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I just bought the car, but with 112k miles and very little recent use, the brakes didn't feel good at all. Since I have all winter to work on it, one of the first things I've done is a full brake replacement: rotors, pads and fluid.
I went the Tire Rack route: Centric Plain 120 Series Rotors and Akebono pro-act ceramic pads.
I'm not looking to win any races, just get better, smoother and more consistent braking. I'll report back to this forum in March or April... :-)
You could paint your calipers while you have it broken down also. (There are a couple of threads on that on the forum.)
Yup, you are right, that would have been nice... maybe next time.
In any case, I first need to figure out what to do with the wheels. The 18" wheels with high profile Michelins the car came with simply doesn't do it for me...
I backed into my garage door with my daily driver the other day, so I've been driving the Lexus while they fix the trunk... which means, I was able to finally test the new brakes (I replaced the front rotors, all pads and the fluid).
BIG difference over what I had - they are much, much more progressive and smooth, the annoying dead spot in the pedal has all but disappeared, they make no noise whatsoever... I wish they had a bit more bite (maybe I should have gone for softer pads?), but they'll do for what I need, at least until the next brake service.
I'm still trying to be gentle when braking to let everything settle, so maybe when I get a bit more aggressive they'll perform differently?
I backed into my garage door with my daily driver the other day, so I've been driving the Lexus while they fix the trunk... which means, I was able to finally test the new brakes (I replaced the front rotors, all pads and the fluid).
BIG difference over what I had - they are much, much more progressive and smooth, the annoying dead spot in the pedal has all but disappeared, they make no noise whatsoever... I wish they had a bit more bite (maybe I should have gone for softer pads?), but they'll do for what I need, at least until the next brake service.
I'm still trying to be gentle when braking to let everything settle, so maybe when I get a bit more aggressive they'll perform differently?
I'm on it. Akebono recommends 500 miles of easy driving, so I started with some very gentle city driving for a few miles, then started highway commuting braking very softly and for increasingly longer periods of time....we'll see.
I've run Akebono pads on a couple of my cars in the past (as well as my Harley Truck)....Since they are a ceramic-composite, they take a little "bedding-in" until they perform up to their potential....about 500 miles sounds right. With brand new rotors, they might take just a little longer (the rotors need to bed in as well). Don't worry though, you won't ruin them if you need to make an emergency stop or two before then.
Once they settle in - they are outstanding.....one of the best lesser-known brake-pads on the market. I'm sold on them. The first time you have to hit them hard - you will be a believer.
BTW... they run extremely clean as well...almost zero brake dust.
I've run Akebono pads on a couple of my cars in the past (as well as my Harley Truck)....Since they are a ceramic-composite, they take a little "bedding-in" until they perform up to their potential....about 500 miles sounds right. With brand new rotors, they might take just a little longer (the rotors need to bed in as well). Don't worry though, you won't ruin them if you need to make an emergency stop or two before then.
Once they settle in - they are outstanding.....one of the best lesser-known brake-pads on the market. I'm sold on them. The first time you have to hit them hard - you will be a believer.
BTW... they run extremely clean as well...almost zero brake dust.
Thanks NamVet68, I hope you are right... so far I have seen no indications that you are not!
12-22-14, 07:46 PM
Brake Job Completed
