Best brake pads?

[FoolioABC]

I'm looking to buy some new brake pads and was wondering about opinions out there on which ones are the best? I did a search and it seems like the Axxis ultimates and TRDs are popular, but I would really like some statements about which brake pads are best
thx

[afghan]

Believe it or not, the stock pads are very good and wear very well. Search in the autox forum.

[Illusive]

Originally posted by afghan
Believe it or not, the stock pads are very good and wear very well. Search in the autox forum.

stockers have bad brake fade after about 2 hard abs engagement stops.

i've heard porterfield makes a carbon kevlar brake pad and may work very well also as an alternative

[xkrnplayboyx]

axxis ultimates

[Zero2sicksty]

oh god..i bought raybestos..what was i thinking !! they squueek like hell..and dust my rims up..

im going back to stock soon..as i get money

[voidhawk]

Endless CCX - you get what you pay for. Axxis dusts like ass and wear quickly. TRD squeak without much improvement. For brake fade, changing the brake fluid goes a long way (ATB super blue recommended unless you want to change often). The stockers do not fade after "2 hard abs engagements" . I've tracked with stock brake pads, and my ABS kicks in before almost every turn; no fade during the first 15 min, but then it does become noticeable.

All performance pads are more noisy and wear faster than stock. The high-end ones don't work well unless heated up (no good for daily driving). It's a compromise, and you have to balance what you want (high temp, initial grip, wear, dust, noise).

Once you did experience brake fade, your brake fluid will fade at even lower temp the next time, so change it after/if you track stock.

[lowendfrequency]

Originally posted by xkrnplayboyx
axxis ultimates

:werd: I love mine

[nyoneway]

Like everyone says....Axxis and Powerfield...

TRD is made by Axxis I believe... and I've been using TRD for 3 years.

[Fourgig]

Originally posted by nyoneway
....Axxis and Powerfield...

You mean Porterfield?

[FoolioABC]

Are the Porterfield/Axxises loud? (squeeky)

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by FoolioABC
Are the Porterfield/Axxises loud? (squeeky) I have Axxis Ultimates, and they're only a bit squeaky when they're cold. Other people report no squeaking at all. They stop the car fast and hard when needed, though, so I don't mind the minor noise or brake dust at all. :)

[aykut]

what about the trd-usa ones ? i ordered mines yesterday

[Mike Morris]

Depends on how fast the car is and what your needs are for the pads.
Like mentioned fluid changes are very important not just for performance but for the seals in the system(ie master cylinder).

Do you race a lot on the track or is this just for street use?

[nyoneway]

TRD should last you 20k miles if you're aggressive.

[FoolioABC]

This is more for auto-x use

[aykut]

for street use , i got the trd-usa cuz trd is a reliable trade , but dont know so want to learn other people's opinions. Is it gonna squeak or make any noise ? they said on the above that the factory pads work best so i am lost

[Blue Bomber]

I've heard TRD pads need to be heated up before they perform their best, so they should be better for autox than for the street.

[Boosted2.0]

I have porterfield R4-S Carbon-Kevlar pads on the Alltrac, and they are absolutely AMAZING! Huge difference in stopping power from the stock pads.

[nyoneway]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
I've heard TRD pads need to be heated up before they perform their best, so they should be better for autox than for the street.

I used TRD pads for the last 70k miles on my car... went thru about 3-4 sets already.. they perform fine for daily/aggressive street driving.. even in cold winter mornings.

[RATIFIED]

I had Axxis Ultimates and they were great for stopping, but dusted up too bad for me. Now I'm using the TRD ones. Not quite as much bite but less dust too. I would say Axxis for track and TRD for street!!

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by Boosted2.0
I have porterfield R4-S Carbon-Kevlar pads on the Alltrac, and they are absolutely AMAZING! Huge difference in stopping power from the stock pads. How's the dusting with them?

[kaioshin]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
How's the dusting with them?

Bad. If I don't clean the rims every few weeks the front rims look like they are gunmetal. :chuckles:

[Boosted2.0]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
How's the dusting with them?

I haven't had any dusting problems at all. Then again I have pretty open wheels and slotted rotors and they are anthracite which tends to hide brake dust, not sure how that is affecting the perceived dust level.

Heres a pic:
http://www.controlledinertia.com/Portals/0/382/Small%20Alltrac%20Pic.jpg

[Illusive]

Originally posted by Boosted2.0
I haven't had any dusting problems at all. Then again I have pretty open wheels and slotted rotors and they are anthracite which tends to hide brake dust, not sure how that is affecting the perceived dust level.

Heres a pic:
http://www.controlledinertia.com/Portals/0/382/Small%20Alltrac%20Pic.jpg

cars lookin hot boosted :)

[cybrpunk]

I recommend Hawk HPS pads. Minimal break dust, no noise, long lasting, performs great with cold stops and on a dime when they are warmed up. Highly recommend them!

