Maxima-Ness

Okay, so I changed my rotors to the Powerslot Cryo's in the front last June. I used the Porterfield R4S (www.porterfield-brakes.com) brake pads as well. So, now I cant stand the squeeling. Its driving me crazy! They are all metal pads, so what did I expect? My main concern is whether or not they are eating up my rotors. Valid worry? Theyve already started to etch the rotors, so I want to keep damage at a minimum. Should I get some new front pads before the damage is done? I think I may get new ones just to kill the noise. Everytime I pull up to a stop light, people on the sidewalk look thinking im the freakin bus!

So Ive narrowed it down to two pad choices and I need your insight. The Hawk HPS or the Akebono pads. Anyone used the Akebono pads? Ive heard great stuff about them from friends, but Ive never seen anyone on the Org with them. They sound pretty great from the description (http://performance.speedycarparts.co...2&brandid=577).

If you have any answers or suggestions, im all ears...

Iron Scimitar

iTrader: (38)

Hawk HPS....

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

I installed the Akebono ceramic pads on the front of my mom's 2k2. They worked just fine. Nothing extraordinary but nothing bad either. They were quiet for the couple days that I used them.

Maxima-Ness

I like the bite that the Porterfield has, it just seems to have too much. What im afraid of is warping the rotors again. Dont know how much they would directly affect that, but all the same. When I do brake, im starting to get some side to side *slight* shimmy at the wheel. Course, that could just be me needing a front end alignment...

Maxima-Ness

Another note; I was told that the Akebono pads have a white dust, so it doesnt show up on the wheel. Is this true? Sounds like a good idea either way...

MetaOrbit

iTrader: (19)

I wish I could tell you, but I installed them on a Saturday morning and left Sunday night, so as far as long term, I really don't know. I just know that they were fine when I left...LOL

If it's any consolation, the reason I bought them for my mother's car was because of the reviews I read on Tire Rack. I haven't heard any complaints from her since then (1 or 2 weeks thus far).

Maxima-Ness

The reviews look pretty good. Hopefully someone on here has some long-term comments on them...not that I dont appreciate what youve had to say tho! I might just say the hell with it and get the HPS anyway cause I can get the front set for $40.

bg18461

iTrader: (8)

Do you mind if I ask you where you are getting Hawk Pads for $40...

Maxima-Ness

got the hook up from a friend here in town.

vipergtsr6

I have never used the Hawk pads, but I have used the Akebono pads on my fiances 2k2 civic. That car had a huge problem with warping rotors. I tried several combinations of rotors and pads. The Akebono were the last ones I tried based on a suggestion from a local import shop mechanic. Once I got them "bedded-in" they worked perfectly. I have had them for 20,000 miles or more and am very pleased with them. They do create less dust than the EBC green stuff pad that I had used in the past.

Here is a link to the page for "bedding-in" these pads
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/tech/...currentpage=80
Just my .02

scmaxima2k

iTrader: (3)

Akebono is a top quality OE replacement pad. I don't have any personal experience with them, but I sell them and people seem to be happy with them, I've sold a few sets to buddies with Maxima's, including 2 org members and they are happy with them. Very low dusting, quiet, perform just as good as stock if not better. I plan on trying their Street Performance pads my next brake job, probably this summer.

Maxima-Ness

Yeah, those are the ones I was after, the ASR815's (street performance pads). Not too many places carry them though. I guess cause they are so new. Im still torn.

FASSTER

iTrader: (1)

Hawk HPS, Have gone through 2 sets on my 01 SS Camaro drag car and just installed them on my Max a few days ago. I love them on both my cars.

Maxima-Ness

So, are my worries about the Porterfield pads eating up my rotors valid?

6SpeedTA95

I dont know much about hawk but a LOT of my f body buddies have them and LOVE them. Lots of folks use them to autoX so they're probably a good mix of a sticky semi race pad and a street pad. I'd go that route.

IWNTMORHP!!

iTrader: (5)

i have the akibono's and they are an improvement from stock and they are quiet and do not dust bad at all. wheel upkeep is minimal with them. i just purchased a set of hawk hps to see if i can improve the braking some more. i may do the ss lines first and then swap the pads and see if there is an improvement. i am all about trying stuff out.

2k0to2k3

iTrader: (1)

just to confirm morhp!! i have akebono on both the front and rear and they are completely silent, and create very minimal dust. i can not compare them to stock drakeing because my car was a salvage and i never drove it before repairs. But i have 26k miles on them and they are still looking good; no scoreing, warping or noise and help me to keep rims clean . overall i think they are great....

Stardust

iTrader: (10)

You will have your lines in about 2 weeks

PerfectVQ I30

love my akebono's, you will too...

5thgenfan

I switched my stock pads and rotors for Akebono ProAct Ceramics and Brembo Blanks. Ive been running this config for about 1k miles. I found the stopping to be close to stock ...so i was kinda dissappointed as I expected the brakes to chomp down and bite and really stop the car. Not bad brakes, they definately do the job but you wont think "wow, this car stops on a dime". Super silent, though. No squeeling, no vibrations. Also, very low dust. Im also the impression they will last a long time.
Pros: Silent, reliable, affordable, low dusting, long lasting, adequate stopping power.
Cons: Stopping power is just adequate instead of stellar.

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

Question for those with Akebono. Did you follow any type of bedding procedure? As I understand it, these pads do not require a bedding procedure?

I currently have Axxis/PBR Deluxe and they squeal like crazy.

Maxfli

iTrader: (2)

I used to have Axxis/PBR Deluxe pads on a BMW I used to own and they squealed like a pig. I got rid of the squeal by removing the pads and taking a rasp/file to the edges of the pad material and removing about 1/4" at a 45 degree angle. This takes off the 90 degree angle on the edge off the pad material and eliminated the squeal (caused by vibration of the pad).

It worked like a charm and I never had the squealing again.

Good luck!

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

I contacted Dave Zeckhausen this morning:
http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm

He suggested I re-bed the brakes as some of the zinc plating may have warn off. Just got back from a nice country drive. Will see how they sound for the next 1000k miles.

I do see that the rotors have pad transfer on them and there is a slight bluish tint. I guess I'll save the Akebono for my 100k mile brake job.

four

i didnt know you can re-bed them. i got the same problem too.

2002 Maxima SE

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, the link I sent actually says after the initial bedding you may have to do it again:

In my case, I never noticed pad transfer or "blueish tint" after the initial bedding.

Lowkey718

iTrader: (1)

The akebono pads are really good, had them for over 4 months w/ the brembo cross drilled and they work beautiful so far, no dust unlike the PBR I previous had and hated.....Akebono's are expensive but its worth it...

raidwolf

iTrader: (4)

i 2nd, 3rd, and 4th the akebono ceramic.