Best Brake Pads

[jajimo]

I thought W/T/S would be the closest related forum so I posted this hear.

The pads I have are cheap as hell and sound like shit (came with the car when I bought it). They squeak constantly (I've disassembled the rotor and inspected the pads, they're not worn down) and occaisionally when I brake, they sound as if they aren't grabbing the rotor enough and make a sort of crunkling sound.

I want to buy new pads, atlease for the front and I'm looking for ones that provide atleast OEM spec stopping power. Some performance would be great, but more importantly I'd prefer that they don't sound like shit. It's embarrassing when you drive somewhere and your brakes are squeaking like mad.

These are for a '94 Accord Sedan w/ABS.

[BullShifter]

I use EBC Green stuff on my Civic

Ceramic type pads will be the "best" type for street use. Just dont go overkill and get yourself some "race"pads. You'll never be able to keep them hot enough for them to function correctly.

Have your rotors resurfaced before installing new pads.

[CivicSiRacer]

That is one of the important things to resurface your rotors when you change the pads. Or at least sand them down with some 400 grit sandpaper.

What happens is the pad and rotor become "one" and when you throw on a new set of pads on the old rotors, the pads are not grooved to the old rotor.

I recommend AEM pads. I used them for 2 years with great results in autocrossing.

[jajimo]

I may do that, I was reading some reviews on the EBC Green Stuff and it seemed to be sort of hit and miss. Sometimes you get good ones, other times really shitty ones. Not a whole lot of reviews for AEM pads. Are they ceramic also? Noise is definitely an issue.

[SilverY2KCivic]

Originally Posted by jajimo

I may do that, I was reading some reviews on the EBC Green Stuff and it seemed to be sort of hit and miss. Sometimes you get good ones, other times really shitty ones. Not a whole lot of reviews for AEM pads. Are they ceramic also? Noise is definitely an issue.

Chalk another for AEM pads, I use them currently on my Civic as well and auto-X with them. They are basically similar to the OEM pads that Honda sells, but they have a slightly more aggressive compound they use to allow them to "bite" better and allow you to stop more efficently. I paired them to a set of Power Slot rotors. Mine I've never heard a single squeak or even sound from since I've had them. I'd recommend those (can be had for a good price from www.coximports.com) or the Hawk HPS pads that can be had from any Pep Boys store. The Hawks run about $40-$50 depending on the car, and the AEM's should be about $5 cheaper.

[knucklebuster2]

Noise is created by vibration. Although it may be from the pad material, it is also from poor condition brake hardware, rotor finish, loose or missing shims. My best experience has been with ceramic based pads. Most brake manufacturers have a ceramic line. My favorite is Raybestos. They also come with shims, anti rattle hardware and caliper lube. Whenever you use pads with shims, don't use brake squeal stop (spray-on or paste.) This will adhere to the shim and pull it away from the pad which will cause noise. Just use a little caliper lube on the back of the shim and you'll be fine. Proper rotor finish is also important for long pad life, proper braking (and pad brake-in) and no noise. Good luck!