Let me put it this way.

If some crazy mechanic all hopped up on speed came in the middle of the night and swapped out your OEM brake pads for the TRD pads, would you notice the next day going to work?

This should tell me if its worth it. I continue to be slightly disappointed with the OEM's bite and overall effectiveness.

 

No, I think there are better ones out on the market.

Are you planning to buy new rotors? or just turn the OEM ones?

Ive heard that TRD performance pad people have problems with squeaking. Some have found a solution to that though.

I would look into hawk pads or maybe some redstuff.

 

18k miles. Do you think I'd need to turn the rotors? I had not planned on it.

 

honestly you should turn the rotors every time you change pads.....no matter the milage as they have worn in to a mated surface with the original pad.

 

Doesnt turning them wear them down and make them not last as long?

Dont know because I've always just replaced the rotors but I feel 18k is too young to replace.

 

they only take a little off the surface to make is uniformly square again on the surfaces......at 18000 you should be able to turn them and drive another 20000 and then may even be able to have turned again,but woudl probably change out at that point........

 

yeah. if youre only at 18, theres plenty of meat left on those rotors. Your local shop can tell you exactly how many times you can turn them. Definitely atleast once for these new pads.


What pads can you guys recommend for me and the OP? I want something quite. I dont care about dust. Good bite is a must.

ebc redstuff?

 

Redstuff is great...I don't have experience personally but I have heard lots of positive feedback about them

 

I hate my TRDs. They've squeaked since the day of the install. I'm glad that I almost need new pads now.

 

trust me.. STICK WITH OEM's. I went with hawk.. I changed em out within 500miles cuz they were so damn loud n making so much dust. I just went back with OEM's. Another thing, dont turn your rotor just yet. use a coin to see how smooth it is. mines at 67k n i still havent turn it once. my mech checked em n he say it was still good. BUT I am going to turn em when my pads goes out.

 

I use stoptech and really like how they feel and stop my tC, I have no screecking at all just a little dust... You can really feel the diff.

 

As for as turning the rotors You only need to turn them if they have hot spots and or a lip or groved.... I had a Mercadi and they never turned the rotor's, if they were bad the would replace them..

 

Just the Stop Tech pads, right?

 

Unless you plan on doing a lot of racing, I'd strongly suggest going with the greenstuff instead. Redstuff is much more agressive, will wear your rotors much faster, and really need some heat in them before they're optimal. The greenstuff is a VERY agressive pad, even when cold, and they're able to take a lot of heat too, making it the best EBC pad for street & auto-x.

I'll have to replace my pads before long and haven't decided between EBC's newer "Ultimax" and their greenstuff, but am leaning toward the former, as they're less expensive (less agressive too) and should be easier to modulate than the latter.

 

What exactly are you doing that the OEM pads are not enough for you?

I autox'd on them for a couple years and had ZERO issues... and I guarantee they took more abuse there than your daily driving. And any aftermarket pad you go to will dust and squeal. Some more than others... but you won't like it.

I have Axxis Ultimates and am not happy with them. The bite is OK - but the dust and noise drive me crazy.

 

Relax bud.

I drive normal, usually pretty slow, until I just want to play. My oem pads just don't seem to grab all that well. So, I want better pads.

 

I have TRD brake pads and broke them in right and I have no squeaks, love them will buy them again when the time comes. Oh...I have R1 Concept premium slotted and drilled rotors.

 

You told him to relax after that post? Are you smoking something! LOL

 

stick with the oem there fine, if you want better brake response first start with steel brake lines and a better brake fluid.. I suggest bg brake fluid.. And as for your rotor ??.. You should always resurface your rotors before putting on a new set of brake pads. And using a penny to check them is bs, you cant see a run out on the rotor with a penny..you need a runout mic. putting a new set of pads on old rotors will cause you pads to wear to the rotors old surface, an d you want two nice flat surfaces for braking in new pads. And any mechanic that says just slap on the pads you'll be good, is a lousy mechanic... Its quick and easier to do but not the right way to do it. Remember your brakes are the only thing stopping your car when your playing around. Do it right the first time..

 

To rich for my blood....dealing with super quick brake fade....dirty rims that become un cleanable. corroded custom rims and TPMS, seized lug nuts, replacing rotors every time you get new pads, because the rotors have become un turnable due to the 'lip' on the rotor from the very abrasive pads. I rather down shift.