Brakes Need Work Again

[ColoradoDriver]

I'm a raybestos fan (the element3 series with the coated rotors) maybe save the ones you pulled off to get them machined for the next time if it doesn't cost too much.

That's a great idea.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

I would find someone to resurface your rotors first, see if that even does anything.

Honestly I think I will take @HyFlyer's advice and just keep the Bosch rotors around and get them resurfaced for the next time and then can switch them.

 

[ruthrj]

You need a special gauge to measure run-out on something like rotors. Good thing you verified there wasn’t visible build up on them, won’t be able to see warping if present.

Technically you might be able to find a place that could turn the rotors while they’re on the car, but I’d personally start over. I’ll second the element 3’s. I only have 2k miles of experience with them on my Titan but they’re great. Stops well going downhill while towing 5k pounds. Will likely choose them again for the CX-5 and RAV4 when the time comes (barring no issues on the truck lol).

 

[ColoradoDriver]

You need a special gauge to measure run-out on something like rotors. Good thing you verified there wasn’t visible build up on them, won’t be able to see warping if present.

Technically you might be able to find a place that could turn the rotors while they’re on the car, but I’d personally start over. I’ll second the element 3’s. I only have 2k miles of experience with them on my Titan but they’re great. Stops well going downhill while towing 5k pounds. Will likely choose them again for the CX-5 and RAV4 when the time comes (barring no issues on the truck lol).

So that's two votes for the Element 3's then. Nice.

I was thinking Akebono pads, but saw mixed reactions. I thought they were the OE for Mazda so figured safe bet. Then saw the Element 3's were a hybrid ceramic / semi-metallic so figured that would be an upgrade to the stopping power over just ceramics, so definitely leaning that way.

 

[ruthrj]

So that's two votes for the Element 3's then. Nice.

I was thinking Akebono pads, but saw mixed reactions. I thought they were the OE for Mazda so figured safe bet. Then saw the Element 3's were a hybrid ceramic / semi-metallic so figured that would be an upgrade to the stopping power over just ceramics, so definitely leaning that way.

I thought the Akebono Proact pads were just fine too (I used those on my old ‘13 CX-5). I don’t think you’ll go wrong either way. I thought the same thing as you too on the hybrid pad. The truck had ceramics from the factory, the previous owner I think had some Brakes Plus cheapo pads put on, and when I purchased I had to get rid of the shudder issue. Supposedly the hybrid pads have a little more bite for towing so I’m a happy camper (no pun intended).

 

[N7turbo]

I'm a raybestos fan (the element3 series with the coated rotors) maybe save the ones you pulled off to get them machined for the next time if it doesn't cost too much.

I remember reading (during my brake pad research) that those dust a lot.

 

[N7turbo]

So that's two votes for the Element 3's then. Nice.

I was thinking Akebono pads, but saw mixed reactions. I thought they were the OE for Mazda so figured safe bet. Then saw the Element 3's were a hybrid ceramic / semi-metallic so figured that would be an upgrade to the stopping power over just ceramics, so definitely leaning that way.

My Akebono ProACT ceramic pads will still trigger ABS even with tires far better than what comes on the car. So I don't think you'll reduce stopping distances with any brake pad upgrade.

 

[Jmaz]

I remember reading (during my brake pad research) that those dust a lot.

The Element 3 EHT actually don't generate that much dust. More then OEM but nothing like the old semi metallic. I'll gladly take the increased dusting to gain better braking over the OEM. I've mentioned before about my dissatisfaction with Proacts. It's like the Proact mantra gets repeated and that's why I tried them. Although I haven't tried too many full ceramics, I haven't been impressed with any, Mazda included. The Element 3 EHT are really about the minimum braking grip that I want. The coefficient of friction codes for the front pads are GG (vs FF OEM) and GH for the rear.

 

[Jmaz]

So that's two votes for the Element 3's then. Nice.

I was thinking Akebono pads, but saw mixed reactions. I thought they were the OE for Mazda so figured safe bet. Then saw the Element 3's were a hybrid ceramic / semi-metallic so figured that would be an upgrade to the stopping power over just ceramics, so definitely leaning that way.

If considering the Element 3 EHT (EHT--hybrid, not plain Element 3 full ceramic), you may want to get them sooner than later because the parent company for Raybestos has filed for bankruptcy which may cause supply issues. Try Rockauto, maybe Amazon-- I got good prices from both.
Regarding my experience with Akebono, in real cold weather I almost had to stand on the brakes for the first stop or two. Even in warm weather driving I felt that they just required more pedal effort for the amount of braking force. But then my biased self thinks that full ceramics are SH*T compared to semi-metallics anyway. Pads are cheap so the longer life and less dusting of full ceramic is less important to me than good braking. We all have our preferences.

 

[N7turbo]

More then OEM

That is all I needed to see

Had a lot of dust from the OEM pads.

Regarding the cold weather comments, I have driven my ProACTs through 0°F weather recently. No issues, didn't have to brake any harder than usual.

 

[Jmaz]

That is all I needed to see

Had a lot of dust from the OEM pads.

Regarding the cold weather comments, I have driven my ProACTs through 0°F weather recently. No issues, didn't have to brake any harder than usual.

I don't have an answer about our different experiences with the Proacts in cold weather except that they were on my previous car. Regarding dusting, I was amazed about the essentially no dusting when I bought my CX-5. Just a small amount of light gray that blended in with the silver wheels. Basically not noticeable.
IIRC, Mazda made a change in brake pads in later models (mine is a 2014) so maybe that's the reason you had "a lot of dust from the OEM pads". We could be talking about 2 different pad formulations with differing dusting characteristics.

 

[ruthrj]

I can’t explain the Proact discrepancy either. When I paired those with some carquest coated rotors, stopping performance for me was like N7’s experience. Could’ve knocked a … well, I’ll leave the expressions to your imagination.

 

[zx10guy]

I'm not a fan of machining rotors. Even though you'll get more of a "level" flat surface, you're removing material from the rotor which reduces the heat capacity of the rotor. And depending on your driving habits, that reduced heat capacity can lead to early onset of warping the rotors again.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

Thanks for the input all. Thinking I might try the Brembo rotors with the Element 3 pads. Thoughts?

The shipping is about $32. Not bad really, under $300 for everything.

 

[N7turbo]

Just a small amount of light gray that blended in with the silver wheels.

Brake dust on my 2023 Turbo was brown to reddish brown. The color of the pad material, basically.

 

[ruthrj]

Thanks for the input all. Thinking I might try the Brembo rotors with the Element 3 pads. Thoughts?

The shipping is about $32. Not bad really, under $300 for everything.

View attachment 381379

You’ll have to paint the calipers to achieve the full Brembo benefit