[jway83]

what about ceraminc pads? i've heard of people going 80k miles on them and showing minimal wear

[demo5757]

trd usa pads are maded by hawk racing no noise or dust

[xkrnplayboyx]

axxis ultimates are carbon ceramic kevlar blah

Originally posted by jway83
what about ceraminc pads? i've heard of people going 80k miles on them and showing minimal wear

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by xkrnplayboyx
axxis ultimates are carbon ceramic kevlar blah True, but they're not completely ceramic, which is why they dust so much. True ceramic pads aren't supposed to dust at all.

[Liqquid]

Originally posted by Zero2sicksty
oh god..i bought raybestos..what was i thinking !! they squueek like hell..and dust my rims up..

im going back to stock soon..as i get money

don't worry... you're not the only one.
:sadpace:

[SQ GT-S]

Originally posted by jway83
what about ceraminc pads? i've heard of people going 80k miles on them and showing minimal wear

I'm running ceramics on my car. I put ceramics on all my cars and family cars, and I love them. No dust, no noise, and a life-time warranty. Can't go wrong there.

Curt

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by SQ GT-S
I'm running ceramics on my car. I put ceramics on all my cars and family cars, and I love them. No dust, no noise, and a life-time warranty. Can't go wrong there.

Curt And you're not gonna tell us the brand? :wtc:

[FoolioABC]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
And you're not gonna tell us the brand? :wtc:

werd. (not gonna use the smiley sign :wiggle: )

[SQ GT-S]

Well, Raybestos has two lines of brake pads. The crap ones they sell at AutoZone, and the higher end that they sell at real auto parts stores. I've been using the Raybestos ceramic pads with the severe duty rotors (cross-drilled and slotted). These ceramics, or even just the global solution ones or lifetime ones are FAR superior to the ones they sell at AutoZone. I get my products at CARQUEST auto parts.

With the ceramics, I have never heard a peep from them, not dust, never warped the rotors from their (excessive grip), and lifetime warranty. You can't go wrong.

Curt

[Blue Bomber]

Hmm, looks like I'll be replacing my brake pads soon. :D

EDIT: Found them in the Part Catalog in the site below for $42 front, $38 rear:

https://www.rockauto.com/

Are these good prices, SQ?

[Liqquid]

I got my raybestos for 91 bucks altogether (f&r) from napa... followed the break in proceedure exactly... 3 days later SQUEEK

these are apparently called the raybestos "blue" line... not sure if they're made for napa or not.

I called toyota dealer... 43 for the front, 43 for the back.
So, what I have done is paid money to downgrade my brakes..

going back to stock as soon as the squeeking makes me go nuts.

[FoolioABC]

were those the ceramic ones taht SQ is talking about?

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by FoolioABC
were those the ceramic ones taht SQ is talking about? No, the ones SQ was talking about are called Raybestos Quiet Stop.

[SQ GT-S]

Originally posted by Liqquid
I got my raybestos for 91 bucks altogether (f&r) from napa... followed the break in proceedure exactly... 3 days later SQUEEK

these are apparently called the raybestos "blue" line... not sure if they're made for napa or not.

I called toyota dealer... 43 for the front, 43 for the back.
So, what I have done is paid money to downgrade my brakes..

going back to stock as soon as the squeeking makes me go nuts.

The blue line pads are the 2 year warranty pads. They will squeek. The ceramics I have don't.

My part number from CARQUEST is GCD823 and GCD817 if I remember right. Those numbers have different letters from the Raybestos part numbers. Blue, your price is a good price. My box doesn't specifically say "Quiet Stop" pads on them, but that seems to be their only ceramic pads according to that website.

Curt

[Liqquid]

you know what... I am losing my mind.. I did buy those from carquest.... so that is what I have, the blue ones.

I have brembo crossdrilled and slotted rotors... think they'll eat those pads up quicker than the stock rotors?

[Lord Banshee]

Originally posted by nyoneway
Like everyone says....Axxis and Powerfield...

TRD is made by Axxis I believe... and I've been using TRD for 3 years.

I thought TRD were Hawk HPS? and i thought it even said Hawk on the Pads.

Stock Pads seem to work just fine to me and not that bad on brake fade or dusting. I hanve used them for 1 year, 4 months of autox and 2 driving schools and it seems to have plenty of pad left.... I don't have ABS and i am not sure if it cause more brake wear or not but for me stock pads are great.

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by Lord Banshee
TRD were Hawk HPS:werd:

[lowendfrequency]

I thought full ceramic pads were a no-no for high speed braking?

