys think
I've been searching the past week or so to see which are the "best" pads for my application (comparable to stock pads) I would go with the stock pads, but I don't want to spend $160 shipped on pads
I would go with Hawk HPS but from my readings, some people seem to say they squeek more and dust more, plus they cost around $145 shipped.
So I have narrowed my selection down to Wagner Thermo-Quiets which cost about $85 shipped and Raybestos Quiet-Stops which cost about $110 shipped (or if anyone has any other recommendations) I've done a lot of reading on both these and as usual you have 10 users who love them and 10 users who say they are junk!
So what do you guys think
I have the Raybestos Quiet Stops on the front of my car now and they are great. No noise, and little to no dust. I haven't tried the other pads so I can't comment on them. Cheapest place I found to order them was Rock Auto.
I'm not too sure if Axxis makes pads for OEM replacement. My Big Brakes have them, and after bedding in they literally feel like an upgrade from stock. It's almost like I finally got a free lunch.
But seriously, you might want to check if there are Axxis OEM replacement pads and check if anybody has a positive experience with them. They shouldn't be too expensive, however hopefully the OEMs are not "K-Mart."
But seriously, you might want to check if there are Axxis OEM replacement pads and check if anybody has a positive experience with them. They shouldn't be too expensive, however hopefully the OEMs are not "K-Mart."
Originally Posted by JasonWW
What, no Carbotech Panther Pluses? Their only $285 shipped, dust like crazy and squeek all the time. 
Just kidding, they don't squeek ALL the time.
Just kidding, they don't squeek ALL the time.
now thats a pad. On a serious note, atleast try the panther plu pads, see how you like em. Carbotech also makes other pads, give them a try.
Trending Topics
Bobcat, then Panther+, then XP8, XP9 and then XP10. http://www.carbotecheng.com/prod-ct-compounds.htm
They have a street pad called the Bobcat. They are new, so few have used them, but based on feedback from their other pads, I bet it is a good one. About $200 shipped.
stang killer, have you used the XP9's? Are they streetable?
They have a street pad called the Bobcat. They are new, so few have used them, but based on feedback from their other pads, I bet it is a good one. About $200 shipped.
stang killer, have you used the XP9's? Are they streetable?
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Originally Posted by 2002 Trans Am
I've done a lot of reading on both these and as usual you have 10 users who love them and 10 users who say they are junk!
Another factor is initial bite. It doesn't get talked about much for some reason. Some pads grab softly at first to gently bring the nose down and then get really strong. I don't like that feeling. The Carbotechs seem to have a really strong initial bite. As soon as you hit the pedal, it jerks the car down to speed. The hotter the pads, the stronger they feel. Even cold on the street they are stronger than stock and one high speed stop is enough to get them grabbing like crazy. They also have good release characteristics, meaning if you lock a wheel, you can gently reduce the pedal pressure to get it spinning again. I've heard some of the Hawks are bad about not releasing or being like light switches, either on or off and hard to modulate. I don't remember which Hawk it was, but it was one of their racing pads.
Anyway, hope that helps. Or maybe confuses you some more.
You also really need to decide if you want to sacrifice safety and confidence for a pad that is clean and quiet. You can't really have both.
Last edited by JasonWW; Jun 17, 2005 at 03:21 PM.
Originally Posted by 2002 Trans Am
Wow what a frustrating topic!
I've been searching the past week or so to see which are the "best" pads for my application (comparable to stock pads) I would go with the stock pads, but I don't want to spend $160 shipped on pads
I would go with Hawk HPS but from my readings, some people seem to say they squeek more and dust more, plus they cost around $145 shipped.
So I have narrowed my selection down to Wagner Thermo-Quiets which cost about $85 shipped and Raybestos Quiet-Stops which cost about $110 shipped (or if anyone has any other recommendations) I've done a lot of reading on both these and as usual you have 10 users who love them and 10 users who say they are junk!
So what do you guys think
I've been searching the past week or so to see which are the "best" pads for my application (comparable to stock pads) I would go with the stock pads, but I don't want to spend $160 shipped on pads
I would go with Hawk HPS but from my readings, some people seem to say they squeek more and dust more, plus they cost around $145 shipped.
So I have narrowed my selection down to Wagner Thermo-Quiets which cost about $85 shipped and Raybestos Quiet-Stops which cost about $110 shipped (or if anyone has any other recommendations) I've done a lot of reading on both these and as usual you have 10 users who love them and 10 users who say they are junk!
So what do you guys think
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 0
From: Waldwick, NJ
lol, yeah JasonWW you were of no help I understand everything your saying, but i'm basically just "looking" for pads that "act" like OEM but cost close to $100 (Maybe XP10s are my answer....LOL)
Fulton i'm looking at replacing all 4 corners
Foxton, I did a search on Axxis before and I didn't find many posts, but of the very few I did find, they were not positive...
I understand everything your saying, but i'm basically just "looking" for pads that "act" like OEM but cost close to $100 (Maybe XP10s are my answer....LOL)Fulton i'm looking at replacing all 4 corners
Foxton, I did a search on Axxis before and I didn't find many posts, but of the very few I did find, they were not positive...
I know what your looking for. A lot of folks have looked for factory equivalent pads for a cheaper price. The bottom line was that whatever they used either had a bit more dust or a bit more noise or were just right. It's a crap shoot. Some get lucky, some don't. The only way to know for sure you will get quiet and clean pads is to get the factory ones.
Sorry I can't be much help.
Sorry I can't be much help.
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 0
From: Waldwick, NJ
No prob Jason, that seems to be the consensus when it comes pads.....
