Brake Pads (Re-Visited)

by **slickballer2000** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 7:29 pm

Hello SG Members,

I'm in the process of replacing my brake pads/rotors. I have a 2000 Solara SE Auto 1MZ-FE. I've searched and read seveal threads regarding this.

I've narrowed down my purchase options to HawK HPS or Hawk Performance Ceramic Pads in the front. For the rears, I am going with Akebono ProACT. For the rotors, I'm going with Brembo Blanks in the front and machining the rears to help cut down costs.

My concerns are the squealing, dusting of the pads and in particular the warm-ing up of the Hawk HPS Pads to utilize their full effectiveness.

If possible I'd like to hear you opinions and feedback on this setup. Your input is greatly appreciated.

by **Jakecallun20** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 7:34 pm

Duralast C-Max 100% ceramic pads...always worked for me.

by **TRDSleeper** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:02 pm

I recently put Hawk HPS in the front and EBC Greenstuff in the rear of my car. Here is what is good and bad about the Hawk HPS:

Good: noise free, low dust (not much more than OEM pads), sticks much better than OEM, compound is gentle on rotors.
Bad: requires proper breaking-in procedure to even work at all, needs warming up before achieving full stopping power (I usually have to make 2 or 3 stops before they really stick).

EBC makes front and rear pads for Solaras too. The Greenstuff is good for street use. Redstuff is if you want some more stopping power. My only complaint for the Greenstuff is that it produces much more dust than the Hawk HPS. Redstuff will make less dust since it's ceramic based. Hopes all this help in your pad selection.

by **Midias** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:09 pm

Bendex ceramic pads and wearever rotors from advance auto parts work great and free replacement of either any time I want.

by **Chinky420** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:57 am

want no brake dust?

want no brake squeal?

want a pad that will last?

axxis organic pads

i've had them for a while now, no brake dust (really really really really minimal, i.e. i don't know if it's from the brakes, or if my wheels are just naturally dirty). solid stopping power, and no brake squeal.

...but they're also like 90 bucks for a pair. but it's well worth it if you ask me.

by **nemoxfishy** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:53 am

^^^^
disagree...
i currently have the axxis organic pads... LOTS AND LOTS OF BRAKE DUST!!
Maybe its because i have the drilled + slotted rotors.... but they DO give me great stopping power!!

by **slickballer2000** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:04 pm

Are you guys referring to these Axxis Pads?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 2759.l1259

Will this fit a 2000 Solara? Not sure if the '99 had a different size in the rear.

by **thestevo44** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:32 pm

I got ceramic pads and Raybestos rotors recently from Checker. So far so good. No noise, no dust. Very clean, keeping fingers crossed. I am mad at Auto Zone right now, because they told me that I could use the semi-metallic pads if I wanted to. Sorry, but that annoyed me.

Why would anyone suggest less than OEM, if price was already said to not be an issue? If you want your silver wheels to be black, get semi metalics and kiss your rotors goodbye.

by **nemoxfishy** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:03 pm

actually....i have the axxis ultiamte ceramics.... not the organics....
sry about that....
check out http://www.r1concepts.com
i got my rotors and pads there...

by **Solarizona** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:34 pm

I had Brembo blanks with Akebono ceramics on the front and they warped after about 15K miles and 1 emergency stop. Apparently the Akebono ceramics can be very hard on rotors as they don't do a very good job dissipating heat. I now have Powerstop drilled rotors with their ceramic pads - front and rear. They've been awesome so far, but I've only had them on for maybe 1.5k miles. They're very smooth and produce zero brake dust. They also have a rust proof coating that actually works - and they look pretty bad ass! Only negative is they make a little noise 'till they're warmed up.

by **Chinky420** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:17 pm

nemoxfishy wrote:actually....i have the axxis ultiamte ceramics.... not the organics....
sry about that....
check out http://www.r1concepts.com
i got my rotors and pads there...

organics don't do the brake dust, it's nice

i have a slotted/dimpled rotor (by dimpled, i mean that there are little ...well, dimples, in the rotor, not all the way through like drilled, but just a little bit).
HERE

like i said, still have great stopping power, and my wheels stay clean

by **slickballer2000** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:50 am

I went with my original order of HawkHPS pads and Brembo blanks for the front and Akebono ProACT pads and machining the rotors for the rear. Will let you know how it goes after installation is complete. Thanks for all your input.

FYI, I ordered all my parts through Tirerack. Costed me about $265. I live in Hawaii, shipping costs are expensive.

by **nemoxfishy** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:41 pm

you might like to paint your calipers too since you'll be taking apart your brake assembly...
i painted mine red and it looks great!!

Brake Pads (Re-Visited)

Brake Pads (Re-Visited)

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