[SQ GT-S]

Originally posted by Liqquid
you know what... I am losing my mind.. I did buy those from carquest.... so that is what I have, the blue ones.

I have brembo crossdrilled and slotted rotors... think they'll eat those pads up quicker than the stock rotors?

I don't know. It could be. I've never had a problem with the blue CARQUEST pads. And all my customers never complain, either. I do know the red pads (90 day warranty) are junk, though.

Curt

[PoweredbyRICE]

ok well i ordered the raybestos quiet stop..i hope these are what u guys are saying they are :)...they'll compliment my new Brembo cross drilled/slotted Rotors weeeeeeeeeeee....

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by PoweredbyRICE
ok well i ordered the raybestos quiet stop..i hope these are what u guys are saying they are :)...they'll compliment my new Brembo cross drilled/slotted Rotors weeeeeeeeeeee.... Nice. :) Let us know how well they work, and especially how much they dust. ;) BTW, what pads are you using now?

[Liqquid]

Originally posted by SQ GT-S
I don't know. It could be. I've never had a problem with the blue CARQUEST pads. And all my customers never complain, either. I do know the red pads (90 day warranty) are junk, though.

Curt

It is kind of a weird squeeking, If I try a nice, gradual stop they will squeek constantly... push on the pedal a little more, all quiet.
I'd like to think I know how to install brakes.. definately wansn't my first time... but is it possible I goofed something up?
Or is it possible they don't work as good with the new rotors...

I'm not a great source of info on brakes, but I haven't heard anyone so far say there's a bad combination of rotors/pads.

[Blue Bomber]

Did you put grease on the shims?

[SQ GT-S]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
Did you put grease on the shims?

:werd: I was just going to ask that, too. I know the blue pads don't come with new shims for the rear, but the ceramics (golds) come with new shims for the rear. For the front, you need to re-use the stock shims, and put grease between them. Otherwise, I don't know what to tell you. Depending on the CARQUEST, they might swap you out for some new pads. We will sometimes take the old ones back, credit them, and use it towards a gold line pad. And BTW, CARQUEST has 4 gold lines of pads that I'm aware of.

Curt

[FoolioABC]

As a side topic, are ceramic pads what make the rotors look like theyre glowing at night when used hard? Or are those the rotors themselves? Or what?

[Blue Bomber]

Hmm, just talked to my friend who's a mechanic about the Raybestos Quiet Stop pads, and he said they weren't meant for hard driving. He suggested KVR Carbon Fiber pads. They won't squeal or dust, and they perform better than stock.

From kvrperformance.com
Carbon Fibre Brake Pads
KVR Performance delivers a Semi-Metallic Carbon Fibre disc pad which has been proven to demonstrate superior performance.
It's metallurgical formulation exceeds all O.E.M. standards, while still offering a quiet running brake pad with minimal dusting.

Street Performance Requires No Warm Up
Produces Minimal Amount of Black Dust
Excellent Durability and Extended Life
Meets or Exceeds all O.E. Specifications
Kevlar Insulated
Carbon Fibre Weave Rather Than Carbon Dust
Reduction Of Heat Induced Fade

https://www.kvrperformance.com/images/KVR%20Pads2.jpgGT: https://www.kvrperformance.com/order/Search_Display.cfm?ID=2571
F - M7691 - $61.00
R - B753 - Available Summer '04

GT-S: https://www.kvrperformance.com/order/Search_Display.cfm?ID=2570
F - M7691 - $61.00
R - M7696 - $68.00

They also have SSB brake lines for $152.

[Liqquid]

that doesn't sound too bad...
to be honest I don't know the differance in the materials as how it relates to stopping.

I've heard ceramic is good... and our stock pads are?
I've heard semi-metallic is a step down from that...

it's actually rather confusing... If I can stop working on my car for more than10 minutes I'll search the internet to find the answer.. of course with all the people trying to sell something these days you know how fun it can be finding the right info.

so would these carbon-fibre pads work better than a new set of stockers?

[SQ GT-S]

Originally posted by Blue Bomber
Hmm, just talked to my friend who's a mechanic about the Raybestos Quiet Stop pads, and he said they weren't meant for hard driving. He suggested KVR Carbon Fiber pads. They won't squeal or dust, and they perform better than stock.



I've been pretty hard on my ceramic pads and have had no problems. Like I said, I don't know which Raybestos line my ceramic come from, but I know they work.

Curt

[FoolioABC]

Damn son, 160 dollars is kinda steep.

[sm4k]

Originally posted by FoolioABC
As a side topic, are ceramic pads what make the rotors look like theyre glowing at night when used hard? Or are those the rotors themselves? Or what?

That glow is the actual disk glowing red-hot from all the friction of a hard stop. I would assume the better the pads your using and the harder your stopping, the more you'd see them glow. I think I read somewhere that you can fuse your pads to the disks if you abuse it though.