I am leaning towards rolling the dice and going with the Raybestos...we'll see what happens, if they suck then i'll just junk them and get the OEMs
I am leaning towards rolling the dice and going with the Raybestos...we'll see what happens, if they suck then i'll just junk them and get the OEMs
Originally Posted by BOBA_VETT
Anyone use EBCs?
Originally Posted by 2002 Trans Am
Fulton i'm looking at replacing all 4 corners
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
I have EBC Greenstuffs, Had Hawk HPS before and only stock before that. So not alot of stuff to compare to but the ebc's don't dust as much as the Hawk's. They definetly don't stop as agressively as the hawks. the one member said the hawks are weak compared to real sport pads and they probably are. I liked my hawks better than the greenstuff and would not buy EBC pads again,( I hear their good on motorcycles) not very much initial bite or overall strength compared to the hawks,
I want to try either the hawk HP plus or carbotech panthers next, which will be soon. also looking for recommendations for a good street pad that provides good safety, doesn't need to be heated up to stop, has good initial bite and overall power, with reasonable (some ) noise and dust is acceptable to me, what do I get?
I want to try either the hawk HP plus or carbotech panthers next, which will be soon. also looking for recommendations for a good street pad that provides good safety, doesn't need to be heated up to stop, has good initial bite and overall power, with reasonable (some ) noise and dust is acceptable to me, what do I get?
We're getting a bit off topic, but of those 2 choices (hawk HP plus or carbotech panthers) Trackbird likes the panther+ better. I don't know anybody else who has used both. I like the Pather+, of course (I don't have any experience with the Hawk HP+). The Panther's provide excellent safety, in fact the faster you go, the better the brakes work. I feel much better driving at speed on the freeway. Stone cold they stop better than stock and only get stronger as you use them. Initial bite is strong. The power or torque is massive when they have a bit of heat in them. They seem to squeek lightly if you stop with light pressure, but med to heavy is quiet. The noise is never loud only a light squeek that you may not even be able to hear if the radio is on. I think of it as the race brake sound. I can certainly live with it. Dust is a bit much. I have the polished TTII rims and it will lightly darken the fronts compared to the rears after a week of driving. If you wash the car weekly, it's no big deal. It cleans easily with a damp rag.
I honestly don't think I properly bedded my pads in. After warming them up slowly I did 6 stops from 60-5 and it never faded, nor could I smell them. I don't think I got them hot enough. They cool quickly on the street so ducts are not necessary. I may try bedding them again. 6 stops from 80-5 will probably do it. The point is they can take some serious abuse without fading.
I can certainly live with it. Dust is a bit much. I have the polished TTII rims and it will lightly darken the fronts compared to the rears after a week of driving. If you wash the car weekly, it's no big deal. It cleans easily with a damp rag. I honestly don't think I properly bedded my pads in. After warming them up slowly I did 6 stops from 60-5 and it never faded, nor could I smell them. I don't think I got them hot enough. They cool quickly on the street so ducts are not necessary. I may try bedding them again. 6 stops from 80-5 will probably do it. The point is they can take some serious abuse without fading.
Originally Posted by JasonWW
We're getting a bit off topic, but of those 2 choices (hawk HP plus or carbotech panthers) Trackbird likes the panther+ better. I don't know anybody else who has used both. I like the Pather+, of course (I don't have any experience with the Hawk HP+). The Panther's provide excellent safety, in fact the faster you go, the better the brakes work. I feel much better driving at speed on the freeway. Stone cold they stop better than stock and only get stronger as you use them. Initial bite is strong. The power or torque is massive when they have a bit of heat in them. They seem to squeek lightly if you stop with light pressure, but med to heavy is quiet. The noise is never loud only a light squeek that you may not even be able to hear if the radio is on. I think of it as the race brake sound. I can certainly live with it. Dust is a bit much. I have the polished TTII rims and it will lightly darken the fronts compared to the rears after a week of driving. If you wash the car weekly, it's no big deal. It cleans easily with a damp rag.
I honestly don't think I properly bedded my pads in. After warming them up slowly I did 6 stops from 60-5 and it never faded, nor could I smell them. I don't think I got them hot enough. They cool quickly on the street so ducts are not necessary. I may try bedding them again. 6 stops from 80-5 will probably do it. The point is they can take some serious abuse without fading.
I can certainly live with it. Dust is a bit much. I have the polished TTII rims and it will lightly darken the fronts compared to the rears after a week of driving. If you wash the car weekly, it's no big deal. It cleans easily with a damp rag. I honestly don't think I properly bedded my pads in. After warming them up slowly I did 6 stops from 60-5 and it never faded, nor could I smell them. I don't think I got them hot enough. They cool quickly on the street so ducts are not necessary. I may try bedding them again. 6 stops from 80-5 will probably do it. The point is they can take some serious abuse without fading.
also, after the 8th or 9th pass, I began to smell the green fade odor. regardless I proceeded to 10 stops then cooled the brakes.
I just got through with 6 stops from 80-5 back to back. I felt a little fade. Hot, hot, hot. Put a couple of cracks in my front rotors. 
I'm gonna get some Autozone blanks with the same pads. I may want to add ducts or get the vette rotors, have to see about that.
By "green fade" you mean having the pad material "cook" to cure it? I forgot what that means exactly. I know the Carbotechs are baked and cured in an oven at high temps.
I'm gonna get some Autozone blanks with the same pads. I may want to add ducts or get the vette rotors, have to see about that.
By "green fade" you mean having the pad material "cook" to cure it? I forgot what that means exactly. I know the Carbotechs are baked and cured in an oven at high temps.