aftermarket brake life
aftermarket brake life
I'm about ready to have my brakes done for the second time at around 46,000 miles. I was wondering if any aftermarket brake pads will have a longer life if i continue my driving style?I always downshift and never coast and just use the brakes. It's my daily driver and I have never done any track days but spirited driving isn't out of the question. I have seen mostly two names in other threads-ferodo i believe and hawk pads. Does anyone know if they will last longer and still give good performance? Thx
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: CT
both the hawk and ferrodo pads will give you better braking than stock, but like anything, if you abuse them and pound on the brakes, they will wear out fast, but if you intend to brake as you do with the stock pads, they should last longer than stock. on a sidenote, you said you always downshift when coming to a stop, which is a sure way to go through your synchros. use your brakes for stopping, you'll be much happier in the long run replacing brake pads and not replacing synchros...
Yes.
It's much easier to change your brakes than to change synchros. I have no idea why people engine brake.
Most people don't even know what the heck rev-matching is.
Put it in neutral and coast, apply brakes when needed. Don't ride your brakes.
It's much easier to change your brakes than to change synchros. I have no idea why people engine brake.
Most people don't even know what the heck rev-matching is.
Put it in neutral and coast, apply brakes when needed. Don't ride your brakes.
Originally Posted by kapolani
Yes.
It's much easier to change your brakes than to change synchros. I have no idea why people engine brake.
Most people don't even know what the heck rev-matching is.
Put it in neutral and coast, apply brakes when needed. Don't ride your brakes.
It's much easier to change your brakes than to change synchros. I have no idea why people engine brake.
Most people don't even know what the heck rev-matching is.
Put it in neutral and coast, apply brakes when needed. Don't ride your brakes.
By engine breaking,you mean using 1st gear right? I never use first gear to slow down. If I'm in fourth and a redlight comes up, i downshift rev matching of course,through the gears until i hit second then i use the brakes gently until i stop. I just said i always downshift because some of my friends stick the car in neutral and only use the brakes to stop even at relatively decent speed.
most of the older guys have been tought to use the brakes, transmissions are harder to replace than pads. at least that is the way it used to be
It may be that todays trans are over built, I don't care, it is still easy to replace pads.
besides you have great brakes, use them. you shouldn't need to downshift unless you are setting up for a corner.
It may be that todays trans are over built, I don't care, it is still easy to replace pads.
besides you have great brakes, use them. you shouldn't need to downshift unless you are setting up for a corner.
Originally Posted by mrdevo
By engine breaking,you mean using 1st gear right? I never use first gear to slow down. If I'm in fourth and a redlight comes up, i downshift rev matching of course,through the gears until i hit second then i use the brakes gently until i stop. I just said i always downshift because some of my friends stick the car in neutral and only use the brakes to stop even at relatively decent speed.
Did you completley wear though them to the wear indicators, or how did you "know" you went through 2 sets?
i'm at probably17k on my normal pads, and they look like new. I've got 5 track days on my endless (race) pads, and they still look 80%.
Something's wrong with your driving, me thinks.
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Originally Posted by Zeus
I got about 22-23k off my OE pads, and have about a third left with about 53k now on the Ferodos...
j/k
By engine braking I mean downshifting into any gear. Not just first gear. When I'm coming to a stop - when I know that I will come to a complete stop I just leave it in gear or put it in neutral and just apply my brakes.
When I'm dropping down a gear or two I always rev-match.
Taking a turn is different. I always heel-toe.
Most people when they are ready to take a turn they just downshift - revs shoot up - unsettles the chassis - and puts stress on the tranny.
Go and drive a few HPDE's - learn how the instructors do it (teach you). It will change the way you drive.
When I'm dropping down a gear or two I always rev-match.
Taking a turn is different. I always heel-toe.
Most people when they are ready to take a turn they just downshift - revs shoot up - unsettles the chassis - and puts stress on the tranny.
Go and drive a few HPDE's - learn how the instructors do it (teach you). It will change the way you drive.
Originally Posted by kapolani
By engine braking I mean downshifting into any gear. Not just first gear. When I'm coming to a stop - when I know that I will come to a complete stop I just leave it in gear or put it in neutral and just apply my brakes.
