Recommendations for new brake pads?

[dlarkin_dc]

Time for some new brake pads. What's the recomendations these days.. OE, Wagner, Akebono...? I see there's been large move to ceramic from manufacturers, less dust and all but bite is lower and with a sometimesfully load up car that doesnt sound good.

 

[LittleTaxi5]

I really liked the centric semi metallic pads on my Mazda 2 and will be putting them on my 5 later this summer. Cheap and stop nice, especially before the pads get heat in them and in the wet

More Information for CENTRIC 10210440

 

[Silentnoise713]

Are you looking for brands to research or a line to buy? All mfg make products in a wide ranges or quality/purpose so this is too subjective.

My bias opinion is Hawk street 5.0 followed by Akebono, which is OEM but NOT the value line.
OR, buy what you can catch on sale

 

[Silentnoise713]

I really liked the centric semi metallic pads on my Mazda 2 and will be putting them on my 5 later this summer. Cheap and stop nice, especially before the pads get heat in them and in the wet

More Information for CENTRIC 10210440

Centric is fine (esp their HD series) but absolutely do not recommend the C-Tek, bottom of the line, stuff. I firmly believe they are only meant for people to slap on to sell used cars to say 'new brake job' or can't afford a dollar more and just need to get by. Brakes matter. Equality important, get brake fluid flush and proper bleeding.

102.xxx C-Tek semi-metallic
103.xxx C-Tek ceramic

Centric Parts | Brakes | Rotors & Drums | Cars & Trucks

Centric Parts Sets the Standard for Quality and Innovation in Braking Technology and is well-respected for our Pioneering Approach and thought Leadership.

www.centricparts.com

 

[dougsey]

I did Raybestos Element 3 last time. I think they're pretty decent for short money.

 

[Lazy2.5]

I have transit auto brakes on my 6, which I believe are cheap brakes. I've had no issues with them. Then again, I am a conservative driver and do a lot of coasting/engine braking.

Over the winter, the front rotors have accumulated quite a bit of deposits which don't seem to be coming off with a couple harder stops.

Unless you plan to regularly put yourself into situations where slamming on your brakes in an emergency is totally necessary, I'm sure that ceramics will be just fine.

 

[dlarkin_dc]

Are you looking for brands to research or a line to buy? All mfg make products in a wide ranges or quality/purpose so this is too subjective.

Yes! Its a minefield of mystery brands with a handful of options and quality tiers.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Yes! Its a minefield of mystery brands with a handful of options and quality tiers.

Browsing rockauto? Some (most) brands don't actually make their products and sell relabeled products from 'various' manufacturers +markup. Google "who makes ____ pads" or ask in BITOG forum. Sometimes you can easily tell b/c they would use the same underlying part number + a few distinct letters.

It's been awhile but the top 'performance' brands are DBA, EBC, Hawk, Akebono. They all offer different variations of pads for different usage, but most variations are not avail for the Mazda 3/5 (not a sports car).

For most folks, any pad will work for DD, esp if you are a cautious driver. What you need to debate/determine (call it insurance) is what do you want for situations when you DO need to stop in an emergency b/c you can't control other people's stupidity. A few feet (@HWY) difference separates avoiding an accident, from a fender bender, from a major collision. Pads that do stop well often create a lot of dust, have a short life (b/c it wears away), squeal until it reaches ideal temp, eats cheap rotors, while costing a hefty penny.
Example, note how the brake friction does not increase until it is within ideal temp, and while at say 500*, friction can vary a lot. https://www.tirerack.com/brakes/tes...R9u-fnByEwiyNX3NNCqqt8O4XtoVuoyUHXJO40tnScqGL

TLDR:
Ceramic is best compromise. Buy something mid-tier for street use, YGWYPF.

 

[dougsey]

One that I will never use again is Power Stop ceramic. Those pads left deposits on the rotors that resulted in obnoxious shudder.

 

[dlarkin_dc]

One that I will never use again is Power Stop ceramic. Those pads left deposits on the rotors that resulted in obnoxious shudder.

I think it was power stop that was put on last time - dusty, squealling in reverse stopping, and braking at highway speeds fully loaded could be butt clenching moments. That's what has me avoiding 3rd party rebrand junk this time around.

 

[dlarkin_dc]

Browsing rockauto? Some (most) brands don't actually make their products and sell relabeled products from 'various' manufacturers +markup. Google "who makes ____ pads" or ask in BITOG forum. Sometimes you can easily tell b/c they would use the same underlying part number + a few distinct letters.

It's been awhile but the top 'performance' brands are DBA, EBC, Hawk, Akebono. They all offer different variations of pads for different usage, but most variations are not avail for the Mazda 3/5 (not a sports car).

For most folks, any pad will work for DD, esp if you are a cautious driver. What you need to debate/determine (call it insurance) is what do you want for situations when you DO need to stop in an emergency b/c you can't control other people's stupidity. A few feet (@HWY) difference separates avoiding an accident, from a fender bender, from a major collision. Pads that do stop well often create a lot of dust, have a short life (b/c it wears away), squeal until it reaches ideal temp, eats cheap rotors, while costing a hefty penny.
Example, note how the brake friction does not increase until it is within ideal temp, and while at say 500*, friction can vary a lot. https://www.tirerack.com/brakes/tes...R9u-fnByEwiyNX3NNCqqt8O4XtoVuoyUHXJO40tnScqGL

TLDR:
Ceramic is best compromise. Buy something mid-tier for street use, YGWYPF.

As a Virginia driver, defensive driving is probably why I'm still alive. It's an asylum on the roads here. Like a real life interactive dashcam video forum. Thanks for that tirerack test, very interesting!

 

[Shuswap]

I've been quite satisfied with the Element 3 pads on my other vehicles and I'll put them on the 5GT when the time comes. I drive in an entirely spirited manner and brakes are absolutely not the place to cut corners. Nice, because the Element 3 pads are very reasonably priced as well.

 

[Silentnoise713]

One that I will never use again is Power Stop ceramic. Those pads left deposits on the rotors that resulted in obnoxious shudder.

Pre 2000s, Power Slot and Stop Tech were two of the most recognized names. Out of nowhere came this brand call Power Stop and it confused quite a lot of people. Name is certainly clever and sounds impressive, and they were WAY cheaper than established brands.

FWIW, both Power Slot and Stop Tech are now under the Centric conglomerate.