[FoolioABC]

Anybody have experience with those KVR Carbon Fiber pads? I have to get new brake pads a lot sooner than I expected and any input would be greatly appreciated. Are the Carbon Fiber pads noisy?

[Blue Bomber]

From what I've heard, the CF pads are supposed to have all the benefits of the ceramic pads (no squealing, limited/no dust, excellent resistance to brake fade), but they're for high performance driving. My friend suggested it to a couple of his friends, and they've had no problems. One of them hasn't washed his car in about 5 months, and the accumulated brake dust on his rims is less that what 1 week of driving with my Axxis Ultimates would leave. ;)

[Auto[BoT]_GTS]

what about ebc pads?

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by Auto[BoT]_GTS
what about ebc pads? Someone got a set here and said they were terrible. I think they faded a lot. Not sure which EBC pads they were, but I've seen more than enough negative reviews about their pads in general to just stay away from them.

[FoolioABC]

I've heard that steel brake lines cause a lot of problems (from a search,) although people having problems seemed to stem from the Goodrich brand ones. Are do steel braided brake lines cause problems on our cars? If not, are they a worthwhile investment?

[Blue Bomber]

They're definitely worthwhile. They'll reduce brake pedal effort, making it much easier to stop. They'll also give the brake pedal a more linear feel, instead of the stock lines expanding after a certain amount of pressure. That increases brake pedal effort for the same amount of braking force. And yes, the only brake lines that were causing problems were the Goodridge brake lines. I think they were rubbing against some part of the car or just didn't fit right at all.

[FoolioABC]

So would the ones that are sold @ suprastore/titanmotorsports be worthwhile, or should i go with the ones that KVR is selling? anynoe have experience with these?

[Blue Bomber]

Not sure which ones Titan sells, but if other people on the board have used them with no problems, go for it. Not much performance difference between brands (if any), since SSB lines are SSB lines. ;)

[FoolioABC]

Brake lines are DOT Approved and manufactured by Goodridge USA for KVR Performance Inc.
T304 Stainless Steel brackets are manufactured by KVR Performance and are supplied as required. Where possible, brake lines are covered by a clear tubing to protect against the elements.

thats a bad sign, right?

on a side note, blue bomber u make it really ahrd to distinguish which of my open internet explorers is which by always being the last poster on every single thread i look @ :gap:

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by FoolioABC
Brake lines are DOT Approved and manufactured by Goodridge USA for KVR Performance Inc.
T304 Stainless Steel brackets are manufactured by KVR Performance and are supplied as required. Where possible, brake lines are covered by a clear tubing to protect against the elements.

thats a bad sign, right?Hmm, I don't think the original Goodridge lines had clear tubing over the lines, which caused the lines to undergo excess wear from sand and debris that got caught in the braids. It also ale the lines cut through anything they rubbed against (SSB line turns into a file when it constantly rubs against something). The only iffy part of those lines now would be the fit. Originally posted by FoolioABC
on a side note, blue bomber u make it really ahrd to distinguish which of my open internet explorers is which by always being the last poster on every single thread i look @ :chuckles:

[Gen7fan]

I've got EBC green stuff pads, and they are not worth the price. I paid $80 for the front pads only (GT). They dust like a mofo, after only a week my wheels are 100% black, can't tell where the tire ends and the wheel starts. Braking is better than stock for daily driving but at high speed (over 100mph) they don't brake any better than stock. Bottom line lots of dust, high price, not much better than stock.

Very interested in the CF pads bomer is talking about.

[FoolioABC]

Well I ordered the KVR Carbon Fiber pads, I'll let you guys know how they work out after I get them and install them.

[Blue Bomber]

Nice! :)

[nyoneway]

Originally posted by FoolioABC
As a side topic, are ceramic pads what make the rotors look like theyre glowing at night when used hard? Or are those the rotors themselves? Or what?

Just hookup some red neons/LEDs near your brake caliper.

Seriously, its not hard to make your rotors glow red, you need racing pads, high temp fluids, and repeat high speed braking. Some repeat 100-0 stops and you'll reach 1000+ degrees in no time.

[Butt Dyno]

Carbotech Bobcats.

http://www.carbotecheng.com/appguide-pads-toyota.htm

Great street pads. They definitely dust more than stock, but still a lot less than a lot of other pads (like the Ultimates)

BTW, don't bother getting rears, your fronts do most of the work anyway.

john

[sipb]

I've got Axxis Ultimates for $62 a set if anyone is interested.....as far as I'm concerned, these are the best pads out there for street/track use. The fluid in the caliper will boil before the pad gets hot enough to stop working. Email me: pat@stopitbrakes.com