A couple months ago I was able to take advantage of an offer from EBC regarding "testing" some Yellowstuff pads. Not long after, I was contacted by someone at EBC and they mailed out a set of pads.

Finally got around to installing them today. Front and rear (adjusted my e-brake while I was back there too!). After the install I took off for a bit of bedding in. The documentation EBC included wasn't totally specific on their recommended process... so I just kind of winged it based on what I've read from a lot of other manufacturers.

I previously had some Axxis Ultimates all the way around. They were OK but dusted like crazy. After bedding these in (and seeing the smoke roll from the wheels) and then letting them cool off... they are MUCH nicer so far. The Ultimates started to feel like they were constantly faded or something. I just wasn't getting much bite out of them and the peddle felt kind of squishy (even after bleeding).

These EBCs bite right away and I have a lot more firm feel (at least that's what my head says). So far I like them. Sadly I won't get to try them with autox for another month or two (I'll be out of town for our test/tune and first event).

Will be taking a small road trip tomorrow and really get to gather my thoughts on them, but so far, I like the Yellowstuffs way better than the Ultimates. So far...

 

i got these installed too. got madd squeal though.

 

Mine are quiet right now. Did you install the little rubber-ish anti-squeal things that came with them though?

 

no i didnt, i put a lot of brake grease though. did you?

 

I didn't have any grease on hand but did use the included rubberish things.

 

Im thinking about getting the yellowstuff. what rubber things are you speaking of. Can you describe them so I know what to look for?

 

They're just little self adhesive pads that came with the brake pads that you stick to the back of them for anti-squeal stuff...

 

Hmm and I thought I was crazy. I too got that feeling with the Axxis pads. They don't bite as much as they used to initially.

 

ack, please remember the massive cost difference between the EBC yellows and the Axxis ULTs.

EBC Yellows
Front~ $100
Rear~ $70

Axxis ULTs
Front & Rear~ $100


IMO, the Axxis ULTs are the best bang for the buck.

Brake pad friction fading will occur with any brake pad that is overheated, street or race... this is why a majority race cars use slotted rotors to constantly graze the brake pads providing you a fresh brake pad compound surface.

However, the Axxis ULTs are near impossible to get anymore, ever since Centric Brakes (main brake component provider for a lot of companies) stop carrying the Axxis line-up and decided to promote their line-up of StopTech High Performance Street brake pads.

Since I couldn't find any Axxis ULTs online or local I decided to give in and tryout the Stoptechs.

So far imo, the stoptech provide good heat fade resistance for occasional spirited driving; they may hold up for a few minor autox runs. Brake bite is not as hard as the Axxis ULTs but it does have good linear stopping power (i've read about a few of you guys having trouble with ABS kicking in when using the Axxis ULT so this may be a good option to tryout considering the braking is linear with the stoptechs).
The stoptechs do not dust nearly as much as the ULTs, but they do dust (using them with drilled/slotted rotors).

The only problem I had with the Axxis ULTs is that they squeak and create a crap load of brake dust. Pad life is not that great either, but like I said, best stopping power for the buck and they hold up fairly well for track or autox.

I still need to do some constant hard braking runs on these stoptechs to determine if they are really autox or track worthy.

 

I've used them on auto-x, and the heat resistance is very good (got brake fade with stock pads). I think the bite is pretty good also.

 

Do you even use your rear brakes, other then for parking?

 

Which brake pads are you talking about? Stoptechs, Axxis, or EBC? I'm interested in your opinion, if you're talking about the stoptechs.

Our rear brakes are a disc/drum combo (not the correct term)... the drum part is actually used for the parking brake while the disc brakes are used for stopping.
i assume you said this because you don't think it's neccesary to change the rear with high performance brake pads however if you do this, you'll be upsetting the balance of your brakes.

 

Stoptechs. Have a set of EBCs, but they won't go on until the Stoptechs are near dead.

 

Little different but I have the ebc red stuff and they are very nice as well. Feels like I can stop on a dime compared to old ones. Also grabbed there cheaper slotted rotors and they are good too. All under 400.

 

I never fully understood the brake system. When applying the brake, does the rear come into effect as well? I know in awd systems, they have a 60/40 ratio, where the front brakes lock first and then gradually the rear brakes follow will lesser force. I ask a couple of times but people just ignore my question. I assume the majority of the population are clueless as well.

 

Yes the rear brakes do apply some stopping power but the front takes most of the load hence the larger rotors and calipers.

 

Ack, is the installation of the rear pads the same as the fronts?

 

As long as your not doing rotors, then yes its essentially the same.

 

keep us updated on how they do in autocross i am curious about these. I had axxis ultimate previously and had the same problems, they felt as if they were fading all the time. Also I would drive down the street and have to clean my wheels!! However, I have stoptechs now, great pads.

 

would it make a difference if i change the front pads only to the yellow stuff and kept the rear stock pads,or would you have to change front and rear if you want the good pads,since as someone mentioned we use the front brakes more then rear,just curious