When I'm dropping down a gear or two I always rev-match.
Taking a turn is different. I always heel-toe.
Most people when they are ready to take a turn they just downshift - revs shoot up - unsettles the chassis - and puts stress on the tranny.
Go and drive a few HPDE's - learn how the instructors do it (teach you). It will change the way you drive.
When I'm dropping down a gear or two I always rev-match.
Taking a turn is different. I always heel-toe.
Most people when they are ready to take a turn they just downshift - revs shoot up - unsettles the chassis - and puts stress on the tranny.
Go and drive a few HPDE's - learn how the instructors do it (teach you). It will change the way you drive.
I do the same, but not around residential areas
Originally Posted by WarmPepsi
leave the car in gear, slow down using brakes, when car gets down to 1500 or so, clutch in, come to complete stop. grap first, go on way.
Did you completley wear though them to the wear indicators, or how did you "know" you went through 2 sets?
i'm at probably17k on my normal pads, and they look like new. I've got 5 track days on my endless (race) pads, and they still look 80%.
Something's wrong with your driving, me thinks.
Did you completley wear though them to the wear indicators, or how did you "know" you went through 2 sets?
i'm at probably17k on my normal pads, and they look like new. I've got 5 track days on my endless (race) pads, and they still look 80%.
Something's wrong with your driving, me thinks.
Well, i went to the dealer and they told me my brakes were worn. They were first replaced at 24,000 miles i believe. Now at 46,000 they have little left from what the dealer told me a little while ago. From what I have read, this seems about normal for the life of the pads. It just seems like a lot to just use the brakes to slow the car down from speed instead of downshifting and using the brakes as well. My driving is pretty decent I would think. I never had a single problem with my 03 and started modding it at 10,000 miles. Tranny shifts great and the clutch grabs great still.I never do any hard braking. I just want a pad that lasts a bit longer with good performance.
Originally Posted by mrdevo
Well, i went to the dealer and they told me my brakes were worn. They were first replaced at 24,000 miles i believe. Now at 46,000 they have little left from what the dealer told me a little while ago. From what I have read, this seems about normal for the life of the pads. It just seems like a lot to just use the brakes to slow the car down from speed instead of downshifting and using the brakes as well. My driving is pretty decent I would think. I never had a single problem with my 03 and started modding it at 10,000 miles. Tranny shifts great and the clutch grabs great still.I never do any hard braking. I just want a pad that lasts a bit longer with good performance.
I also forgot, i had 3 track days on my stock pads, and they're fresh as could be.
Pull a wheel, push the two pins out of the top of the caliper and bam, theres your pad. look at it, swap it if you'd like, but NO reason to pay the dealer. I do a full brake swap F+R(pads, and rotors, which means removing the caliper) in about an hr.
Workin on your car =
Originally Posted by WarmPepsi
i gotcha, but i'm gonna encourage YOU to go out and look at your pads when they "say" they're worn.
I also forgot, i had 3 track days on my stock pads, and they're fresh as could be.
Pull a wheel, push the two pins out of the top of the caliper and bam, theres your pad. look at it, swap it if you'd like, but NO reason to pay the dealer. I do a full brake swap F+R(pads, and rotors, which means removing the caliper) in about an hr.
Workin on your car =
I also forgot, i had 3 track days on my stock pads, and they're fresh as could be.
Pull a wheel, push the two pins out of the top of the caliper and bam, theres your pad. look at it, swap it if you'd like, but NO reason to pay the dealer. I do a full brake swap F+R(pads, and rotors, which means removing the caliper) in about an hr.
Workin on your car =
Thanx, i might have to check it out myself to be sure. I would hope they wouldn't screw around with me because the dealer i go too is pretty decent service wise. How many miles do you think you can get out of yours?
Originally Posted by mrdevo
Thanx, i might have to check it out myself to be sure. I would hope they wouldn't screw around with me because the dealer i go too is pretty decent service wise. How many miles do you think you can get out of yours?
But look at some of the aftermarket replacements also, some of the "sport" pads, as it's so easy to change, it should be a crime
